Dysfunctional family relationships, the diamond trade, diamond polishing, army basic training, cello music, cello instruction, choral music, meditation, Flemish swear-words, English swear-words (see warning on front cover), Flemish beer, Antwerp, northern Virginia, Fort Benning, laughter, sex, dreams, anger, comedy, grief, suppressed memory, climax, resolution.
Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
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Testosterone run amuck. --The Blotter magazine
About the Author
Robert Slentz-Kesler lives and writes in Durham, North Carolina. His work has appeared in the Blotter, the Urban Hiker, and Fiery Foods magazine.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Something for Everyone,
By Christina Shouse Tourino (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna (Paperback)
Slentz-Kesler's novel tracks the evolution of his hero, Gerard Kelderman, through college gradution, Army enlistment, and basic training. But this isn't simply about a man conquering external obstacles. Gerard is a Man with Feelings: he struggles with his weight (what a relief to see this happen to a male character instead of a female one), he is a sensitive musician, and he is coping with a repressed trauma. So the reader gets both pitch-perfect ensemble scenes of Army life, mined for every ounce of comedy (think of the mess hall, the exercises, the pranks, the resentments), and a psychological tale of Kelderman's loss and self-healing. Slentz-Kesler writes compassionately about each of his characters, and refuses overly simple explanations for the various kinds of trouble humans manage to stir up for themselves. Despite the Army context, he is more tender than profane: witness the warmth that the members of the Third Platoon develop for one another, a warmth that is not easy "boy's club" war movie stuff, since, among other things, they defend one another from crooked jewelry salesmen; or enjoy the many remembrances of the toddler, Anna, and her charming developmental quirks (After smacking her older brother, the narrator, "she would cup Gerard's face with both her hands and look him right in the eyes. 'You gonna be ok?'"). On top of all this, Slentz-Kesler includes interesting details about the diamond industry (my favorite bit explains when the cushion cut gave way to the brilliant cut and why), and just enough sex and violence to keep the plot driving. In short, there is something for everyone here.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I read all night in order to find out what happened next.,
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This review is from: Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna (Paperback)
As the wife of a US Marine I've spent many a year around the military community. The characters in this book are well developed, interesting and, in my experience, very believable people. The writing was easily understandable, the plot was never dull. I hope the author will follow up and tell us what happens after this book ends. Does the "he roe" go to jump school? Does he ever call Rachael or Sylvia? Does he realize any deeper feelings for Merideth? Does he take his cello to the DMZ? Please don't keep me waiting too long for the sequel, or another book that introduces me to a whole new group of characters. When's the movie being produced?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved the Book,
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This review is from: Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna (Paperback)
Pudgy cellist Gerard Kelderman, dazed by discovering his fiancee's infidelity, enlists in the army the day of his college graduation. His life is confetti. These bits catch the light inside Gerard. He is questioning everything, especially the death of his baby sister, years before.
The bootcamp scenario is a 5-star hoot, truly hysterical. But in the private zone (no pun intended), Gerard is turning over a lot of stones. This is a rich coming-of-age story. It looks hard at the pain of letting go - a member of Gerard's platoon is crazy with grief over his mother's death - and laughs at the persistent pratfall of youth. I love this book. It's one I'll re-read over time.
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Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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platoon guide, battle buddy, music parlor, platoon mates, range sergeant, seventeen letters, drill sergeant, reception station, platoon formation, airborne school, rifle marksmanship, polishing wheel, cello playing, company area, bivouac site Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Bravo Company, Evans Glen, Private Kelderman, Fort Benning, Warlord Three, Captain Fopp, Private Romberg, Gilberto Cardenas, Monroe Hill College, Second Platoon, Warlord Two, Rebecca Ward, Private Fuller, Warlord One, Willem Kelderman, Belden Academy, Private Parker, Fourth Squad, Margareta Van Leuven, Joske Vermeulen, Private Libby, West Dixon Road, Donald Meerschaum, Lodewijk Van Berckem, Private Wiley New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
platoon guide, battle buddy, music parlor, platoon mates, range sergeant, seventeen letters, drill sergeant, reception station, platoon formation, airborne school, rifle marksmanship, polishing wheel, cello playing, company area, bivouac site Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Bravo Company, Evans Glen, Private Kelderman, Fort Benning, Warlord Three, Captain Fopp, Private Romberg, Gilberto Cardenas, Monroe Hill College, Second Platoon, Warlord Two, Rebecca Ward, Private Fuller, Warlord One, Willem Kelderman, Belden Academy, Private Parker, Fourth Squad, Margareta Van Leuven, Joske Vermeulen, Private Libby, West Dixon Road, Donald Meerschaum, Lodewijk Van Berckem, Private Wiley New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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