Review of Stolid

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Stolid" by Aaron D Key.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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STOLID
Author: Aaron D. Key

The story unfolds on a damp and chilly day on a bustling road in England, where our enigmatic protagonist, Stolid, stands in the rain, hitching for a lift. Finally, a stranger stops and he finds solace inside a warm car. Who is this mysterious man? Why does he veer off the road and convince Stolid to walk in the middle of nowhere? As we delve deeper, we uncover his life, loves, ambitions, and sorrows. The narrative oscillates between different times, weaving a web that connects his present predicament to his past.

We are transported back in time to a violent incident that links Stolid to his first love. Initially, he treads cautiously, but soon, he becomes emotionally entwined with Joseph. The reader is immersed in his emotions, feeling the depth of his joy and the weight of his sorrow. Tragedy befalls him, and he grieves in his own way, being 'lost at sea' for a considerable period. The reader is compelled to journey with him until the satisfying conclusion.

As I began to read, the beauty and fluidity of the prose and the intriguing, personable story-line drew me in. The reader will feel the dank, dark atmosphere. I found his descriptive prose outstanding. Aaron Key's language is like poetry. There are many beautiful lines but a few stand out and really bring the novel to life.

Although we realise that sex does happen in the book, there are no sexually graphic scenes. There is also very little profanity, so this novel is suitable for late teens and older.

Stolid seems melancholic and old beyond his years at times, and we often feel sympathy towards him.

It's an immensely enjoyable book that never gets tedious, with beautifully measured words and characters. I found a sense of the paranormal. I cannot fault this book, either grammatically (it's perfectly edited) or for its content. Five out of five stars is appropriate.

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Stolid
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