The Swamp logo

Review of The Offspring

Book

By Rahau MihaiPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
Like

The Offspring by Bill Pinnell is a book that simultaneously compel, repel, and excite readers as it explores the dark side of human nature through family ties, secrets, and racism. It does this through a multi-layered, multigenerational, and multi-perspective lens that brings together a cast of characters whose lives intersect in fascinating and occasionally intense ways.

An interesting prologue that significantly establishes the tone of this intricate, character-driven novel first piques interest as a vivid recollection of pleasure swiftly transforms into horror in the mind of a character who seems to be seduced by events from the past. The history of Lemuel Decker and Irene Baxter's courtship is the subject of the next paragraph. They are both Logan High School students in rural Nebraska in the 1940s. Irene is attractive, popular, and outgoing, while Lemuel is a quiet, athletic farm lad. Their differences in age and personalities make them nearly appear like polar opposites. Their paths seldom ever directly meet at school due to the age gap between them. Once they do, however, each leaves a lasting imprint on the other that neither will soon forget. Lemuel, a shy farm kid, has a soft spot for the attractive and amiable Irene, but his reserved nature makes him seem hopelessly in love and distant.

After Lemuel completes his education, destiny steps in to create a combination of circumstances that combine love and chivalry and would bring the two together to start a family, but Irene's pregnancy casts a shadow over their relationship and creates an unsaid secret inside the family structure. In addition, as time passes, the Decker family's once-happy existence devolves into dysfunction, and the couple's life becomes more challenging as the financial strains of running a farm and a family cause friction and conflicts that tarnish their once-joyful relationship. The way the kids are reared is also a factor, with Tommy (the eldest) often at conflicts with Hughie (the younger son), who always appears to get preferential treatment, particularly from his father Lemuel. As a result, when Irene decides to leave the family because she wants a new life away from the farm, things start to become worse. Without their mother and with a volatile father, the Decker brothers end up changing drastically.

The emphasis of the narrative then shifts to Harold Simpson, the sheriff of Milrose County. He is the offspring of a gun of a terrible bigot. Despite being somewhat depressing, his past does not justify his nasty, egotistical behavior or relationships with the people he is meant to defend. As the plot develops, his presence arouses a strong desire to see him get his fair rewards for terrorizing the residents in his area; in essence, he is the neighborhood bully with a badge and a pistol.

As the story progresses, we see the Lake family, including Joseph and Audrey and their kids Kenny and Sammy. The family, who are originally from Chicago, get the chance to relocate from the city to a farm in Nebraska; unfortunately, they are the only black family in a 100-mile radius and live next door to the Deckers. The Deckers are friendly to them, and a cordial relationship develops between the two families. In particular, the Deckers' sons Hughie and Kenny Lake grow quite close to one another. What then occurs is a journey for the boys toward self-discovery, which results in a lifelong friendship and holding on to a secret that is still buried in the murky waters of the past.

Overall, I liked The Offspring. I was engaged in the book till the dramatic conclusion. I liked peeling back the layers of this fascinating narrative, which is filled with well-rounded characters and an engaging plot presented in a clear, expressive way. I'm excited to read more from this author and think this would be a terrific summer read.

book reviews
Like

About the Creator

Rahau Mihai

Hi! Come to my profile and you will see really useful things or something to relax you !

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.