 Priona
Paul
Dueweke
Self Published, 2001
Interesting
read ... Recommended ... 4 stars Ben and Priona meet onboard a
train heading toward and away from the pueblo where Priona has
lived her whole life. The pair share little in common other than
the fact that both are Catholic. Their backgrounds are completely
dissimilar. Priona the poet shares her dreams and longings for
a better life she hopes to find in New York City with Ben as
they travel. Ben appears to be a typical middle class youngster.
The young pair become more than
simple travelers sharing a small slice of life together before
they part to live their own lives. Priona's hopes for a life
in New York may be short circuited. She was only able to afford
a ticket to Cincinnati where both she and Ben will depart. He
will continue the life he had planned. She says she will begin
hitch hiking east. For each the train trip becomes a precursor
for both Priona and Ben making a journey to New Mexico where
Ben meets many of Priona's family before he and Priona must part.
This time both know they are parting for good. Forty years later
the recently widowed Ben travels to New Mexico where he finds
Priona once more.
Writer Dueweke has produced an
entertaining work in his small novel "Priona". Dispensed
in large part through fast paced dialogue the narrative surrounding
young lovers who know their disparate lives simply cannot be
as they hope grasps the reader and moves them right along unhindered
to the closing paragraphs. The pair of main characters is presented
in enough depth to sustain the tale despite a paucity of detail
surrounding a majority of the other players.
Dueweke performs as both a poet and fabricator of prose in this
offering.
Dueweke has researched his subject
and the New Mexico region in which Priona lives. His research
is evident in his writing. Poetry interspersed in the work is
well thought out and acceptable to read. The dissimilar lives
Ben and Priona have lived prior to their meeting is reminiscent
of the situation so many of us find ourselves entering into as
we develop our own relationships.
"Priona" is a slice
of life offering sure to please those who enjoy a pleasant read
on a lazy afternoon. |
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