Customer Reviews

Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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?

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.

Take the character work of A Separate Peace, toss in the humorous approach of Tom Robbins, add just a dash (OK, a dash and a half) of Lenny Bruce's tongue, and what do you get?

I have to admit that at first I didn't enjoy reading Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna at all. I got hung up on the first chapter, in which the main character, Gerard, does some things that I kept thinking a character should not do. Because of this, I found myself unable to suspend disbelief over the ensuing chapters.

But then I figured out my problem -- the fixation on what "a character should not do" was based on being stuck in American fictional cliches, and Slentz-Kesler's main character isn't a cliche. So I went back to the beginning and read Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna without preconceptions about what "should" happen and what "shouldn't" happen in the plot. And you know what? I found that what I'd thought were discrepancies were actually essential parts of the story of Gerard, who he is, and how his physical and personality changes occur within the crucible of basic training. I got it, and once I got it, I really liked it.

My point? Try to shove Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, and Anna into a pigeonhole and you'll be frustrated. But let the novel unfold on its own terms and you'll grok it and enjoy it. I recommend this novel for a time when you're feeling flexible and fluid.

I did not expect to be interested in military training and diamond cutting, but this novel is engaging and fun. Characters are somewhat familiar and surprising at the same time. The language, even the Flemish, flows and the images are sharp. Startling moments and new perspectives. I have added this to my favorites.

Fun to read, full of convincing details, snappy dialogue, and intriguing threads about the inter-related characters. I loved getting a sense of what basic training is like, especially for a "fish out of water" like the over-educated Gerard. But while you'll get plenty of hilarious drill sergeant-isms here, this book has plenty more on offer: sex, diamond polishing, epiphanies about childhood, dysfunctional family dynamics, cuckoldry, classical music. A finely-wrought tale!

Outstanding read, very enjoyable, had trouble putting it down except when my glass was empty. No seriously it's a great book, especially if you ever spent some time at the Ft. Benning School for boys.

J. Mager
Bravo 2/325 AIR
90-94


Why am I being asked if I am over the age of 13 on this thing?

Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna is a novel about a man named Gerard who is in his last year of college and not sure what he wants to do with his life. His fiance, Sylvia, keeps harping on him to decide on a job after they graduate. One day Gerard finds letters addressed to Sylvia from a guy she had an affair with. This sets up the decision Gerard finally makes.

Gerard decides to enlist in the army. This is when all the fun starts in this novel. I am not familiar with military life so I found the story very interesting and funny. The language is very colorful yet I can see why it would be. Seeing how the men are treated by the drill sergeants and other enlisted men I can see how they would talk like they do.

I enjoyed the story even though I felt that in some parts it dragged a little and I would have to push my way through the story. The book did get very interesting towards the end just before the men graduated from the infantry. If you are one that does not like colorful language and vulgarities then this is not a book for you.

I like to read thought provoking books with well laid, subtle clues pointing towards the writer's message. The more ah-ha moments, the more stars I give. SRMA was full of ah-ha moments, which prodded a slew of emotions from me while introducing me to new worlds. I have observed the hell that new recruits are subjected to during basic training, and now, I understand and can appreciate the reasoning for those nearly unbearable three months. I am also now privy to the world of diamond cutting. The protagonist's maturation is brilliantly portrayed through the evolution of his perception of himself and the others in his life. Gerard is complicated; a sensitive soul, but tough and brave as well. I would recommend this novel to most.

Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna
Hannah's House

Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (10/07)


"Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna" is a great book and not at all what I expected. With a title that lists four female names, I was assuming that the story was about women friends or a story about a man with lots of girlfriends. The author cleverly addresses this issue with the statement "...and with the title `Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna' you might be suckered into thinking that much of the action doesn't take place in an army infantry training unit in Georgia." And I was suckered! Even though this statement is part of a rambling narrative about the book that is on the front and back cover totally replacing any cover art or traditional book cover text.

The main character, Gerard Kelderman is graduating from college with a major in music and a minor in religious studies. He is an outstanding cello player and has learned the art of diamond cutting from his father who is a Master in the field. He is engaged to Sylvia and they plan to move to Colorado after college so that she can go to graduate school. Yet as the book opens, we find Gerard's life in turmoil over the fact that he has found out Sylvia had an affair with another man. In his emotional state, Gerard makes a rash decision to enlist in the army.

The story follows Gerard's life in basic training and his thoughts back to his previous life and his childhood. He finds standing at attention gives him plenty of time to think and he brings up repressed memories from his childhood, specifically memories surrounding the death of his sister.

I would not normally pick up a book about army cadets and their experiences in basic training. I am not interested in reading about gun parts, bivouacs, macho talk, and the verbal abuse given by Drill Sergeants. But this book surprised me. Although all the above topics were included, the book was more about the relationships between the cadets. Author, Robert Slentz-Kesler was able to create characters that I enjoyed getting to know. And he was able to weave the storylines of the present and the past together into a seamless novel.

I am so glad I read this book! I feel like I have a better understanding now of the teamwork that is necessary in the army, and why the Drill Sergeants yell so much. I recommend "Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, Anna" to anyone who loves to read. No matter what genre you like, this book is a delight. Find out for yourself who Sylvia, Rachel, Meredith, and Anna are, and how they fit into a story about a group of male soldiers.

Book received free of charge.