South of Main Street

Written by Robert Gately
Fiction
277 pages
ISBN #193324035

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

Meet Henry Wolff, the central character in “South of Main Street,” a witty, engaging first novel by Robert Gately. After losing his wife Mary to cancer, a middle-aged Henry is trying to find his place in the world without her. Henry isn’t your average widower, however. Instead, he is a likable, quirky, eccentric Vietnam vet with more than his share of secrets and challenges.

Along with the childlike Henry, Gately adds to the story with a mix of rich characters bursting at the seams with personality, including daughters Sharon and Robin and friends Dixie and Danny. Together the group finds itself in a handful of controversy and conflict which will keep readers engrossed until the very last page.

While the book needs some editing, Gately’s writing style is engaging enough for most readers to overlook the minor mistakes. His words and scenes flow smoothly as the novel vacillates between characters and story lines. The characters are flawed but believable and likable, drawing the reader in as the characters tackle everything from death and drug use to mental stability and legal issues. As the story’s primary focus, Henry is particularly lovable as he struggles to care for himself and to maintain his focus without his beloved Mary.

In an interesting twist, Gately offers a prologue of sorts where he outlines the next chapter in the characters’ lives. This is a delightful change of pace for readers who don’t like to be left hanging.

This novel is a great first effort by Gately. Don’t miss it!

Book review © 2005 by Dana Blozis for Virtually Yourz