The Emperor of Ocean Park - Stephen L Carter
Somehow I've ended up with an 'Uncorrected Book Proof' of this book, the debut novel of Stephen L Carter. I don't think that changes much from the final copy (except maybe that certain typos I noticed have probably been fixed) but I thought it was interesting enough to mention.
Stephen L Carter is an author I know very little about, other than that he also wrote The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln, a novel I have previously read and reviewed for this blog. I enjoyed that book, and so when I saw this going cheap in an Op Shop I decided to take a chance on it.
I'm glad I did.
Talcott Garland, the youngest son of Judge Oliver Garland, is slowly drawn in to a mystery after his father is found dead with what appears to have been a heart-attack. As early on as the funeral Talcott is approached by various shadowy figures demanding to know what 'the arrangements' are, and refusing to take Talcott at his word when he says he has no idea. Mysterious messages, break-ins, and puzzles abound, with Talcott also having to cope with his struggling marriage to a possibly unfaithful wife and his job as a university professor. The story is quite gripping and well written, with numerous twists and turns throughout its 656 pages, and at times it really surprised me with particular revelations. Certain mysteries linger on late into the book, and even in the last few chapters there are moments I did not see coming.
So, a very well written book.
But also...
Another element I enjoyed in this story was the perspectives of Talcott and those around him on life, politics, and faith. Talcott's father was a black conservative American judge, and those in his circle of acquaintances include a pastor and a conservative lesbian, leading to some very interesting conversations or internal monologues on various topics, especially as Talcott himself is 'centre' enough to critique both sides. At one point, for example, Talcott is volunteering at a soup kitchen and reflecting on the lives of the broken people coming through the doors: "This is what conservatives have spawned with their welfare cuts and their indifference to the plight of those not like themselves, say my colleagues at the university. This is what liberals have spawned with their fostering of the victim mentality and their indifference to the traditional values of hard work and family, my father used to tell his cheering audiences. In my sour moments, it strikes me that both sides seem much more interested in winning the argument than in alleviating these women's suffering." (page 154)
With thought provoking touches like this on top on an already intriguing and twisty story, I really enjoyed this book and, as I said about the last book I read by this author, I will look forward to reading more of his work.
Completed 16 December 2020.
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