Customer Reviews

Coiled in the Heart

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I knew nothing about this book until I saw it featured in a book review of our Sunday newspaper. I am very glad that I purchased and read this book.

This new author has not published some "spy or mystery" novel as so many other authors need to do; rather, he has purlished a wonderful book about conflicts of people, young and old, parents and children, children and children, and man and woman. His descriptons of the places and characters of his book are detailed and wonderful and keep the reader in "visual" contact with the story. The emotions of the characters and the subtle twists of fate are very believable by the reader.

This is a wonderful read. It is a great change from the standard and mostly predictable books that are now being published and affords the reader with an enjoyable story and time spent with the characters.

It is unfortunate that this novel is a first time book by an unknown author. If it was published by a more famous author it would receive the attention it deserves. I just hope that Mr. Elliott does not attempt to revert to standard story lines in his next book, one that I will be anticipating.

Elliott's characters are rich with emotion and detail without being overwrought. Not only is this an entertaining read, but it has something important to say about being human. A must read!

"Coiled in the Heart" sweeps the reader along with its melancholy nostalgia -- the Big E's lyrical passages are worth revisiting again and again. Elliott builds his wonderfully poignant story of loss and penance to an ending that is both hopeful yet enigmatic; we hope for the best for our hero, yet we can't help fearing the worst.

Told in a series of flashbacks from the present day to events in the distant and not-too-distant past, Tobia's story is one of struggling to overcome several obstacles -- the weight of family history, the adoration lavished on a sports hero who doesn't feel the same love for the game, the hurdle of his own potential, and, worst of all, the crushing guilt of a dirty trick gone horribly, horribly wrong. At times almost paralyzed by fear and self-doubt, Tobia seeks for his true calling and is always asking the deep question -- is this what I am meant to do? Fortunately for the reader, Tobia is suffuciently opaque that what often appears to be the easy answer just isn't enough.

"Coiled in the Heart" would have received five stars, but Elliott made two of his less-than-admirable characters, the Goodhopes, Carolina and Duke grads, and as any Southerner knows, some things are just unforgiveable.

This book was an utterly gripping read. Not only is the scenery vivid and the characters feel like people you've known you're whole life, but it's a thrilling emotional roller-coaster! Elliot creates a world filled with deep emotions and I couldn't pull away from it once I started reading. A great book. Glad I stumbled across it. You should read it!

This novel came my way in an accidental way. My daughter, a freshman at the time at Western Kentucky University, was invited to read the novel as a part of the "One Book, One Campus, One Community" initiative. She passed it along to me shortly after the event was staged.

What an in-your-face reminder of mid-list gems!

"Coiled in the Heart" reminds the reader of the serpent lore present in Appalachian studies. Woven through the novel are questions of accountability, culpability and guilt, entertainingly and expertly told.

Scott Elliott was billed as a "bold new Southern voice" when the novel was released. Belatedly writing this review is a kick in the pants to see what he's been up to; it's sure to be a worthwhile read that's hopefully taking Elliott beyond mid-list.

The pivotal scene at the river, to name but one highlight, is unforgettable. Elliott is a fine writer.