Crabheart

by Richard Average, Walter Gurbo (Illustrator)

If you've ever wondered about the 20th Century American seafaring man, this quasi-religious poetic tale told by an ex-seaman, will remind you of his feelings and failings, and the depth of his humanity. Seafarers Frank and George, a pair of crusty old hands are brothers who share a family a smoldering anger. Though Frank feeds on his sullenness, perpetuating the hatred or antipathy it engenders, George allows himself moments of kindness and grace, particularly when he encounters a sorrowful soul. Enter Robert, a fair-haired gentle young seaman who 'would whisper Love'. As the story unfolds George pays for Robert's breakfast after which Frank sports with him maliciously. And as George continues to indulge him with kindness, Frank becomes even more intimidating until the young man flies up swearing with uncharacteristic anger, a veritable 'Christ in the Temple'. Momentarily stunned the brothers collapse in tears of laughter, praising Robert's passionate rage. The young man resumes his seat, feeling both vindicated and gratified at the accord he has effected. Thus Robert's addle-headed innocence becomes a sounding board for good and evil as typified by the brothers...that is until the surprise ending...

26 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Ethon O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard average is an author that knows how to really dive in to the weirder and darker parts of life. His books evoke deep emotions, and even when they're not personally relatable, they are insofar as they reflect the human experience that no one talks about. The parts that aren't neat and pretty. The sides of ourselves and the moments of our lives that we may not care to remember, but that were influential nonetheless toward how we navigate life and social situations.