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The Kept A Novel James Scott 9780062236739 Books

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The Kept A Novel James Scott 9780062236739 Books

I could sum up this review in three words: Worst. Ending. Ever.
I expected to like the book more than I did. I tried, I really tried; at times it had me. But other times it got so bogged down that it was hard to keep going. But that crappy ending...the ENTIRE book was about one thing, and then the last three pages where that ONE THING came to a head...were the most anticlimactic last pages of any book in recent memory. Totally made me regret even reading this.


Tags : The Kept: A Novel [James Scott] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Set in rural New York state at the turn of the twentieth century, superb new talent James Scott makes his literary debut with <em>The Kept</em>—a propulsive novel reminiscent of the works of Michael Ondaatje,James Scott,The Kept: A Novel,Harper,0062236733,Historical - General,Literary,Thrillers - Crime,Domestic fiction,Domestic fiction.,FICTION General,FICTION General.,Revenge,Revenge;Fiction.,AMERICAN HISTORICAL FICTION,FICTION Historical General,FICTION Literary,FICTION Thrillers Crime,FICTION Westerns,Fiction,Fiction - Historical,Fiction-Literary,FictionLiterary,FictionSagas,FictionThrillers - Crime,FictionWesterns - General,GENERAL,General Adult,Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945),New York,Sagas,United States,bisacsh

The Kept A Novel James Scott 9780062236739 Books Reviews

James Scott's writing demonstrates a powerful literary talent. He sweeps us into a world whose immediacy grips from beginning to end, with a relentless and focused pace toward a satisfying conclusion. Caleb's and his mother's goals' divergence are part of the plot twists, yet we believe in the strengthening of their bond even as their separate discoveries and hidden narratives threaten to break them apart. The painful silences shared by mother and son, highlighted by their awkward necessary alliance, resonate in a contemporary way. The novel probes the meaning of ethnicity, family, religion, community, industry and its collateral damages, sexual politics, and the fledgling sense of nation America all this without telling, simply showing in an incredibly gripping journey. Five stars for a remarkable, unforgettable story. Best I've read in years.
This is a chilling tale with many surprises and a lot of violence. I bought the book because this new author was being compared to Cormack McCarthy, a favorite author of mine. Indeed the story is gripping and there are some interesting turns of phrase and there are some twists and turns in the story that keep your engaged and shocked.
I give the writing less than five stars because I find the excessive and unending violence and pain to be finally annoying. And there are some, but very few, redeeming characteristics to these characters. Basically all are very flawed. It is hard to find goodness anywhere in this sad, sad tale. Practically every sin you can think of is packed in here. Even the hopes of the main characters are to find a way to murder the men who murdered their family. Or to be revealed in their own evil.
So no one in this story seems to have any concept of joy or love. A tiny bit of kindness creeps in here and there, but it is tiny and far apart and never gets nourished, only disappointed.
A well-written book, but I didn't care for the story. It wasn't the violence per se that bothered me--I'm a big fan of some pretty gory crime novels. But a crime novel holds out the hope that despite the graphic violence, there's probably going to be some kind of more-or-less satisfying end to the story. I could tell from the time the first body turned up that this story was not going to end well for the protagonist(s). The author has a lot of talent; this story just wasn't my cup of tea. I suppose I'd really give it 3.5 stars.
Like many other reviewers here, I was immediately taken in by not just the story itself, but also the method in which James Scott delivers it. Each element is presented in delicate layers and their purpose in the story is slowly brought into focus. It's this subtle and methodical delivery of each facet that drives 'The Kept' and draws the reader along in it's gentle but widening wake. The lead characters, Elspeth and Caleb endure some of the most grueling circumstances that you can't help but get caught up in their quest as they search out those who inflicted such misery on them. Watersbridge, where the majority of the story plays out, is also painted as a hardscrabble place that reflects the conditions of life in the early 1900's.

The problem I have with the book is that there seems to be a turning point for both of the main characters where their destiny should nudge them in a better direction, but Scott chooses to emphasize the negative undercurrent in the tale and has Elspeth and Caleb behaving in a manner that defies logic or expectations. Perhaps that what was intended all along? For me, it just didn't work. Otherwise, this was a decent read.
Ok...I'll tell you that this book is not what I expected when I began reading it. The author lets you into the life of a dysfunctional family, to say the least & takes you along their journey of growth. I really don't want to spoil the few surprises that are in the book but what I will say is that the author did a great job with his imagery. I felt the characters came to life through his storytelling and I really enjoyed his ability to be so descriptive in the scenes. This is a dark tale....I didn't know that when I began this book but it was able to hold my interest. I didn't understand why he had some of the religious references made throughout the book.....they didn't seem to fit however there were few times when it was relevant. I was disappointed in the ending...kinda wanted more after what both the mother & son had endured. The good thing about this book is that it keeps you reading while you are reading it but once you put it down you may need a little incentive to pick it back up. Not a bad read.....just need a little patience, don't get caught up in religious references and enjoy how vividly clear the author describes the scenes for you. Good luck!
To describe all that a mother and young son went thru while walking in a blizzard across frozen, barren land to find the killers of their family would be difficult. First of all the mother's survival after a near fatal gun shot wound was in the realm of miraculous. Suffering one insult after another made me pray they found who they were looking for. The story gripped me and I read with great interest.

Reaching the end I was stunned. I actually went back a few pages to reach the end again as I thought I had missed something. The end was such a disappointment I felt like I wasted my time reading this novel. The writing and descriptions occurring in great depth through out this book were well done but I would have loved to see a more satisfying ending for all they went through.
I could sum up this review in three words Worst. Ending. Ever.
I expected to like the book more than I did. I tried, I really tried; at times it had me. But other times it got so bogged down that it was hard to keep going. But that crappy ending...the ENTIRE book was about one thing, and then the last three pages where that ONE THING came to a head...were the most anticlimactic last pages of any book in recent memory. Totally made me regret even reading this.