BONSAI
By Sandy Nicolson
Available @ Amazon
294 pgs
It’s the mid-1970s and on the outskirts of Salinas, California,
sets an old gas station that long ago ran out of gas. Owned and operated by a
South Korean immigrant known as Bonsai, the place remains open due Bonsai’s
skills as a mechanic. He can pretty much fix any broken down engine built
before the 90s and not attached to some kind of computer. The station also runs
a small convenience store with the usual assortment of dry goods and soda for
the luckless driver who wanders off the interstate in the middle of the night.
The mystery attached to the place is Bonsai’s daughter, Lily
who’s origin is unknown by any of the locals.
One day Bonsai ran the garage with his uncle, the previous
owner. Then his uncled died and for a while it was only Bonsai. And then there
was Bonsai and a precious, beautiful baby girl he said was his daughter, Lily.
End of story, or as much as he would ever reveal to anyone. Even Lily.
The fact that he loved her more than anything in the world
and did his best to provide for her, to keep her safe and happy, could not
diminish her need to know about her mother. Still, Bonsai was as stubborn as
his daughter. Finally, Lily left for college, became a lawyer and went to work
for a prestige firm in San Francisco.
Thus establishing her own life, she had nothing further to do with the stoic, impenetrable wall that was her father.
For a first novel, writer Sandy Nicolson displays and
uncanny gift for memorable characters and unusual circumstances. Though none of
the players in the story of Bonsai and Lily is what one would call exceptional,
they remain absolutely fascinating. The riddle that has haunted them for thirty
years slowly begins to unravel as the book moves to its climax and the answers
to mystery are both beautiful and tragic. People, even imperfect people, can
sometimes find love. If they are wise, they will hold on and never let go.
Bravo, Sandy Nicolson, “Bonsai” as a truly wonderful surprise.
