Synopsis

Born during the worst of her mother’s addiction, Priscilla, Blaize’s second daughter, begins at an early age to count the years until she can escape the drudgery and boredom of her dismal, impoverished life, all the while watching as her older siblings leave one by one.

Cast out on her own at the age of sixteen, Priscilla ventures forth in search of an uncertain future while grappling with her sexuality and the phenomenal capacity of her mind. Using the Appalachian Trail as a means of escape, distracted from her obsessive nature by the day-to-day trials of the wilderness, Priscilla’s journey thrusts her into the company of diverse people who steer her toward a fuller understanding of the complexities of life and relationships.

Through confounding emotions, heartache, and moments of grace, she is forced to confront mortality, love, and loss, all pointing her toward a staggering awareness of space and time.

With deliberate cunning, Priscilla does battle on her own terms, calling forth the hardened legacy of her family as she fights against the abuses she encounters in society.

A remarkably poignant coming-of-age story that unfolds against a harsh and unrelenting backdrop, Priscilla Speaks is extraordinary.  In this confident and captivating novel, novelist Kirk Ward Robison has created a protagonist who is far more than unforgettable:  Priscilla Speaks is the type of character who will burrow into a reader’s soul.  With its quiet commentary on how hope can spring from a seemingly hopeless environment, and how human decency can prevail despite horrific circumstances, Priscilla Speaks is thoughtful and thought-provoking. Bold, brave, and brilliantly rendered, Priscilla Speaks is an unmistakably real, unapologetically raw, undeniably remarkable story of how one young woman plumbs her family’s dismal legacy to find strength, tenacity, and courage.

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Praise

In an advance review, Feathered Quill Book Reviews lavishes high praise on Priscilla Speaks:

“Priscilla Speaks is impressive…[Priscilla] is a witty and captivating protagonist. With language that keeps the reading fascinating and flowing, this is a thought-provoking work that can be read as a stand-alone novel, but will undoubtedly pique the reader’s curiosity of the series’ predecessors.”

Review

This coming-of-age story reads like it is set in the early to mid 1900s, when in fact it is more current day. It is hard to fathom that there are areas of the USA that are so small and steeped in poverty. While in my head, I know this is true, it still boggles my mind.

Priscilla is an odd duck, but as the author states before the novel starts, and is evidenced by her behavior, she is autistic. She is smart and could shine if she chose, but she states that she normally aims for a C grade, maybe a B in later years. However, she is always learning and isn’t interested in what the teachers are trying to impart to the other students. It also doesn’t help that she knows she is different, but she is never told why. While a counselor has an idea, no one ever tells her or her mother why she is different. I’m not sure why that information isn’t passed along. But then, considering how Blaize acts, she probably wouldn’t accept it.

Priscilla has her own ideas of what she wants from life, and striking out on her own is one way she believes she can achieve independence. She is 16 or 17 when she leaves home and starts on the Appalachian Trail. This journey is not for the faint of heart, but she is blessed and is taken under the wing of another traveler, Fits. So much could go wrong in today’s world, but she got lucky meeting him. She encounters other interesting characters along the way, including Season. A one night affair solidifies Priscilla’s sexuality and her preference for women. Season’s nickname is apt because she comes into Priscilla’s life for a season.

I was intrigued by the life Priscilla created for herself. The jobs she held educated her young mind beyond what she could ever imagine. Priscilla has a strong moral compass and does not tolerate the actions or behaviors of coworkers. I admired her for that. Her strong will throughout her life brought her to this point. She never shied away from protecting herself or those she cared about, especially her brother, Timewell.

This is the fourth in the series about this family, but it can be read on its own. A reader might benefit from reading the first three books to understand the family dynamics, although it’s not necessary.

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Author

Kirk Ward Robinson, a four-time Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, was born and raised in South Texas and has since lived in every continental American time zone. He is an inveterate hiker and cyclist, which is how he prefers to travel and explore the world. Robinson’s wide-ranging career has included roles as a chief operating officer, bookstore manager, stagehand, bicycle mechanic, and executive director of an educational non-profit organization in cooperation with the National Park Service. Robinson is the author of sixteen novels and memoirs. He lives on an ancestral farm in middle Tennessee.

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