Cisco Writers Club Rendezvous With Writing

A Must-Read Coming-of-Age Novel by Local Author by Priscilla Bettis https://x.com/PriscillaBettis Nothing Knew by local author S. Westley King is the second book in King’s Redemption Gray series. It works well as a standalone, but it’s a richer read when paired with the first book, Under the Sun. In Nothing Knew, Redemption “Red” Gray is a seventeen-year-old runaway who has recently come to believe in God. He hitches a ride toward home on the back of a motorcycle. The driver, Mr. Longstoryshort, seems wise and safe … at first. Red is a magnificent character. Longstoryshort says, “I think I’ll call you Nothing,” but Red is the opposite of his empty nickname. He’s full of empathy, detailed observations, and deep thoughts. Red prays. He journals. He struggles with iconic theological questions that many great thinkers have asked over the centuries: the problem of evil, for example, and which of all the world’s religions is the true faith? For readers, Red’s not-nothingness makes his character three dimensional and more relatable. Longstoryshort gave me the creeps from the beginning. (I mean, who names a kid Nothing?) Whether or not Longstoryshort is a villain or even THE villain of the story, I won’t say, but King can certainly write characters with serious moral flaws. At least readers get peeks into each flawed character’s backstory so readers understand the why behind evil acts. (Understanding a character’s reasoning doesn’t mean evil action or intent is acceptable, especially in a King story.) King’s writing style includes pages at a time of Red’s inner dialogue. You’d think that’d be boring, but no. Readers learn Red’s goals (the overarching one, at first, is to get back home) and reason through obstacles at the same time he does. Themes in the novel include classism, racism, evil being mistaken for righteous power, the role of the church and Christians in the world, God’s sovereignty, pornography (though there aren’t any explicit scenes), abuse, and (of course!) redemption. Even though Red is a teenager, and many teens will no doubt relate to his yearnings and fears, the story is sophisticated enough that adults will enjoy it too. Nothing Knew is available at major bookstores in both paperback and e-book formats. Another local author, Jennifer Neville Maddle, recently released her latest book, Marston House. Cisco Writers Club is pleased to host Maddle at the club’s next meeting, 7 PM, February 5th, at Connect Spot inside the Myrtle Wilks Community Center. Visitors are welcome. See ya there! Priscilla Bettis is secretary of the Cisco Writers Club. She is the author of Whispers of a Southern Moon, a short story and poetry collection.