|
Ocean explores relationships
Water is a universal theme as Loretta Cobb hits nothing but high marks in her debut collection, “The Ocean Was Salt.” This ten story anthology explores not only Mother Ocean, but also tenuous father-son and motherdaughter relationships as well as life on campus.
Within “Before We Crawled To Tears,” Big Papa pops open a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Foam splatters everywhere as he watches his teenage son off in the distance, the boy on his first drive with the family car along the beach at Daytona. “Feeling Salty” introduces us to Nick, his son, Tony, and Tony’s friends,Wes and Alyce. This zany ensemble, combined with a strained father-son relationship, is set over a lazy summer stay at the beach. Full of crabtraps and rich characterizations such as Alyce, the high-spirited cosmetology student, this piece is both entertaining and poignant.
When it comes to mothers and daughters, Cobb gets the relationships and the voices just right. Two sisters, Bonita and Lucinda, attend a tent revival in “That Fall.” Brother Billy, says, “And don’t worry this tent is fireproof, just as fireproof as your soul can be if you’ll get right with the Lord tonight.” The author also demonstrates a fascinating knack for summoning the senses. In recalling her mother’s clothing, a young daughter says, “Her dress smelled like ginger snaps.”
 | | The Ocean Was Salt By Loretta Cobb Livingston Press 2004 ISBN # 1-931982-26-0 softcover #14.95 152 pages |
|
Forget long drawn out characterizations and introductions. Loretta Cobb has an innate ability to immediately delve into the events of her characters’ lives. And when it comes to the southern female spirit, few do it better than Cobb. “Belle’s Balls” is a splendid account of true southern grit. The wife of the college president, Belle, the hostess with the mostest, provides her guests, including the swashbuckling playwright, Professor George Armand, with her Ammunition Punch. The dialogue is snappy and the plot whiz-bang. Writes Cobb, “She remembered the first time she had seen Armand at a reception after a board meeting. He hovered in the corner with a group of angry, bearded profs, his hands gesturing so passionately she thought he’d drop the cigarette he hungrily sucked. She figured if he made love with the intensity he smoked cigarettes, he could be deadly.”
“Out” is a compelling story of Rajena, a married teacher, who finds herself involved with the despicable Jim Wright, a man who eventually becomes the president of the college. In polished prose, Cobb writes, “He guided her through the narrow streets under iron balconies bulging with bougainvillea. The floral scent and the night sounds were seductive—the wails of horns competing with soft, throaty laughter from the shadows.”
With a cadence of voice reminiscent of fellow southern writer Lee Smith and rollicking and absorbing characters that take the reader in like an undertow, Cobb’s first collection is solid. The wife of celebrated southern author William Cobb, Loretta Cobb is in uncharted waters, yet swimming confidently without float or towrope. This Bread Loaf College and highly credentialed graduate writer displays vivid characterizations that are effortless and gripping. Look for more to come from Loretta Cobb.
|
|
