String Bridge Review

I talk... a lot. I have lots of opinions, which I share willingly, as everyone knows. So, interestingly enough one of the greatest compliments I can offer something is being rendered speechless. Jessica Bell's String Bridge comes fairly close to robbing me of coherent words. In fact, I have started, deleted, and restarted this review more times than I want to admit because I just can't find the words to do this book justice!

String Bridge is the story of Melody, a musician turned mother who finds herself growing more and more discontent with her little life. An Australian-born woman living in Athens, everything about Melody's life has ceased to inspire her. Her husband's anger fills their tiny apartment, her job is thankless, and she has a hard time hiding her growing misery from Tessa, the daughter that is bright spot in her dead-end life. As the dust grows thicker on her guitar case, Melody feels more and more trapped by a situation that seems increasingly hopeless.

This is a novel about finding, and re-finding who you are, and Bell has captured the struggle impeccibly. We all struggle with dreams deferred from time to time, and this novel captures too well the feeling of despair that comes from watching potential ebb. A musician herself, Bell's prose is lyrical and rythmic in a way that is simultanesouly soothing and startling. From staccato musings on her mood, through long and wailing sentences built on fury, every word of the book is deliberate, and effective.

String Bridge is another novel that has made me feel honored to work with Lucky Press. In moments, the book capture's the tone and emotion I have grown to love from authors such as Margaret Atwood, David Guterson, and Jane Smiley. Bell's first attempt, I am confident that this is merely a preview of brilliant things to come.

This one is highly recommended! I would head over to Amazon and buy it now! Add Max and Menna or Bell's acclaimed collection of poetry Twisted Velvet Chains and have a great Christmas gift ready for any strong women you know who love to read!