 Filled with sorrowfulness, nuances and pathos as well as tranquility, elation and anticipation; The Dog of The World carries the reader along on a tentative journey teetering on the brink of disconcert.
Reviewed by Molly Martin
The Dog of The World
by S.E. Karsnick
Breathing River (Lulu.com)
ISBN: 615202297
S.E. Karsnick's The Dog of the World begins with a question, “Is this the ocean? Mom … Mumma! Is this the ocean? Mom!” It was a question unanswered until Esther, Esty moved to fill in the blank. She explained that it was a lake. Esther had always told herself she did not care much for kids, and, to be very frank, this little boy wasn’t doing much to change her mind. The work continues as Esther ponders the kid, his mother, her surroundings, her running, and white walls. Esty took responsibility for her life, such as it was. She was a runner, she ran.
Moving on, the reader next comes face to face with Jason; who awoke one fateful morning following a torturous episode of pressure and pushing back until he was able to smile at the dog of the world, and high rise structures, and low rent buildings, feeling intact and certain, and more or less serene. As their anecdotes and lives meet, become entwined and reel forward; the reader is caught up in the highs, lows, frenzy and quiet that surround the pair, in addition to the act of suicide which many turn to in despair.
First written in 1983 as a short story; the author says, the work was based on dreams and an intuitive leap the author made at that time as well as because of the subject matter. The Dog of The World is not a story book per se, it is not a jolly, feel good read. It is a read meant to move the reader to greater perspective, understanding and appreciation of the world of those who suffer depression.
Filled with sorrowfulness, nuances and pathos as well as tranquility, elation and anticipation; The Dog of The World carries the reader along on a tentative journey teetering on the brink of disconcert. The writer assures us that this is a work of fiction, however, for many for whom depression is a near overpowering force; the work may seem as a page from their own perceptive.
Karsnick captures the hopes and worry and fears, successes and failures of those who suffer from depression in a manner sure to keep the reader turning the page to learn what Esther, Jason and life itself will bring to fore next. Not always an easy read, The Dog of The World will cause the reader to have flashes of retrospective moments, the ah ha insight as they see behaviors, their own or that of others they have known suddenly become clearer and a greater appreciation for what the life of those who do face depression daily, meet it head on, and sometimes win the battle must endure.
Reviewed by: molly martin
www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin
www.AuthorsDen.com/mjhollingshead
20+ years classroom teacher
|
