Bob, Jennifer, and Helen possess a profound understanding of life within the confines of a small, prairie town. While the close-knit community offers its advantages, Bob is burdened by the incessant rumors and scandalous conjecture that follow him following a near-fatal accident. Despite Helen’s esteemed reputation as a nurse, she is well aware that her past harbors certain secrets that some astute individuals may uncover. Jennifer finds herself caught between the realm she has explored at college and the duty to remain close to her mother. As they traverse through life, both as a unit and as individuals, Jennifer frequently reminds them that existence, in all its forms, resembles an iron cage, and genuine liberation lies in the ability to shape one’s own destiny.

In Tangled Iron Cages on the Prairie by Cecil Homer, this intricate narrative unfurls the tale of Bob and Jennifer during their final years in high school and the subsequent college experiences while intricately delving into their unique connections with Helen. The backdrop of a rural Illinois prairie town in the late 1950s conjures a bygone way of life imbued with a surreal quality. Homer skillfully portrays their existence as simultaneously vapid and all-encompassing. The story adeptly shifts perspectives among all three characters, yet it is Bob who emerges as the driving force behind the plot. His enigmatic past hinted at but never overtly revealed, along with his intricate relationships with both women, renders him the most captivating character within these pages.

A recurring theme that resonates profoundly throughout this narrative is the notion that freedom is but an illusion. Each character grapples with this idea, often oblivious to its profound impact on their own lives. Despite Jennifer’s frequent elucidation, she remains the sole individual who seems to grasp the full implications of this concept. Buried within these pages lies an undeniably extraordinary and enthralling story, yet the narrative structure often reads more akin to an instructional manual than a work of fiction. Furthermore, the language employed is excessively formal and stilted, deviating significantly from authentic dialogue. Regrettably, these factors detract from the book’s poignant moments and dilute the genuine humanity of its characters. However, it is worth noting that Homer’s unconventional choice for the book’s conclusion exhibits a commendable audacity, despite its departure from traditional norms.

Tangled Iron Cages on the Prairie by Cecil Homer is a compelling look at life in the 50’s and 60’s in the Midwest state of Illinois. This blend of themes from family values, life in a farming community, religion, sex, and blackmail make this first novel by the author one readers will be drawn into. Despite some of the drawbacks, this is a wonderful story to pick up and travel back in time to a different way of life.

Pages: 152 | ASIN : B0B6GL3GGT