The Wooden Sea: A Captivating Novel - Perfect for Book Clubs, Beach Reading & Literary Enthusiasts

I love to read, always have. I cast a wide net, and though I find pleasure in reading beloved authors, I am also on a constant hunt -- looking for a worthwhile mind to follow. A few months ago I "found" Jonathan Carroll, an American who has lived in Vienna for many years. Over the years I have "found" Richard Russo, Jane Smiley, Larry Beinhart et al, and it's such a joy -- to be able to read so many of their works in short order, and then follow their career, their artistry. I feel thrilled to be in the midst of reading Jonathan Carroll's books right now.Carroll's style is accessible and seamless. His descriptions read naturally and yet convey a wealth of information. His characters are quickly captured yet still intriguing, hinting at fascinating complexities you must think about at your leisure because there is something even MORE interesting happening over there, in the next sentence. Carroll's mind is full of interesting turns and nooks, his novels based in realistic people facing surrealistic events, and learning from them.Carroll's novels entertain AND provoke thought, and The Wooden Sea is no exception. Frannie McCabe is the police chief of a small town. His life is filled with remarkable people, but he has time to reflect on his relationships and his misspent youth as he attends to duty. On this day, McCabe takes in a three-legged dog, and from that point on, the story veers into a collision between the "normal" and whats-happening-now, with grounded, flawed Frannie McCabe as our guide.If you enjoy fine writing, meaty description, interesting characters and life's big questions, I think you should give this novel (and others by Jonathan Carroll) a try. If you already know Carroll's work, then yes, it is as good as his others. Also, check out his web site for some wonderful short stories and screenplays.[...]