Carter Coleman, Cage's Bend

Cage's Bend

Carter Coleman

Warner, Jan 2006, $14.95

ISBN: 0446696293

Southern Episcopal Minister Franklin Rutledge and his wife, Margaret raise three sons, born in the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s. Though he once dreamed of a Ph.D. in Divinity Studies instead of father to three rambunctious boys, Franklin is pleased with what God has given him. He worries about the rivalry between his two oldest, Cage and Nick, born less than one year apart, but believes that is God's way. He thanks God that Harper was born a decade later. Cage is a terrific athlete, intelligent, charming and a hunk. Nick, except when competing against Cage, is reticent though he is as smart and handsome as his older brother. Harper worships his brothers and wants to be with them all the time.

In 1987 Nick dies in a car accident. His surviving family struggles to cope with the loss. Cage blames himself as he was the last to speak with Nick; his mood swings soon are diagnosed as bipolar disorder. Harper makes it at Wall St. but hides his loss and his fear that Cage is next with alcohol and drugs. Franklin believes he has failed as a Bishop because he has failed to bring any comfort to his family. Margaret, though grieving her loss, knows she must help her dysfunctional family heal.

Rotating perspective between the four Rutledges, readers obtain a powerfully poignant family drama that looks deeply at interactions and interrelationships when the dynamics change due to the death of the fifth participant, leading to new conflicts arising. The key to CAGE'S BEND is that the characters seem real, especially as members of a competitive family. Carter Coleman provides a fabulous and complex tale of people struggling to cope with loss often by destructive behavior.

Harriet Klausner