"Comfort Me"--coming home

[AmosL]

Ceci, Louis Flint. "Comfort Me", Torquere Press, 2009.

Coming Home

Amos Lassen

"Comfort Me" is one of those books in which the author takes his name in setting up the story. Louis Flint Ceci builds his plot and characters slowly and subtly and we get to know the players and the place little by little. It is almost like taking time to make a friend. The setting is Croy, Oklahoma and Mally Jacobs returns home to take care of his ill grandfather. He had been gone some 15 years because his mother left Croy in disgrace. Mally did not know his father and his classmates will have nothing to do with him. He doesn't know why his mother left the town shortly after he came into the world but he does know that he is an outcast. He finally is able to become friendly with Randy, a football player from a dysfunctional family and with Joanie, a girl who cannot face what she knows about her family. We have three kids and three torn families but the kids find a haven in each other. All is not good, however, Randy's friend Red is jealous of Mally for winning over his friend and this is seen in the more violent bullying that ensues. Randy and Joanie begin to have feelings for each other and Joanie works hard at getting Mally to come out of his shell. The three are forced to face themselves and accept the truth and the lives they have been given.
We meet the residents of Croy little by little and we see a microcosm of society in the students there. We are made aware of the special needs of many and the problems of adolescence. we soon learn that Mally doesn't fit in because of his sexuality and the author tells us about this in beautiful terms that are almost painful to read. As we read, secrets about various residents of Croy are exposed but beneath everything is the bond that the three friends have.
This is a tender and beautiful story that has a great deal to say. There is no erotica here but what there is is a look into the emotions of adolescents as they realize who they are. We read as the human spirit rises above the past of gossip and lies and we see that friendship is what allows us to survive in the world. It is the glue that holds us together and to a degree is responsible for our rationality. Ceci has written an absolutely gorgeous story here which is a perfect read for a youngster facing adulthood or by anyone who wants to read a well-written and important book.
This is the first book that I have read by Louis Flint Ceci but I am sure it will not be the last. He is a writer that should be watched. I expect more great things to come from him.