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The Cracked Mirror, Reflections of an Appalachian Son
When Prentice Paul Hiller enters the senior care facility he brings with him not only a hip surgery gone wrong, but a mirror of his past, cracked with the stress of all his a family broken apart by their Appalachian circumstances and the 'great depression'; a childhood tainted by a father's abusive nature; an impetuous marriage and a sorrowful divorce; a subsequent search of 'isms' and for love and meaning in California bars; a tableau of horrible events, including a senseless murder and a desert survival.
THE CRACKED MIRROR, Reflections of an Appalachian Son, is a search for some semblance of legacy by PP Hiller as he feels the weight of aging and a perceived inconsequental life, In an Arizona senior care facility he bonds with Greta Fogel, herself a patient and a former clinical psychologist. Encouraged by Greta, PP writes of his life, his heritage, his mistakes, the events that have shaped him, and the demon within that he cannot dispel. He gives his passionate views on criminal justice, love, politics, religion, war, and his favorite writers. Greta gives her insight and support, telling some of her own life's secrets. There is pain in the writing of his memoir, but there is also closure and a guarded inner peace. This short stay in the care facility brings more clarity to PP's life and yet another memory to store away... to take with him to the 'Sea of Cortez'.
"In the end my story must be like so many others, the story of a simple kid who grew up eating some emotional soup and spending a lifetime trying to digest it."
THE CRACKED MIRROR, Reflections of an Appalachian Son, is a search for some semblance of legacy by PP Hiller as he feels the weight of aging and a perceived inconsequental life, In an Arizona senior care facility he bonds with Greta Fogel, herself a patient and a former clinical psychologist. Encouraged by Greta, PP writes of his life, his heritage, his mistakes, the events that have shaped him, and the demon within that he cannot dispel. He gives his passionate views on criminal justice, love, politics, religion, war, and his favorite writers. Greta gives her insight and support, telling some of her own life's secrets. There is pain in the writing of his memoir, but there is also closure and a guarded inner peace. This short stay in the care facility brings more clarity to PP's life and yet another memory to store away... to take with him to the 'Sea of Cortez'.
"In the end my story must be like so many others, the story of a simple kid who grew up eating some emotional soup and spending a lifetime trying to digest it."
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2011
About the author
Billy Ray Chitwood
21 books83 followers- Graduate of Lycoming College (Williamsport, PA) - BA English
- Actor in film, stage, television
- Honorably and proudly served in the United States Navy
- Taught school (Advanced Writing)
- Worked in Sales and Marketing for major textbook publishers
- Owned and ran a business
- Author of 14 books, with one more in the oven
- Recently moved from The Sea of Cortez with wife, Julie Anne, and 'George' (a Bengal cat with some serious attitude). Now live in the bluegrass rolling hills of Kentucky.
-Writing is therapy for the soul.
- Actor in film, stage, television
- Honorably and proudly served in the United States Navy
- Taught school (Advanced Writing)
- Worked in Sales and Marketing for major textbook publishers
- Owned and ran a business
- Author of 14 books, with one more in the oven
- Recently moved from The Sea of Cortez with wife, Julie Anne, and 'George' (a Bengal cat with some serious attitude). Now live in the bluegrass rolling hills of Kentucky.
-Writing is therapy for the soul.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 25, 2017
Described as 'fiction but 90% true', the author has created protagonist Prentice Paul Hiller as a man reflecting on his life whilst recovering from a hip operation in a nursing home.
We follow his journey from his birth in Appalachia, where there were idyllic times, happy childhood days, ( his mom was a great cook and of course the food tasted that much better because it was served up with a great big dollop of love!) Unfortunately there were traumatic times too during The Great Depression, when his mom and dad would fight, and I mean fight in the true sense of the word, with his mom suffering some beatings. Prentice's life turns out to be rather eventful. His story is raw and gritty, but written with simplicity and an honesty that ensures there are no skeletons left in the proverbial cupboard.
There were times when it appeared his life might spiral out of control, but he does eventually gain back that control and carves out a good and comfortable life for himself. He's an intelligent man, a good person who appreciates the love of his family, though his demons do come back to haunt him from time to time.
There were some deeply moving moments, but they were told with a clarity and candour that made it a pleasure to read. It's clear that the author's life mirrors that of his protagonist, and it gave a great insight into the life of this Appalachian boy.
We follow his journey from his birth in Appalachia, where there were idyllic times, happy childhood days, ( his mom was a great cook and of course the food tasted that much better because it was served up with a great big dollop of love!) Unfortunately there were traumatic times too during The Great Depression, when his mom and dad would fight, and I mean fight in the true sense of the word, with his mom suffering some beatings. Prentice's life turns out to be rather eventful. His story is raw and gritty, but written with simplicity and an honesty that ensures there are no skeletons left in the proverbial cupboard.
There were times when it appeared his life might spiral out of control, but he does eventually gain back that control and carves out a good and comfortable life for himself. He's an intelligent man, a good person who appreciates the love of his family, though his demons do come back to haunt him from time to time.
There were some deeply moving moments, but they were told with a clarity and candour that made it a pleasure to read. It's clear that the author's life mirrors that of his protagonist, and it gave a great insight into the life of this Appalachian boy.
October 26, 2013
When I reviewed Mr Chitwood's novel "Mama's Madness" last year, I applauded the author's gritty, literary style and noted he was a writer outside of the 'usual' Indie mould - a chance-taker, and one who speaks his mind without pandering unduly to his readership.
"The Cracked Mirror" reinforces my view of Billy Ray Chitwood as a man of words. The book is a 'fictional' memoir, although most of the material is supplied from Chitwood's own life.
Prentice Paul Hiller, the book's first-person protagonist, is in the twilight of his years. He is recovering from hip replacement surgery in an old people's facility. This provides him with the opportunity to reflect on his life; its highs and its disappointments. Hiller uses his enforced leisure time to document a restless, tumbleweed existence from a childhood of poverty in 1930s Tennessee to the present day. He is candid about what he perceives as his failures. In spite of his rationalisations, he remains haunted by his actions and inactions, missed opportunities and unsuccessful relationships. Chitwood presents us with a mind on a quest for meaning and understanding. Above all he gives us a portrait of a man trying to come to terms with guilt; an individual working towards self-forgiveness and peace of mind. This is a touching book and a brave one.
Some of the musings on the state of present-day America were lost on this British reader, but they may well have a resonance for those residing on the other side of the Atlantic.
This is a worthwhile and thought-provoking read. Five stars.
"The Cracked Mirror" reinforces my view of Billy Ray Chitwood as a man of words. The book is a 'fictional' memoir, although most of the material is supplied from Chitwood's own life.
Prentice Paul Hiller, the book's first-person protagonist, is in the twilight of his years. He is recovering from hip replacement surgery in an old people's facility. This provides him with the opportunity to reflect on his life; its highs and its disappointments. Hiller uses his enforced leisure time to document a restless, tumbleweed existence from a childhood of poverty in 1930s Tennessee to the present day. He is candid about what he perceives as his failures. In spite of his rationalisations, he remains haunted by his actions and inactions, missed opportunities and unsuccessful relationships. Chitwood presents us with a mind on a quest for meaning and understanding. Above all he gives us a portrait of a man trying to come to terms with guilt; an individual working towards self-forgiveness and peace of mind. This is a touching book and a brave one.
Some of the musings on the state of present-day America were lost on this British reader, but they may well have a resonance for those residing on the other side of the Atlantic.
This is a worthwhile and thought-provoking read. Five stars.
February 11, 2015
"The Cracked Mirror" by Billy Ray Chitwood is a thoughtful and reflective fictional memoir. The author's life is told from one care home inmate to the other, giving us a dual narrative of life story from 1933 on wards and the present day relationship between the friends who are talking.
Well crafted and put together the story gives a lot of fascinating historical background facts as well as good character development. A very good read.
Well crafted and put together the story gives a lot of fascinating historical background facts as well as good character development. A very good read.
August 17, 2019
Prentice Paul Hiller is a deep thinker who has a strong opinion about everything. Aging and suffering from a hip injury, the man is forced to spend time recovering in a senior nursing complex. At first, he judges the staff he dubs, ‘the greenies,’ with a cynical mindset. He is plagued by painful memories and guilt over past mistakes, his view of life is pretty dim.
That all begins to change after he meets Greta, a temporary resident and former clinical psychologist who encourages Prentice to talk and write about them. The story runs in a dual narrative style, each chapter alternates between the distant past and his current life in the nursing home. I appreciated this style, as it linked his life experiences as the possible cause for his mental and emotional anguish. An abusive father, the murder of a beloved uncle, a failed marriage, and a child who developes a drug addiction, are only a few of the ghosts that haunt this poor man.
The reader cannot help but be drawn into the drama, joy, trauma, mischief, and heartbreak that makes up the life of Prentice. The personal growth and healing that takes place during his stay at the home is encouraging, and character growth is what makes a story great! He comes to an undertsanding, not only about himself, but others, as well. His abusive father had his own demons, and there is both dark and light in almost everyone and everyplace. He learns to forgive those who have trespassed against him, including himself. He sees the world with new eyes, including those meanie ‘greenies.’
The only issue, and it might be just a personal pet peeve, is the frequent use of parenthesis in the writing. It’s just not my thing, so others may not be as opposed.
Despite this one quirk, I highly recommend this book. If you are into interesting life stories where the main character comes to personal growth and understanding, this is a must-read.
That all begins to change after he meets Greta, a temporary resident and former clinical psychologist who encourages Prentice to talk and write about them. The story runs in a dual narrative style, each chapter alternates between the distant past and his current life in the nursing home. I appreciated this style, as it linked his life experiences as the possible cause for his mental and emotional anguish. An abusive father, the murder of a beloved uncle, a failed marriage, and a child who developes a drug addiction, are only a few of the ghosts that haunt this poor man.
The reader cannot help but be drawn into the drama, joy, trauma, mischief, and heartbreak that makes up the life of Prentice. The personal growth and healing that takes place during his stay at the home is encouraging, and character growth is what makes a story great! He comes to an undertsanding, not only about himself, but others, as well. His abusive father had his own demons, and there is both dark and light in almost everyone and everyplace. He learns to forgive those who have trespassed against him, including himself. He sees the world with new eyes, including those meanie ‘greenies.’
The only issue, and it might be just a personal pet peeve, is the frequent use of parenthesis in the writing. It’s just not my thing, so others may not be as opposed.
Despite this one quirk, I highly recommend this book. If you are into interesting life stories where the main character comes to personal growth and understanding, this is a must-read.
July 21, 2021
I've read the author's stories on his blog posts as well as some of his fiction. I wish I hadn't waited so long to read his memoir, which he calls "fictional memoir" but it's full of his own story. Chitwood's writing style is fascinating and complex, yet not difficult to read. Segments of the book go back and forth from the major character's time as an older gent recuperating from hip surgery in a rehab facility, to segments of his life as a child, teen, young married husband and father, divorced man with a guilty conscious that leads him to womanizing and alcohol, and then "finding himself" through an unexpected almost spiritual near death experience. Intermittently philosophical and dramatic, introspective and yet also full of romance/despair and action, the book kept me riveted and engaged with the well-developed characters. A full-bodied exploration of an intense life, still full of hope and love.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews