Review of Stolid
Posted: 08 Oct 2022, 07:57
[Following is a volunteer review of "Stolid" by Aaron D Key.]
“I can’t hurt you without hurting myself," a phrase that rings true for the entirety of the story. The protagonist of Stolid is a man of the same name who revisits his life with an unknown companion. The identity of the companion is ever changing but seems present in all moments of Stolid’s life. Amidst the cold and dreary weather, Aaron D Key sets the stage to revisit Stolid's past where he perceives everything as familiar and new simultaneously. Throughout his life's retelling, Stolid ponders the value of the 'crowd of man.' In doing so, Stolid inadvertently provides insight into the life of a gay man fraught with loneliness, fear, anxiety, apathy, and a general feeling of isolation from the crowd. Although Stolid prefers his isolation and independence, he yearns for and longs to be loved. Stolid is a story of longing, seeking to belong and to be warm in a lover's embrace. How the story unfolds makes Stolid both a lived experience and a realization.
The book is written in a profound manner. The 'crowd of man' was the most alluring theme. The crowd keeps changing meaning under different circumstances. For Stolid, it represents society, his partner’s clique, anything that creates feelings of isolation within him, becoming the ‘other’. The feelings associated with this crowd are captured beautifully by Aaron D Key. Often stolid, Stolid through his inner musings, displays his inner turmoil. Everyone wants to be loved and cherished, and such is the case with Stolid as well. However, the prejudice, hate, and distrust that stigmatise his community in a way isolates him and makes him the ‘other’ to the crowd’s ways. The world, in a way, becomes bifurcated, making it difficult to live in the unified realm. The trials faced by those who identify as queer are portrayed beautifully through metaphors and contrasting pictures. Tired, broken down, and weary, they find themselves at the receiving end of a stranger’s kindness. However, for some, waging war within themselves and moral standards set by society and family can consume their entire being, raging a constant battle. Changing scenery and descriptions of nature are used by Aaron D Key to portray love, levity, and change.
There were no negative aspects found in the book.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Stolid by Aaron D Key is a story of love and acceptance. The book is well-edited with no grammatical errors.
I would recommend this book to those interested in romance novels. The novel depicts love, loneliness, empathy, and identity in a way that would enable people to accept who they are. In the end, all any of us wants is to belong.
******
Stolid
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
“I can’t hurt you without hurting myself," a phrase that rings true for the entirety of the story. The protagonist of Stolid is a man of the same name who revisits his life with an unknown companion. The identity of the companion is ever changing but seems present in all moments of Stolid’s life. Amidst the cold and dreary weather, Aaron D Key sets the stage to revisit Stolid's past where he perceives everything as familiar and new simultaneously. Throughout his life's retelling, Stolid ponders the value of the 'crowd of man.' In doing so, Stolid inadvertently provides insight into the life of a gay man fraught with loneliness, fear, anxiety, apathy, and a general feeling of isolation from the crowd. Although Stolid prefers his isolation and independence, he yearns for and longs to be loved. Stolid is a story of longing, seeking to belong and to be warm in a lover's embrace. How the story unfolds makes Stolid both a lived experience and a realization.
The book is written in a profound manner. The 'crowd of man' was the most alluring theme. The crowd keeps changing meaning under different circumstances. For Stolid, it represents society, his partner’s clique, anything that creates feelings of isolation within him, becoming the ‘other’. The feelings associated with this crowd are captured beautifully by Aaron D Key. Often stolid, Stolid through his inner musings, displays his inner turmoil. Everyone wants to be loved and cherished, and such is the case with Stolid as well. However, the prejudice, hate, and distrust that stigmatise his community in a way isolates him and makes him the ‘other’ to the crowd’s ways. The world, in a way, becomes bifurcated, making it difficult to live in the unified realm. The trials faced by those who identify as queer are portrayed beautifully through metaphors and contrasting pictures. Tired, broken down, and weary, they find themselves at the receiving end of a stranger’s kindness. However, for some, waging war within themselves and moral standards set by society and family can consume their entire being, raging a constant battle. Changing scenery and descriptions of nature are used by Aaron D Key to portray love, levity, and change.
There were no negative aspects found in the book.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. Stolid by Aaron D Key is a story of love and acceptance. The book is well-edited with no grammatical errors.
I would recommend this book to those interested in romance novels. The novel depicts love, loneliness, empathy, and identity in a way that would enable people to accept who they are. In the end, all any of us wants is to belong.
******
Stolid
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon