The details…
- Title: Catboat Road
- Author: Kate Rounds
- Publisher: Bywater Books
- Publication date: September 6, 2022
- Available formats: paperback, ebook
- Length: 220 pages
- Genre: general literary fiction
- Themes: family, parenting, coming of age, adultery, romance, humor, women loving women
- Tropes: age-gap, forbidden love
The blurb from the publisher…
For Candace “Ace” Ragsdale, Mrs. Forest is an irresistible force of nature: luscious, tantalizing—and maybe not completely out of reach.
The backdrop is the Massachusetts seaside town of Horton, cut off from the world. On the surface, boats sway on their moorings, while below bubbles a primal brew of salt and sea life—much like the Ragsdales, a decidedly modern family whose humor and goodwill skim breezily above an ocean of smoldering emotions.
The Ragsdales aren’t moored to social convention—but they’ve learned to surf the wave of the unfamiliar and make the most of chaos. From Ace’s womanizing-yet-worshipful brother to her elusive-yet-loving parents, we watch this well-meaning family weave its way into a rich tapestry of townspeople, often to comic effect.
Into this infinite chaos careens a rebel grandmother who shows up to help the Ragsdales save the town windmill, whose mysterious energy whips up the coastal disturbances of a changing world. As this spectacle of public conflict and private anguish unfolds, we’re fully on Ace’s side as she pilots the turbulent waters of love, sex, and traditional small-town values.
My thoughts…
Catboat Road has been described as The Graduate meets Catcher in the Rye—only with lesbians. It’s part coming of age and part romantic comedy. It contains captivating, entertaining storytelling that reflects the rich diversity one finds in society today. This is the kind of storytelling that Bywater Books believes in and takes pride in publishing. It’s also why I never hesitate to read anything published by Bywater. They recognize talent and produce rich, original stories that readers can truly enjoy.
Catboat Road is a debut novel for Kate Rounds, but it doesn’t read like one. There is so much to appreciate. Unconventional and daring at times, it pushes boundaries that might make many nervous. Yet, the writing is so sharp and intuitive, one can not turn away. Rounds has fun with this story, and the result is a highly engrossing, comedic tale well-worth picking up.
Even though Rounds has spent her whole career rearranging and scripting words, I found it very surprising that her resume didn’t include a full length novel. Storytelling is certainly her forte and Catboat Road is an impressive effort. This book reads like it’s been penned by an accomplished bestselling novelist. It’s solidly constructed and utilizes a strong, immersive narrative. The characters are original and diverse, driving the story forward purposefully. This is first-rate storytelling, the kind that charms and delights till the very end.
Final remarks…
Catboat Road is an endearing, offbeat tale, one that’s hard to put down. Rounds is a natural born storyteller and I hope to see much more of her work.
Strengths…
- Well-written
- Charming, memorable characters
- Brilliant, unconventional storytelling
- Subtle, well-placed humor
This book is available from…
A bit about the author…
Kate Rounds is a veteran journalist whose work includes stints as News Editor and Senior Editor at Ms. Magazine, Executive Editor and speechwriter to the President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Editor in Chief of the Hudson Reporter. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. She grew up in Massachusetts and lives in Jersey City without a cat.
Connect with the author…
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