A Disappointment
"Black Creek Crossing" is the first book I've read by John Saul, and it may not be the last, but neither does it have me rushing to the library for another. I was interested in the plot of the book and characters enough to see the novel through to its final page, but, ultimately, I felt like the premise (which could be called either typical, tired or classic) was mishandled and found the writing to be often lacking.

The main players in this book are the teenagers, primarily two social outcasts named Angel and Seth. The adult characters mainly boil down to supporting, stock representations that are just around to be ignorant and further complicate the lives of their children. One point that I haven't been able to get clear is the age of Angel Sullivan. The back cover of the book called her 13, the main review available here on amazon.com said 14 but I am almost positive that the text itself said 15. The inclination is that all of the other teenage characters are about the same age. This is one of the primary issues I took with the book: the author does not seem to have much clear concept as to the average maturity level of a 15-year-old girl. Indeed, Angel and her classmates all routinely acted like kids three to four years younger. This wasn't always the case, but it was very frequently. Of course, everyone does not grow at the same emotional rate, but the author's physical descriptions of Angel are also inconsistent with her age (only slightly if she is actually 13, but greatly if she is indeed supposed to be 15). His descriptions of her physical development are even more off the mark when one takes into account the fact that Angel is overweight. Of course, there is no one growth rate for all children, but there is no indication in the text that she is underdeveloped. It may seem shallow, but I had a difficult time getting past these inconsistincies in the younger characters.

Still, I remained for the duration of the narrative, only to be greatly disappointed in the ending. All of a sudden, one character in particular goes from feelings of resentment and bitterness to homicidal rage. In the blink of an eye. I had no idea this character was so dangerous until three people were dead. Where's the buildup to this? The development? There was none. Millions of kids are picked last for gym and picked on by their classmates, even treated cruely by the adults in their lives, and they never lash out suddenly with murder. It was way too sudden.

But I do not want to give too much away. Since there is no real foreshadowing, you won't know of whom I speak until it happens. I wouldn't suggest that you avoid this book like the plague, because the plague is probably much worse, but don't rush out and buy a first edition either. That would be very silly.

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