Some Sort of Normal is a realistic, confessional novel that shuffles between rationalizations and redemption of the protagonist, Mark Beetleman. Not since Vladimir Nabokov wrote his earth-shattering Lolita in 1955 has anyone attempted the topic of pedophilia on this level. After reading, Some Sort of Normal, no one will walk away without wondering what lurks in the dark shadows of their own family closet. This book will force you to analyze your perspective on forgiveness, redemption and mercy. You will never trust your child to be alone with a male ever again.
In, Some Sort of Normal, Grove successfully fuses elements of literary realism and memoir styles into the difficult but socially relevant topic of pedophilia. Bravely and well written.
Some Sort of Normal, is James Frey's, Million Little Pieces, meets Vladimir Nabokov's, Lolita.
Author Biography:
Richard M. Grove otherwise known to friends as, Tai, born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1953 is now a Brighton artist, writer, photographer and editor, living in Presqu'ile Provincial Park with his writer, editor, teacher wife, Kim where they run a writer/artist/birder B&B. Richard is the president of the CCLA - Canada Cuba Literary Alliance as well as the founding president of the Brighton Arts Council. He has had over 100 poems and essays published in periodicals around the world as well as having been published in over 30 anthologies. His first book of poetry titled Beyond Fear and Anger was released in 1997. His second book titled Poems For Jack was released in 2002 with A View of Contrasts soon after that. His book of digital paintings and poetry entitled Sky Over Presqu=ile: Fragments of Time was released in 2003. Family Reunion, a collection of short stories / novella was published in 2007 and is now in its 3rd edition. Psycho Babble and the Consternations of Life was released in 2008 with The Importance of Good Roots and three Cuba travel memoirs fallowing in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013. He was an active member of the CPA - Canadian Poetry Association for almost ten years serving on the executive for seven years including five as President. Richard is also the founder of the Canadian Poet Registry, an archival information website that lists Canadian poets including biographical information, their book titles and awards. Richard has given speeches, readings and workshops on poetry, writing and publishing at literary festivals in Canada, Cuba, Germany and New Zealand. Since graduating from Ontario College of Art, in 1984, Richard/Tai has exhibited in more than twenty, solo and group exhibitions in Hamilton, Toronto, Boston, Calgary and Grand Prairie. He has his paintings in over thirty corporate collections across Canada. Having grown up with artist parents, visual art is at the core of his being. His book of digital paintings, Substantiality, was published in 2006 with a book of photography entitled Oxido Rojo released in the fall of 2006 followed by a book of photography entitled terra firma. His photographs were featured in a collaborative book with poet, James Deahl. North of Belleville, in 2012 followed by In This We Hear The Light whith his photographs of Cuba and poems by John B. Lee published in 2013. His photography has been featured in numerous other books and on over 75 book covers.
