Divining Rod

Knight begins Divining Rod by giving away the ending of his story. Even knowing how tragically the events will unfold, Knight's characters and his writing present a beautifully written story that will make you forget what you know is going to happen -- and make you pray for another ending at the same time. This book was an excellent read, and I would reccomend it to everyone!

I am always concerned when I hear about books with rich prose--the ones described as "lavishly textured" or "intricately detailed"--because in many cases the prose can be so gorgeous it drowns out the story and suffocates the characters. Not here. Simon Bell shines through the story as clear as a...never mind. Avoiding cliche. Anyway, the story of his affair with Delia will keep you engrossed and engaged. I got the eerie sense as I was reading this book that the story was actually taking place in the 50s or 30s (it's actually contemporary)--it has a strange timelessness to it. (Yes, I know that's partially because it's a familiar story, but it's a familiar story well told.) It's that rare "literary" novel which is also a grabbing read. Knight is definitely a talent to watch.

An impressive novel by a new author who we are likely to hear even greater things from - an author to watch. Mr Knight's skill with words is often breataking in this novel of misguided southern love. He gives away the story's ending in the first sentence then proceeds to detail how that tragedy came to be. Knowing the ending makes the book no less compelling a read and in fact the author's skill in describing his characters leaves the reader in all the more distress at the disaster we know is coming. Mr. Knight has a felicity with phrasings of the english language seen only in the best of writers. We shall be hearing more from him and for my part, the sooner the better.

Knight somehow has the ability to feel the emotions of women and men, and then convey them to the reader without shoving them down their throat. His use of imagery and dialogue convey the underlying meanings with smooth transitions and deeply complex characters. The best book I've read since Dogfight.

In Divining Rod, Michael Knight has added more mystery/mysticism to golf courses than ________ (add your favorite famous golfer here). Another insight of the book: people in country club houses think, and think, and think, and think (and not just about the next business deal and golf and $). The set-up of the novel (tells you what happened/then unravels how) works. The why becomes the page turner since you already know what. It's southern, without being southern-fried (which is no easy feat). The women are a little too mysterious/magical/mystical/angelic for me, but maybe that's because I am one. An interesting and good book and worthwhile first novel. BUY IT!