A Young Girl's Crimes
David Rehak (Guest Reviewer - Julia Prichard)
2002 America House Book Publishers
ISBN: 1591290562 Amazon's price is: $16.95
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All Canadian Flora wants is to be a normal teenager, but her father's needs & wants keep her locked up in his mansion.
Guest Reviewer Julia Prichard writes:
It was some time ago that a colleague of mine threw a book on my desk & said, “Read this. He may not look like a writer, but damn can he write!” I looked down at the cover, which was striking. The title of the book too sounded interesting. David Rehak. Hmm, never heard of him. I flipped it over to check out the back cover blurb & photo. Wow, he looks pretty young to be published! But my friend's enthusiasm about the book didn't really resonate. She & I rarely have the same taste in books, so I wasn't filled with any strong desire to read it, just a mild lingering curiosity. I had this sneaking feeling this young man was published more for his good looks & the sensational nature of his novel, rather than any real substantial, worthwhile reason. I had good reason to feel that way. I've seen other so-called promising new authors come & go, unable to live up to the hype. I had no reason to expect anything different this time around.
A Young Girl's Crimes is set in circa 1970 Canada & allegedly based on fact. It's the story of a young woman living with her wealthy father, whose interest in her is far more than a father ought to be, in his cold, repressive & oppressive environment. Finally, she rebels & lashes out in violent & sexual ways. Then she meets someone who actually shows her love for the first time. But by this stage, she is morally tainted & it's only a matter of time before her deep, dark secret is out.
Although I read at least one book a week, it was several weeks later when, one evening, I was bored & there was nothing on TV, so I sat up in bed & began to read A Young Girl's Crimes.
The first thing that struck me was David Rehak's style. He claims to be a disciple of Guy de Maupassant. He certainly has learned from that French writer's style, & takes brevity to an extreme I have never seen before. David Rehak manages to say everything in the fewest number of words, & keeps the story going at a lightening pace. All unnecessary descriptions & atmosphere are kept at a minimum, used only where needed. This is a different writing style! I'd even call it minimalist. Realistic minimalism?
The clarity & simplicity of the style is balanced with substance, i.e. philosophical & spiritual undertones. These are presented in a manner that is easy to understand & interesting, not in a dry or academic way. Also, while the simplicity of it makes A Young Girl's Crimes accessible & non-intimidating to the average reader, the story itself is a real treat!
I literally got hot flashes & goosebumps as I read A Young Girl's Crimes. I had that great, rare feeling I get when I'm reading something I'm deeply enjoying. The characters & plot kept me hooked. It just kept getting better & better. Due to the fact that the book is written in such an incredibly readable style & the story is so gripping, for long spaces of time I hardly knew I was reading, frankly. I was just absorbed in it.
I do hope that this uniquely talented new author is not a one-hit wonder. I want to know when his next book is coming out! Yes, I plead guilty to having judged him by his book cover. I won't be making that mistake again.
I heartily recommend A Young Girl's Crimes.
Julia Prichard is a librarian & occasional arts reviewer.
(03/09/03)
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