Customer Reviews

Soul Like A River

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Soul Like A River is a superb first effort by author Jeff Stern. Like all good literature it presents itself on many levels, takes on dimensions perhaps even beyond the scope of the author's intent. Although the fate of the Florida River is pivotal to the story, it is much more than an ecological treatise. It goes deeper. People who live along the river, mostly generations of hispanic farmers, treat the river with the respect due to a termperamental relative from whom they hope to receive a significant inheritance. During times of flooding they may curse under their breath, but when the river flows calmly and the fields wave with green abundance, they adore the river like a lover. It flows as strong and familiar as the the blood in their veins.

When shortsigted engineers disrupt the natural course of the Florida River they jeopardize a way of life. Everything changes, becomes unpredictable, even dangerous. The enraged river rips away huge chunks of earth, swallows machinery. It exacts a terrible revenge upon the community that sought to control it.

In this book the course of human nature runs parallel to the river. Among the many notable characters Roscoe Snively stands out as a man whose true nature has been dammed and diverted by outside forces. His work is meaningless. The woman he is supposed to love and who professes to love him is constantly trying to reshape him. She does not intend harm. She believes that by liberating his deeper convictions, by getting him to take a stand on controversial issues, she can add substance to his character. Instead, her nagging expectations add to his frustrations and disillusionment.

The one great surprise in this book, which I do not want to spoil for the readers, is how in a single jump Roscoe leaps over a lifetime of taboos and finds the peace, love and validation he has always sought. And one of the lessons to the reader is the absolute power of unconditional love: when another asks nothing, expects nothing, gives total support and encouragement. When that rare event happens it doesn't really matter if the beloved fits acceptable social criteria.

The introduction of a broccoli shaped alien named Nister is a fun touch. I happen to like books where the paranormal and normal weave in and out of each other until you get dizzy and forget your notions of reality. Nister has endearing qualities: he bumbles, makes mistakes, occasionally dispenses good advise but mostly just wants to get home. His friendship with Roscoe is another instance of accepting the essence of another no matter what the packaging looks like. In the beginning Roscoe tries to kill Nister because of his strangeness. Soon, however, they become fast friends, concerned for each other's well being.

I believe this is an important book and should be widely read. The images are powerful. There were times when I had to put the book down just to catch my breath, to recover from a hard-hitting idea. The characters are sharply defined and multi-dimensional. Just as the Florida River searches and struggles to find it's true path, so do the people who live beside it. Watch the river closely and you may see yourself drift by.