Sterling Watson

Night Letter is the story of Travis Hollister, an eighteen-year-old boy just released from the reform school where he has been institutionalized for the past six years. His first act of freedom was a reckless defiance of the institution’s psychiatrist. It endeared him to me immediately. His made an abortive attempt to connect with his mother in California, but decides to head south to Florida where his father lives, more importantly, it’s where his aunt Delia lives.

You learn quite early that Travis and Delia had an inappropriate relationship when he was twelve. He’s still in love, obsessed, but she is married. Will he come to terms with his past crimes and his love for Delia? Luckily, there are a few people who provide him the love and friendship he so desperately needs. There’s the chef Emil who sacrifices a lot for Travis. There’s Dawnelle who wants more from Travis than he can responsibly offer. There’s the widow whose cabin he rents who is willing to add some additional benefits.

Night Letter was a tough book to read. It has the elements of the Southern Gothic noir novel. When I realized early on what happened between Travis and Delia, I put the book away for a long time. I just didn’t want to read about it. However, the book is more about love and redemption despite its difficult elements. I love the atmospheric writing. I love how complex the characters are. Even Travis’ stepmother, with the smallest role, was multi-dimensional. That’s the kind of book I like reading in spite of the subject matter.

I received an ARC of Night Letter from Akashic Books through LibraryThing.

Night Letter at Akashic Books
Sterling Watson at Writers In Paradise


https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2023/10/06/night-letter-by-sterling-...… (plus d'informations)

I received this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

As a fan of both Florida fiction and works set in small southern towns in the recent past, this novel was a perfect fit for me. I was somewhat concerned that as a follow up to Sweet Dreams Baby, Night Letter would be disappointing. However, this sequel left me very satisfied. Sterling Watson's ability to capture the feel of a small southern town and the authentic dialogue he's written, makes this book delightful. Though I questioned some of the decisions our hero makes, and wished for more exploration and depth to his current relationship with Delia, I was drawn into the story and kept turning the page for more. In fact, I'm eagerly awaiting a third installment to the story which will tell us more about the ambiguous relationship he has with Dawnel.

Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Mocklingbird-esque fiction about coming of age in small souther towns, but vehemently recommend it to anyone interested in well-written Florida fiction. Watson is a state treasure and should be more widely know.… (plus d'informations)

Bildungsroman is my favorite type of story, for the psychological richness and depth it offers the reader. Is there anything more satisfying than following a child as he grows up, and through adversity and struggles, matures to adulthood? Not for me.

While it's true that Watson's story about Travis Hollister is that of a young adult, we can appreciate that because of Travis' incarceration in juvie for 6 years, his growing up has been stunted. As a result, when he ages out of the system, his 18-year-old self is more like a 14-year-old troubled teen: unsure of where he fits into the world, he searches for home and for his place in it, first seeking out his psychologically challenged mother, and then crossing the country back to find the object of his obsession, his Aunt Delia, with whom he had a torrid love affair that ended violently with an action that put Travis in juvie to begin with.

Back in Florida, he rejoins old bonds as he finds his father (remarried) and his Delia (also married now), but he also forges new connections, with co-workers, landladies, and new possible paramours. Travis's journey in this novel takes him through the conflict of trying to reconcile his new bonds and his old. His old self pulls him back towards his old history, habits, and foibles, while his new bonds lead him forward toward a future he's not quite ready to face.

I found Travis's voice mesmerizing in its honesty, open yearning, and wisdom despite his age. The character is fully believable and fully drawn. The writing is crisp and the setting atmospheric and noir-ish. I did not expect to be pulled in so masterfully.… (plus d'informations)