The Light of Shimmering Cove

This novella is the second of two stories featuring adventurous school teacher Jack Carment. He discovers a unique injustice regarding one of his students’ parents while teaching at school which compels him to attempt to right the wrong. In doing so, he meets many challenges, reacquaints himself with his former attorney, and goes on a solo sea kayaking trip in order to gain insight into the problems facing him.

Filled with both descriptive outdoor adventure and anecdotal classroom scenes, the story weaves ocean and big river scenery and adventure together with some creative problem solving. Throughout the story readers will also find a sprinkling of philosophy, some regarding the outdoors, some regarding precepts of education.

Short scenes of Jack’s sea kayaking trip on the Columbia River recount in flashback form Jack's creative approach to the challenging problem at school. The court case which then ensues culminates with Jack’s attempt to help someone seek justice.

The work is liberally spiced with dialogue, much of it pertaining to the classroom and the courtroom, but also finding voice with other community members in town. Descriptions of the Columbia River and the Oregon Coast are loaded with sensory imagery and vivid detail.

Although purely fiction, the work is semi-autobigraphical in nature. The work also features some original song lyrics written by the author who has thirty years of experience as a singer/songwriter. Other classic folk and popular songs are discussed along with classic quotes from Thoreau, Conrad, and Melville. Both educators and outdoor enthusiasts will surely enjoy this piece. It has something to offer both reading audiences. Whether or not a young adult readership would enjoy such a work remains to be seen.

This is not a complicated novel, nor is it a lengthy one. It can be read easily in one or two sittings.