Can You See Anything Now?

Can You See Anything Now?  A Novel by Katherine James

Upon seeing this book on my doorstep for the first time, I was very intrigued by the cover, the fact that this was the author’s first novel, and that Paraclete Press was back publishing fiction, alongside their beautiful and profound religious literature.  This book, Can You See Anything Now is a novel of intersecting characters whose lives illuminate the themes of friendship, deep brokenness, and immense suffering.  Though this book was sure to bring one to both tears and anger, its message was intertwined between hope and despair, a novel that caused the reader to look deeply into the road each character walked.

One of the main characters of the book, Margie, was the mother of Noel, and the wife of Nick, the counselor.  Margie walks on the precipice of despair, suffering deeply from depression and meaninglessness.  Yet, part of the beauty of the book is the way Katherine draws Margie out of her loneliness through Etta.  Both painters in their own right, Etta brings to Margie an eagerness as a student to a teacher, someone who wants to learn from a master.  Yet, as the novel progresses, Etta brings as much light to Margie’s life as Margie does to Etta’s life.  Though the painting skills might be different, the relationship remains the more important aspect of their relationship.

Katherine develops Pixie’s character, the young roommate of Noel’s in a very unique but stark way.  She writes of Pixie, “When she reached the fifth grace, Pixie learned that life didn’t have to feel the way it did – flat and undeveloped – when a boy from the middle school gave her half of an ecstasy.  When Pete came home the night she had taken the ecstasy, she had nothing to say to him, she just picked up his arm and kissed it, she loved him so much.  Her life quickly became books, and pills, and then sex.” (56)  Her story progresses to actions of despair and then an unfortunate accident, but you see the way her life unravels in the story.  She never really calls her father, ‘Dad,’ ‘daddy,’ or any endearing term, for there was really no substantial relationship there. 

Overall, the novel was a deeply felt and tangible communication of the bruises of life and those who we share the hurt with.  The characters of Noel and Owen brought some relief to the harsh realities of the other character and their self-inflicted pain alongside the way the brokenness of this world affecting us all. 

Thanks to Paraclete Press for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.