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The Kept
The Kept | James Scott
18 posts | 17 read | 21 to read
Set in rural New York state at the turn of the twentieth century, superb new talent James Scott makes his literary debut with The Kepta propulsive novel reminiscent of the works of Michael Ondaatje, Cormac McCarthy, and Bonnie Jo Campbell, in which a mother and her young son embark on a quest to avenge a terrible and violent tragedy that has shattered their secluded family. In the winter of 1897, a trio of killers descends upon an isolated farm in upstate New York. Midwife Elspeth Howell returns home to the carnage: her husband, and four of her children, murdered. Before she can discover her remaining son Caleb, alive and hiding in the kitchen pantry, another shot rings out over the snow-covered valley. Twelve-year-old Caleb must tend to his mother until she recovers enough for them to take to the frozen wilderness in search of the men responsible. A scorching portrait of a merciless worldof guilt and lost innocence, atonement and retribution, resilience and sacrifice, pregnant obsession and primal adolescenceThe Kept introduces an old-beyond-his-years protagonist as indelible and heartbreaking as Mattie Ross of True Grit or Jimmy Blevins of All the Pretty Horses, as well as a shape-shifting mother as enigmatic and mysterious as a character drawn by Russell Banks or Marilynne Robinson.
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TheSpineView
The Kept | James Scott
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#HorrorSeason @Klou
Day 6: Ready or Not

Klou Wow! This sounds brilliant!! Adding!! 4y
TheSpineView @Klou Yes! Your TBR list is sure getting a boost these days! 4y
Klou @TheSpineView yes! I am thankful, my unread books are not. 😂 4y
52 likes1 stack add3 comments
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TJAhearne
The Kept | James Scott
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Great day for this!

1 stack add
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shell2171
The Kept | James Scott
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We just moved into our new home. I'm pretty sure I found my fall reading spot.

Grrlbrarian THAT VIEW THO 😍❤️❤️❤️ 7y
Cinfhen Congrats ❤️ 7y
10 likes2 comments
review
Loralie
The Kept | James Scott
Pickpick

Amazing book. I really enjoyed Elspeth & Caleb, but all of the characters were great. It ended a hit abruptly but the journey was great. Flawed characters that felt well fleshed out, I would reread this for sure!

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mostlycatsandcoffee
The Kept | James Scott
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Kind of want to give this a try. Found it on my shelf but the reviews are only so-so. Anyone else read it? Also, my nails match. 😊💅🏻

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HotMessJess
The Kept | James Scott
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Mehso-so

OK. FINALLY. MY GOODNESS. Great start, murdered me to keep reading about 250 pages in and just wanted to shake Elspeth and maybe slap her. 6/10. Now going to completely immerse myself into Under the Dome. Prepare yourselves for 10,000 progress photos.

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I just started this one yesterday on audio! Liked? 7y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment
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HotMessJess
The Kept | James Scott
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Finishing this up tonight, loving these late summer rays. Sorry I take so long to finish books- work has me swamped!

BookishFeminist No need to apologize! We all read at our own pace. :) Hope your work load lightens though for your sake! 8y
HotMessJess @BookishFeminist kills me, it's such a great book and I'm literally swimming in work! Ahhhhh adulting sucks 8y
BookishFeminist @HotMessJess Adulting is the absolute worst 8y
5 likes3 comments
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HotMessJess
The Kept | James Scott
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"We do what we have to do so we can be unafraid"

Husband catching me in my natural habitat.

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HotMessJess
The Kept | James Scott
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This book is taking some interesting turns. Not sure how I feel, who is the bad guy, so. Many. Questions. Also sour beers on hot days 🌞🍻🌞

sherrynuts Mmmm...sour beers. ❤️ 8y
HotMessJess @sherrynuts yes. A new favorite of mine! 8y
HotMessJess Along with books haha 8y
sherrynuts You are doing your Sunday right! 😄 8y
HotMessJess @sherrynuts right?! Hahah 8y
6 likes5 comments
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HotMessJess
The Kept | James Scott
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I'm finishing this damn thing today. Sunday morning rituals in California ❤️📚

6 likes2 stack adds
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HotMessJess
The Kept | James Scott
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Finally some me time

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HotMessJess
The Kept | James Scott
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Pickpick

This book is ridiculously good. I love the long prose and how the characters are being fleshed out. I also drink, a lot. Books and booze just compliment one another. ;)

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HotMessJess
The Kept | James Scott
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"Whose children are these?"

Have you ever read something in a book and just been like "WTF?!" - me currently

BookishFeminist Indeed I have, those are my fav types of books! Most recent experience was 8y
HotMessJess @BookishFeminist adding that to the stacks 8y
BookishFeminist @HotMessJess Can't wait to see your thoughts! So creepy but a great book. 8y
3 likes3 comments
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HotMessJess
The Kept | James Scott
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I love my beer, my body and my books. Also it's 103 right now and this girl needs a tan. (Yes, that's a Hallow's tattoo 🙈).

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HotMessJess
The Kept | James Scott
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8:00pm, 84 degrees, Cabernet and a good book. Summer, I am so ready.

brendanmleonard Oh man so pretty! Reminds of summer in the Catskills with a beer and a book. 8y
HotMessJess @brendanmleonard my back yard, love it! Perfect place to read.... Also perfect place to read, drink and get horrible sunburns 😐😳 8y
6 likes2 comments
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HotMessJess
The Kept | James Scott
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"Elspeth Howell was a sinner"

I can't be the only person who reads two books at once... ???

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dog_earedbookreviews
The Kept | James Scott
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Pickpick

Words that come to mind when describing James Scott's debut novel: bleak, haunting, compelling. This novel explores justice and retribution, gender roles, grief and loss, and the relationship between parents and their children.

2 likes2 stack adds