THE HEART OF A DISTANT FOREST

by Philip Lee Williams ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 21, 1984

The diary of elderly Andrew Lachian--a former history teacher dying of cancer. In his day-to-day notations, Andrew records his undulating moods: oases of pleasure--from musings on Shadow Pond, nearby his family cabin in Georgia woods, to some naughty bits in a Savannah beach motel; and some fresh, even bizarre new friendships--particularly Andrew's attachment to dirty, precociously sexual Willie Sullivan, a neglected, surly boy who's a perennial truant, a whiz at fishing for catfish, the offspring of a violent, punishing father and a sour, laconic mother. Both of these parents will soon die--and gradually Andrew coaxes Willie into his life, giving him a home, eventually assuming his guardianship. Andrew confesses that he loves Willie ""like a son,"" but Willie can't substitute for Andrew's own long-dead son: he ducks out from a civilizing schooling, becomes a handful, has to be turned over (not with despair) to some of Willie's more decent kin. The diary offers other relationships too: a bittersweet, half-humorous romance between Willie and old friend Callie; visits from old cronies and younger ones, marred by patronizing pity. (""I am damned tired of everyone trying to find some essential goodness in me because I'm old and dying."") And, of course, Andrew picks at the idea of death, ""like a child thinks about Christmas coming."" Unfortunately, Andrew's meditations are apt to be overblown and flabby: ""I live among the waves and shadows, carelessly whispering to my life."" So, though the dialogue has a red-dirt authenticity and though Andrew's restless impulses often ring true, this first novel--by a Georgia newspaper editor--is more well-intentioned than engrossing or affecting.

Pub Date: May 21, 1984

ISBN: 0820327905

Page Count: -

Publisher: Norton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1984

Categories: FICTION