AUTUMN VS JACK KETCHUM’S BOOK OF SOULS, PART 2

Autumn Leaves’ Favorite Author Becomes One of Her Favorite Human Beings as She Delves into “Book of Souls” by Jack Ketchum

TITLE: Book of Souls

AUTHORS: Jack Ketchum

GENRE: Memoir, Nonfiction

PAGES: 80

 PRICE: Ebook $3.99, Audiobook $4.82

Right off the bat, let me say that this is my first review of a nonfiction work and I have deliberated for some time over how to approach it, so please bear with me. One thing I know for sure is, I do not possess the skills to do this work justice. There is simply so much to unpack in this one, even though it is only 80 pages, that I cannot cover it all in a simple review.

What I will attempt to do is address the parts of this book as Ketchum wrote them, and express how they made me feel. I will do this over two weeks.

PART TWO OF REVIEW

“Risky Living: A Memoir”

I found this section especially fascinating. Ketchum describes his first love, a woman he refers to as Jen. What I found interesting is that he shares that she is the inspiration for the main female character in Hide and Seek, a great book that I wish got more praise. Naturally, I was eager to learn more.

Jen’s risky behavior is her drug use. While many college students rely on the occasional ‘mother’s little helper’ to meet assignment deadlines and the like, Jen’s usage quickly escalates into concerning territory. She begins to shoot up meth and the needle is what concerns Ketchum the most: too much, too frightening, too risky. With his worries rising, he cannot keep up with her punishing schedule of fixes. Her friends are also starting to give up on her, convinced that she is too far gone to save. The last straw seems to come when she (and this part actually did get a tear or two out of me) takes a kitten he has recently given her to show to her friends and can’t remember where she took it.

At this point, Ketchum feels he has no choice but to ask for help. He contacts Jen’s sister and tells her that Jen needs to come home, her drug use will kill her if she continues. Though he knew it would mean the end of their relationship, he loved her too much to allow her to keep hurting herself.

I want to say more, as I love how this section closed, but that really is something you should read for yourself, especially if you are a Ketchum fan. Trust me, you will become an even bigger one.

“Us Again”

This section was about what happened to New York City after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. It is a series of emails between Ketchum – who closes his messages with “D” – and a friend, talking about how the NYC they knew and loved had changed and would never be the same again. There is an insightful comparison made between this time and that of the Vietnam War, when so many lives were lost.

Throughout reminiscing and meeting with friends to discuss what things will look like moving forward, a message I found beautiful is shared: don’t become cynical. It is right and necessary for people to care about each other and, thankfully, people are starting to do that once again. Sometimes we have to look to find it, but “there’s always a little bit of heaven in a disaster area” and Ketchum provides the map to that little bit of heaven: you see it every day in the strangers you encounter all throughout your day. Simply, people passing you on the street who are likely just the same as you in all the ways that really count. As Ketchum says, “recognize that. Smile and say hi.”

Autumn Leaves is a Canadian author and poet. Her poem “Siren’s Song” was published when she was 15. Autumn is in love with the dark and has an affinity for all things horrific and disturbing. Autumn is also an avid horror reader and book reviewer. Her favorite author is Jack Ketchum. She lives with her children and army of fur babies on a small island off the coast of Maine.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing, nor do the views or opinions of Crystal Lake necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or its staff. Thank you for understanding.