Standing Still by Kelly Simmons
In Standing Still by Kelly Simmons, Claire trades in the life of a journalist for that of a stay-at-home mom. Late one night Claire hears a noise on the roof, goes upstairs and discovers an intruder in her daughters room trying to abduct her. Claire utters three words which would change her life forever, “Take me instead.”
Her husband is out of town and as she leaves with the kidnapper her only thought is with her children who are now left home alone. Taken to a hotel and tied to a bed for the better part of a week, Claire – as the title suggests – has time to be still. She has time to think. To evaluate.
Ironically, her kidnapper is kind (but she fears his boss) and they spend a lot of time talking. As she begins to understand him and the reasons for his actions, she sympathizes with him and forms a special bond. As the negotiations take place for her return, Claire discovers that her husband might not be who she thinks he is. She reevaluates her marriage, family, and motherhood. If she makes it home, she will not be the same person that she was before.
The few reviews that I’ve read of Standing Still all mention Claire’s irrational anxieties and now that I read the back cover, I see that it mentions it as well. How could I have read the entire book and not put a label on Claire’s behavior as anxiety, panic attacks or acute panic disorder? Sometimes I wonder if I’m a good reader at all. Do you sometimes feel like this after reading a book? That you missed the obvious and wonder how you managed that?
I thought Claire was a bit “off” but I wasn’t able to label it. I certainly questioned some of Claire’s behavior. She seemed overly nervous but yet maintained an incredible degree of calm while being held hostage. There is also a certain element of mystery as Claire alludes to a possible reason for her abduction but we don’t know the circumstances behind it. I didn’t relate to Claire at all despite the commonality of both being mothers. But we don’t always need to relate to the main character and this case I liked getting into the head of someone I didn’t understand.
The strength of this novel is definitely the writing and the style. In alternating chapters between the present and the past, we gradually learn more about Claire and her past as she is coming to grip with her future. I particularly liked the style of the chapters set in the past. Each begins with a photograph description and Claire reminisces about the circumstances surrounding the photograph.
A taste of the writing:
Fear doesn’t always serve you in life. It lives on your surface, visible as your skin. People can take advantage of your weakness. Dogs can smell it on you, and so can children. But when you turn it outward, and fear for the lives of the world, you can warn someone. You can save someone. You can see the potential for destruction around us all. It’s what makes me certain I’m a good journalist. But a very bad seatmate on an airplane.
A great book which kept me hooked and I’d recommend for all readers. The writing was poetic. Fantastic prose. The premise and story were intriguing. Characters were engaging. But ultimately, I fear that it’s one that I could also easily forget. And I hate it when that happens.
Links of interest: More book blogger reviews, Kelly Simmons website.
Genre: Fiction.
Publisher: Washington Square Press. February 10, 2009 (Hardcover by Atria in Feb. 2008)
Paperback, 288 pages. ISBN 0743289730
Standing Still is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.
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Tags: female author, Fiction, published 2008, Publisher: Washington Square Press, Q-T Author, Q-T Title, review copy
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I find this alot with mysteries and crime thrillers. You have to do more than just shed alot of blood to make me remember the book. I remember the reviews of this book awhile back – lukewarm reveiws, like yours. The beginning sounds frightening, but I’m not sure it would be enough to make me want to read the book!
on November 6th, 2009 at 5:04 amI met this author at the Baltimore Book Festival when she helped out with my book club panel. It was interesting for me to learn that she herself suffers (suffered?) from a panic disorder and drew from her own experiences with that to create parts of the main character in this book. (I’ll admit that I haven’t read it though, so I don’t really have an opinion on the book itself.)
on November 6th, 2009 at 8:24 amThis is the first review of this book I’ve seen, and it sounds great, to me! I’ll definitely be at least checking out the first few chapters.
on November 6th, 2009 at 9:17 amI’m with you…sometimes I miss things about characters that I shouldn’t. That is the beauty of reading I guess, we all notice or miss different things!
on November 6th, 2009 at 9:34 amI think this book sounds really intriguing. I’ve always been interested in the phenomenon of Stockholm Syndrome that occurs between kidnappers and their victims. It sounds like there’s a bit of that going on in the novel.
on November 6th, 2009 at 9:45 amThis one sounds interesting. Nice review. I’m still mixed as to whether or not to read it!
on November 6th, 2009 at 1:42 pmI really liked this book too, great review.
on November 7th, 2009 at 11:17 amI think it probably speaks to the strength of the writer that you didn’t label Claire as having anxiety attacks or a stress disorder. That means, to me, that the author didn’t just copy and past symptoms out of the DSM.
on November 7th, 2009 at 7:56 pmThis one definitely sounds interesting. I don’t think you’re a “bad reader” if you don’t pick up on something in a book though!
on November 10th, 2009 at 9:54 am[...] Standing Still by Kelly Simmons [...]
on December 30th, 2009 at 9:29 pm