Author: Kathleen Maher
Publisher: Beekman Press (August 1, 2012)
Medium: Kindle
Goodreads Synopsis:
Never marry a Boy Scout.
When Zachary Severins, dedicated Scoutmaster and community leader, is caught cheating on his wife, she divorces him, his children lose respect for him, and his mistress spurns him. As Zach's personal life crumbles, his professional career begins to follow. Only after Zach loses everything does he start to learn the true meaning of friendship, love, and responsibility.
Underground Nest, a short novel, is contemporary fiction with a sharp sense of humor but a soft heart for its characters.
It's been so long since I've done a Reader Radar segment. Part of it was my fault for not digging deeper for the short stories and novellas, so I did what any great procrastinator does and wait for stuff to drop in my lap. Then, there in my inbox, was an opportunity that I am so glad that I did not pass up, along with proving to myself that good things do come to those who wait.
Underground Nest may be a mere 82 pages long, but it has more jam packed into those few pages than many full length novels I've read. The one thing that stood out most for me is that Maher (whether intentionally or not) crafted her story to touch, ever so lightly in some cases, on each of the seven deadly sins. I found this to be very interesting, because it was so subtle for me, and honestly it didn't really hit me until I started to write this review, and I actually questioned myself, and probably will continue to do so. But, I'm going to leave it out there.
I finished Underground Nest during my lunch break this afternoon with mixed feelings. Part of me was filled with glee, while another part was heartbroken, while another part was disgusted because of how much Zach wasted and thew away. Without giving anything away, this little novella will fill your senses, tease your brain, and give the Boy Scout motto of "be prepared" an entire new meaning.
If you are short on time, Underground Nest is the perfect read for you. You will not be disappointed. I take that back, you might be a little disappointed, but not in the novella one bit. A must read. Kathleen Maher is most definitely on my Reader Radar - I'm very interested to see what else she has to offer.
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| Underground Nest |
I like short novels for reading at night. I will keep an eye out for this. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteCurrently it's free for Amazon Prime members, and 99 cents for everyone else. A bargain, and worth much more.
ReplyDeleteShort fiction definitely has it's place. For me it's lunchtime.
Thank you for reviewing Underground Nest. I hadn’t thought of the Seven Deadly Sins but they’re in there. That’s why I believe no story’s finished until someone reads it. This one’s unlike most of my stories in that I started it as an answer to all the bullies and blowhards I’ve argued with all my life. After I started writing about Zach, though, I sympathized with him.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Kathleen!
ReplyDelete