Skade Felsdottir is caught in the jaws of a creative funk. She is a photographer working on the biggest project of her career. Skade has been traversing the country and taking pictures of roadside memorials often known as descansos left in tribute to victims of highway-related tragedies. Despite the progression of her research, a malaise has been creeping inside Skade. Any downtime only leads to Skade taking up the bottle and becoming lost in thoughts of despair. Her agent has been urgently prodding Skade to complete her research and manuscript. Skade doesn’t feel as if the book is finished and in a desperate attempt to buy time, she decides to take a photo of a descanso that will force her to confront the past.
Skade left her hometown abruptly before she was to leave for college. The past is the source of recurring nightmares and her current procrastination has forced this reluctant reunion. Skade attempts to maintain a low profile in completing her work, however fate doesn’t want to comply. She is prevented from taking photos of the local monument by a construction crew, but Skade receives some luck when meeting Kit. Kit is the sole female member of the crew and is more amenable to Skade’s request. She not only promises to help get Skade access to the monument but also promises to acquaint Skade with other descansos.
The days are productive, but Skade’s nights tend to end in a mind-numbing haze of intoxication and bad decisions. The torment of her younger years is now within painful proximity and alcohol dulls the hurt. The drinking becomes more pronounced after her encounter with her ex-boyfriend Lane. Lane’s desire to rekindle their relationship leaves Skade more determined to expedite her work. Her connection with Kit and their developing friendship carries complications that further threaten Skade’s stability along with her work.
In the incredibly moving American Still Life, Skade Felsdottir is intent on keeping everyone at a distance. Her magnum opus involves the encapsulating of people’s tribute to their loved ones and keeping their memories alive while Skade’s memories are to be buried and forgotten. Skade brings an array of profound emotions to her character, free-spirited to reckless, warm to steely. Skade has found a counterbalance to the disorder in her life with Kit. Kit is a sweet and amiable woman who Skade mentors and is protective of. The ebbs and flows of their friendship define this novel. Author Jim Naremore has written a winning and appealing novel about life and death, healing, and friendship that is impactful with every plot twist.
