Kelly Simmons has written a novel called Standing Still. It is a novel filled to the brim with all kinds of fears that a woman can have; both real and imagined.
A wife, a mother, a daughter who is so consummed by the fears that she faces daily that she almost forgets how to “live”. Her life is dictated by those fears. When one of the things she fears most happens…she sacrifices herself for one of the most basic reasons…motherly instinct.
A man breaks into her home…she discovers him as he is attempting to kidnap her young daughter. She offers herself in place of her child out of a need to protect her child…at the same time…wondering if she will survive this very real threat.
In the days to come, her heart and her mind examines her life and her priorities. She confronts some of her fears as she almost “rests” in the captivity caused by her kidnapper.
Secrets from Claires past have held her hostage. She used to be a fearless writer, an insatiable reporter, a woman who was constantly on the move, a woman not willing to be tied down in life. She has built an invisible wall all around her family. Her husband has become distant and she no longer feels as if she knows who he is or what he wants or needs from her. Will their marriage survive…will she survive this ordeal?
How is it that the kidnapper understands her better than her own husband. He knows her likes and dislikes. He nurtures her and he protects her from others who wish to inflict violence…and yet, he hits her. How can they be friendly in a situation that is definately not supposed to feel safe?
This writer, Kelly Simmons, writes as if she has lived in this woman Claire’s head for a long time. She understands her …she has a connection to the way that the character Claire sorts through her turmoil. I found the conversational style of writing very inclusive…i felt as if i too, could understand how a woman in Claire’s position found the kidnapping situation, almost as if it were a sabbatical from her real life…a time to reflect and a time to induce changes. It is a good read.
Audition A Memoir, written by Barbara Walters, is a book filled with a fascinating look at a life that spans many cultural changes. Of course, there is the usual personal reflections and hints at the private person behind the public personna that we each have come to know; however, much of the public person is a carefully, trained personality that is politically correct in it’s presentation. There is more to learn about between the 977 pages of this book.
There is the fiercely loyal daughter, and seemingly embarassed sister, the supportive wife, schedule wised disconnected wife, friend, ambitious reporter, skilled writer, talented interviewer, supporter of the arts, mother, trailblaizer, and entrepeneur.
There is a lot of name tossing…however, someone with a career like Barbara Walters has had, is based on the names and the celebrity status from the interviews of people and places that have a place in history.
There are wonderful pictures to give a glimpse into the private life of Ms. Walters. There are revelations that will endear you, will touch you, repel you, and intrique you based on your own personal values. But this book will not be boring, to most people, because of the wide variety of subjects Barbara has interviewed and interacted with over the years.
The book does make you feel like an insider at times; which i think was the point of the whole book. If it feels a bit self centered, in spots, i guess one has to assume that to have a long lived career like Ms. Walters has had, for as long as she has had; one must understand that to accomplish what she has accomplished…one must stay focussed on that very same career with intensity. If she has lost or lacked for anything, then, I think she considers that the cost of achieving her goals. Whether she feels that those things balanced out in the end she doesn’t really say. On the other hand, she seems to attribute much of her success to being lucky; rather than attributing her success to a determinedly chosen and executed plan.
Like her or not…you have to admit that Ms. Walters has had a significant impact on our culture and our history. She is at times inspirational and complex…as well as reflective, which is what most writers of a memoir hope to be able to achieve.
This book was published by Randomhouse and was copyrighted in 2008. You can view their site at: www.randomhouse.com/
Rainy’s Recommendations
