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| Doves on telephone line pass on the news Creative Commons |
Early reviews are coming in for Adrift in the Sound, mostly
from friends and mostly positive. I have great friends who trust me enough to tell the truth. Their feedback has been kind and honest. But, I realize that as more people read the book reactions to the
story may not be as positive. Like the rest of us birds on the wire, I'm hoping you'll join the conversation about the story, add your own memories and experiences about the turbulent the 70s in America. Where were you in 1973? What was going on around you?
If I've done my job, Adrift in the Sound is story you'll love and hate and spend time thinking about when you're done. If you're a Kindle Prime member, get a free e-version on July 26. Download the book, send me your reactions and/or post a short review on Amazon. After the promotion in June, Adrift ranked 29th in literary fiction in Kindle's 100 Top Sellers list, 35th in historical fiction. With your help, the story is topping the charts, pass this post on to others who might enjoy a good read.
Quick Novel Summary: Frazzled Seattle street artist Lizette Karlson tries to pull
herself together in 1973 and turns to the Franklin Street Dogs for help. This
low-life tavern softball team is a horrifying choice for a fractured spirit
like Lizette, who's only trying to stay warm and make it through another rainy night.
The Dogs think she’s a head case and don't realize that while Lizette’s
beautiful, talented, and a bit off kilter—she’s also cunning and dangerous.
Readers are calling Adrift in the Sound an important exploration
of the resilience of the human spirit in a radically changing world. In both
lyrical prose and gritty street language, Kate Campbell rocks our understanding
of contemporary history and challenges our fiercely held beliefs. She reshapes
old myths and creates new folktales to delight our imaginations.
Honors: Top finalist for the 2011 Mercer Street Books Literary Prize
Here’s what readers are saying about the book:
Email note: Just wanted to drop you a note and say how much I’m enjoying your book. I’m only to chapter 8 but so enjoying the descriptions of the island and enjoying the characters.
Kathy Coatney, author
Four Quarts Makes a Gallon
http://www.amazon.com/Kathy-Coatney/e/B008CAN4XA
Email note: I read Adrift in the Sound on
my river trip and really, really liked it. I wrote a review for Amazon, added
it to my Facebook page, and sent a thumbs up email to my favorite indie
bookstore, Gallery Books in Mendocino. Still not gonna twirl a sign (about Adrift) on the
corner, tho.
I was very familiar with a lot of what you wrote about—I lived out on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula for too many long grey years, spent a little time on Orcas Island. You nailed it all, and I like that you didn't pass any judgments, just painted the picture.
I was very familiar with a lot of what you wrote about—I lived out on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula for too many long grey years, spent a little time on Orcas Island. You nailed it all, and I like that you didn't pass any judgments, just painted the picture.
I had a hard time getting past the
beginning, did not want to go thru the drug-use scenes and the bad news
stuff about Lizette, but I pushed through and then got sucked right in—great
plot, a real page turner. I really loved that Lizette was not a one dimensional
victim but a very complicated human with resources of her own.
Great job!
Rosana Torrielli
Great job!
Rosana Torrielli
Mendocino, CA
Facebook Post: Beginning chapter seventeen. Raw characters. Love Orcas Island setting. My artist cousin lived there for 40 yrs and left her Doe Bay property to another cousin. Lyle and I spent 10 days in her house filled with art, over looking bay. I imagine just like Adrift in the Sound . . . Just finished Adrift in the Sound. Loved it! This story could only have come from you.
Congrats,
again!
Susanne
La Faver
Clearlake, CA
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| If you've got something to say about Adrift, call or write. Let others know what you think about this gritty, graceful tale. Creative Commons |
Amazon Review: If this is her first book, we have lots to look forward to. I am very impressed with her storytelling and love of nature that is so nicely interwoven into this crazy, fun tale. While most of us will not hopefully have shared the "druggie" part of the late 60's and 70's, there is plenty one can relate to and ponder that will bring back memories and chuckles. Don't want to spoil anything....but just beware next time you go in the basement to do your laundry!!!!! This is a delightful read, perfect for your summer vacation.
Sacramento, CA
Amazon Review: Really liked this book and
recommend it as a great read. Had a little trouble getting into it but then
could not put it down. The plot is full of action and twists that kept me
enthralled. Kate Campbell's writing pulled me back in time to the complicated
free love and drugging and Viet Nam War world of the early seventies. The
pictures she paints are truthful, without being judgmental. She also nails the
personality of the young (bipolar?) disturbed Lizette, around whom the story
revolves. Kate doesn't glamorize her mental illness, or make us pity Lizette as
a helpless victim. Rather, she makes us wonder if we might have done things any
differently in Lizette's place.
Rosana Torrielli (email above)
Mendocino, CA
Amazon Review: Kate Campbell is a masterful storyteller and
elegant writer. Her characters jump off the page, her vivid description of the
culture of the 70s in Seattle and Orcas Island transport you to a time you may
not have experienced, but will feel you know through her prose. The story is
gritty, poignant, moving, and memorable. Campbell is no ordinary writer ----
her well-drawn characters (the troubled Lizette, the Dogs, Sandy the snake
dancer, the earth-mother Marian,etc.) and her ability to draw you into a bygone
era, a pivotal moment in history, is reminiscent of the great master, John
Steinbeck. This is Campbell's debut novel. She is an author to watch. Wanting to be Jackie Kennedy
Amazon Review: Read straight through
Adrift in the Sound. Life is definitely complicated and messy for Lizette and
the other characters in Kate Campbell's novel. Lizette would like Rocket to be
in love with her, but Rocket views her more as a sister. He's the only one who
can criticize her. He'll defend her to
other people and he looks out for her in his own way. A bunch of these
characters are behaving badly, but find redemption (so to speak) by the end of
the novel.
Kate provides nuanced interactions,
colorful dialogue, and exquisite visual images of the sea, Marian's ranch on
Orcas Island, Lizette's father's home in Seattle, etc. I liked how she wove the
Orca whale Looney into the story, representing Rocket's spirit. It makes sense that Sandy Shore does not have
an abortion, carries the baby to term and then disengages with the infant.
Abortions were still illegal at the point where she became pregnant.There is a mystery as to the identity of the father, but I began to root for Rocket. Kate weaves Native American culture into the story and two of its strongest characters are Poland and Abaya who have a ranch on Orcas Island near Marian's ranch. Lizette takes over as mother to Sandy's baby Violet. Lizette is a reclusive artist, whose artwork is exhibited as far away as New York without her knowledge.
Carol Rogers
Oakland, CA
Order Adrift in the Sound from independent and online booksellers. $14.99 in trade paperback, $6.99 for e-readers. Get a free promotional ebook through Amazon Select for Kindle on July 26! Adrift in the Sound was ranked 29th in literary fiction and 35th in historical fiction on Kindle's Top Seller list. Yes, I'm hoping to see it hit the top of the list again!
See you in the garden. Bring your copy of Adrift so we can chat about it. Yay!
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