Some scars are on the surface; some are on the inside. A Scarred Drifter
is about a young man who has scars both inside and out trying to make his way
in a world where circumstances have gone even beyond a simple subsistence
existence to a real fight to stay alive. What makes this story unique is that
the author spins the story in a way that reflects his pen name of Sotto Voce.
Those of us who are musicians know the Italian term, sotto voce, to mean
"in a subtle or quiet voice." While the writing style for this tale’s
narrative is in a subtle voice, the events in this tale are anything but
understated. This is one of those not to be missed stories written in a deep,
sensitive way. The world-building is incredible, the characters feel real, and
there are twists and turns galore that explore the human condition under dire
circumstances. There isn't anything about this book I didn't like.
This tale follows the life of Cole Patterson from the age of 8 to 27. As a
youngster, he spends his days playing around and near the sea where he learns
to swim well and learns to navigate a boat. He is a good fisherman and helps to
feed his family from the bounty of the sea, and he learns how to build at the
elbow of his dad. For the most part, life is pretty good as he plays along the
beach with his friends. That is, until one day when the realities of adult life
force his family to relocate. Between climate change and artificial
intelligence, the economy crashes, and people are thrown out of work. Nearly
everyone is trying to carve a living out of nothing.
Then, disaster strikes, and the social structure disintegrates, giving way
to chaos, and the only way to survive is at the expense of others.
Cole is forced to strike out on his own to find a new place to make a life.
There are overwhelming challenges at every turn, and it's going to take an
abundance of fortitude and wit just to live.
As the tale unfolds, we follow Cole during his adventures as a boy and into
the difficult teen years, and finally into adulthood. He is a good kid, but he
is also a tough kid. Cole has a lot of compassion, but when threatened, he can
be a vicious opponent. He is well liked by most people that know him, but some
fear him with good reason. Cole doesn't set out to hurt anyone who hasn't hurt
him. He is not a coward, but prefers to avoid conflict if he can, but
unfortunately, there are those who back him into a corner and that is when his
anger issues emerge, and there is no half-way when he retaliates against those
that attack him, or those he cares about.
Cole's character is well developed and will draw the reader in from the
first page and keep one hanging all the way to the end. There are triumphs to
make the reader applaud, defeats to get down about, and sadness to make one
shed tears.
My favorite point of plot is how the story unfolds in four parts. It opens
with a peek into the recent past, then goes into the more distant past and
brings the story up to the present. This arrangement allows the reader to
become familiar with the character, then reveals what events and people shape
him as he encounters others on his journeys. The way it is presented was the
hook that drove me forward for the rest of the book.
The principal theme that stood out for me was the main character searching
for a place he could belong. There are a number of different social
arrangements shown in the book, so Cole had to find what worked for him. The
reader goes on this journey with the character as though we are looking over
his shoulder and able to hear what goes on in his mind. His search also led him
to make several choices, and like any good solid story, the hero is flawed and
doesn't always make good choices. As a result, this story is believable, and
maybe even a little prophetic.
My takeaway from A Scarred Drifter is a reminder that life is full of
choices, and choices have consequences.
A Scarred Drifter is a post-apocalyptic story set beginning in the
very near future. The world-building is amazing, the characters feel like real
people, and the story is told so well, anyone who is a fan of this type of
storytelling will enjoy it. If you are not careful, and pay attention, you also
might learn from this tale. It is full of surprises, not all of which are
pleasant. There are some descriptions of violence that may be disconcerting to
some, but I think it helps advance the story and is not gratuitous.
Highest Recommendations!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It is my shadow in my profile picture, taken fourteen years ago. I was
around 3000 meters high (approx. 10000 feet) on a mountain called Rinjani. It
was near dawn, and I was about to miss the sunrise on the peak as it was still
a distance (vertical!) away. The terrain was difficult; I wasn't in tip-top
condition since I hadn't been climbing for a long time. Nearing the peak, I
slid down two steps for every three steps I took. It was exhausting; I
considered quitting and kept questioning my existence and objective.
I didn't quit and reached there in an embarrassing amount of time. I missed
the sunrise but, thankfully, also the sunrise crowd and had the peak all to
myself. It was awesome. The mountain has a beautiful turquoise-colored lake in
the crater with an active volcano at that time. I've climbed many peaks before,
but this one was special, as this was the only peak I had reached alone for the
journey and the finale. My climbing buddy had given up. Sitting on the mountain
ridge in the darkness, I had my prolonged favorite moment, looking at the
stars, embracing the peace and silence.
I love nature; going up the mountains, scaling the cliffs, exploring the
deep, and chasing the currents. I haven't had chances for those now for many
reasons, but I find an equal, if not more, amount of happiness strolling the
beach with my loved ones and my dog, baking, and writing.
Writing is therapeutic, personal, and intimate. Climbing Rinjani is the
reflection of my writing journey. It's challenging, and I am not in sync with
the current, continuously questioning my existence and objective. I change the
'standard' professional author profile to a ramble. It's not easy for me to be
out there, but I aspire to make my writing known and take small baby steps each
time to come out of my shell. I can't really change. I don't have a bubbly
personality to engage with everyone facetiously and prefer to establish genuine
bonds instead. Even though it will take forever and is not ideal, I like to be
myself.
English is not my first language, but it's the one that I can comfortably
use to express myself the most. Sotto Voce is my pen name, and I love the
meaning. It suits me the most.
If you are reading this or reading my works, thank you.
To learn more about Sotto Voce's Work, follow this link:
https://www.sottovoceinora.com/
Well, there it is...
Qapla!
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