HerEthics Books Review of "The Other Mr. Bax" by Rodney Jones
A few times in the life, we meet a situation, or perhaps the crossing point of many, which, seems to have no importance, but only on the first look.
The significant things always come almost unnoticed. They don’t have pompous names and there is not a bustle happening around. The chance to read “THE OTHER MR. BAX” before being published is one of them.
Noticing the title of the RODNEY JONES’ book, I said – it sounds mysterious.
The opening chapter suggested that I’m going to read a sweet romance. But all those assumptions happened to be far away from the truth. Author – in a very subtle and discreet way – developed a story, which only some people would live, but many will read and consider illusory; an eclectic imagination condensed into the pages of a book.
The span of more than thirty years of life suggests the depth of personal experiences, very intimate and dear, which author with an ease and flow fused into a surprisingly cutting edge parallel realities plot played as a background for an unprecedented love story.
Roland, the main character, true to his name – a rare personality, enjoys his school’s short breaks only because there is a girl - on a swing. She took his full attention and in the innocence of the pure child’s heart Roland undergo short, but deeply rooted encounter with a purest human love. Shy introvert outside, but spontaneous within, finds how brief moments of joy engrave in a human psyche as a long-life longings.
Joyce, the object of his devotion, moves with a family to a new town without a word of explanation, leaves Roland experience his first pain of abandonment.
After that short, but poetic in nature introduction, the author let us jump in time directly into another emotional crisis. Roland, after 10 years of marriage, faces divorce. His wife Nancy, unsatisfied with the life spent with him, tries to use all possible ways to be free. Even advises Roland to date a particular woman from their community, cooks for them dinner and leaves the house.
Joyce, visiting a festival in the city, passing between the tents of artist and craftsman, spots a painting which attracts her observe more. A name-tag on the painter suggests “ROLAND BAX”. The name pops into her memory from the deeply repressed moments, when as a girl enjoyed his company during the school breaks. She had known that her family moves between the military bases very often and didn’t want to spoil her short moments of nearness and joy.
But now, she stands here, right in front of him. End of their conversation becomes also the beginning of their possible reunion.
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