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The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove
The town of Soldiers Grove is nestled amongst the driftless hills of southwestern Wisconsin. Its winters are long, its warmer seasons bright and challenging. The population is fewer than 600, including those residing in the senior citizens home.
Two of these seniors, Cyril and Louise, have come to live there. Unlikely as it may seem, for they come from very diverse backgrounds, they form a close friendship, and their growing attachment sparks them to adventures and unlikely locations. Ultimately they face frightening circumstances which test them to their limits, while binding and nurturing their growing love for one another.
Instead of slipping gracefully away into old age, Cyril and Louise are compelled to protect themselves against a vicious threat when Balaclava, an out-of-town armed sociopath, relentlessly attempts to rob Cyril not only of his life savings but, if necessary, take his life as well. How they ultimately cope with this threat and resolve this crisis has the makings of a first class thriller.
This thoughtful, bitter-sweet love story represents and chronicles much about our world and the passage of time in this accomplished work by a prize-winning writer.
Two of these seniors, Cyril and Louise, have come to live there. Unlikely as it may seem, for they come from very diverse backgrounds, they form a close friendship, and their growing attachment sparks them to adventures and unlikely locations. Ultimately they face frightening circumstances which test them to their limits, while binding and nurturing their growing love for one another.
Instead of slipping gracefully away into old age, Cyril and Louise are compelled to protect themselves against a vicious threat when Balaclava, an out-of-town armed sociopath, relentlessly attempts to rob Cyril not only of his life savings but, if necessary, take his life as well. How they ultimately cope with this threat and resolve this crisis has the makings of a first class thriller.
This thoughtful, bitter-sweet love story represents and chronicles much about our world and the passage of time in this accomplished work by a prize-winning writer.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 1, 2015
I won this preview edition from Goodreads.
We all will get old eventually. Wouldn't it be nice if we were to encounter an entirely new experience that we can later sit back and savor. This wonderful book introduces us to two elder citizens and their escapades. It will be a while before I forget this book.
We all will get old eventually. Wouldn't it be nice if we were to encounter an entirely new experience that we can later sit back and savor. This wonderful book introduces us to two elder citizens and their escapades. It will be a while before I forget this book.
June 24, 2015
The town of Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, sounds like a beautiful place, a place I’d like to visit. Nestled within the southwestern precipitous hills and attenuated valleys of the Driftless, they’ve got biking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, hunting, and camping. And they have author Paul Zimmer, a resident of over 25 years, a man with a pleasant face that inspires you to just sit down and talk with. So, with the help of one of my favorite publishers on the planet, Marty Shepherd of The Permanent Press, I did.
Paul wrote a wonderful book, “The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove”, with the town as its namesake. Paul’s story – totally fictional – centers upon two seniors, Cyril and Louise, who live in a senior citizens’ home in this town of fewer than 600 residents. The two characters could not be more different – as the characters themselves could be not be more different from their author – yet what happens between them and what Paul does with them is, in many ways, magical as only life can be.
Cyril in particular loves to hear about other people’s lives, but has never truly lived himself. Isn’t life like that for many people? They know something, but they’ve never lived it? They know of an artist maybe – a poet – but have never read any of her poems? They are, in essence and experience, voyeurs of life. Louise, on the other hand, is one who proverbially sucks the marrow from every bone. What I like about both of these characters – and it is a character piece as much as it is a mystery or thriller – is their feistiness, even in the face of death. For a mystery, you could not expect two more unlikely and frail heroes. Yet, they are. And they are portrayed realistically and sensitively.
There are some really funny lines in the book, through the bittersweet perspective of Cyril. I have to admit, Paul’s comparing Caligula, Hitler, and Dick Cheney in the same breath made me laugh. Though we might not always agree, I love Cyril’s take on things, but the reader almost has to be well-read to sometimes find Cyril’s hidden jokes, which I think is a tribute to Paul. A few lines I didn’t get the punch until several lines later when my subconscious hit me. I’m sure many more were simply lost on my experience. Cyril also says things sometimes as only an older person would.
Clay – Paul, the gentleman in the story, Cyril, became personal for me. He knows a little bit about numerous people and remembers them with computer-like skill. He never was an academic character, but – as he says – he is a “collector of lives” by reading blurbs in old Encyclopedias, something I did – and still do. Was this you? Is that where you got the idea for Cyril’s obsession.
Paul – “No. Actually I have never been a big encyclopedia addict. I just made Cyril up as a character, and he is not like me at all. I made up Louise and Balaclava, too. One day they all started talking to each other and the novel started sailing.”
Clay – And sail, it does. In many ways, they’ve talked a lifetime. Like a Grandma Moses of Literature, you’ve waited many years to publish this novel. It’s your first novel, though you’ve had a long career in publishing. Why did it take so long?
Paul – “Well, I guess I was practicing all that time – now that I look back on it. I must have started half-a-dozen novel manuscripts over the years and they all shipwrecked. But this one sailed right along. I made up the characters and they just started talking.”
Clay – In addition to this first novel, you have a prestigious past as a poet. How hard was it to step away from the prose in “The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove” and leave it, rather than search for just the right word or sentence cadence as poetry might require? Or did you search?
Paul – “Oh, there is a lot of poetry in Mysteries. I never stop being a poet, so I guess some of the techniques I’ve used over the years went into this prose effort. I am damned glad for it!”
Clay – Well, it’s no surprise to me that the language of the book sang as it did. Looking back at your life, you’ve received eight Pushcart Awards, an Award for Literature from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, the Open Book Award by the American Society of Journalists and Authors. You’ve served as writer-in-residence at more than a dozen universities, and twice you’ve been awarded Writing Fellowships by the National Endowment for the Arts. You’ve directed university presses in Georgia, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. Your papers are held at Kent State. And – I love this part – given all these accolades, you flunked out of college. Huh, what? To what do you attribute your own incredible character arc?
Paul – “My wife and I got married in our early twenties, but held off having children for about five years. I used to write on my lunch hours and early in the morning before my family got up. I just kept trucking along, working at everything as hard as I could. My kids are in their fifties now and wonderful. My wife and I have been married close to 55 years. I’ve been a lucky guy. But I worked hard. Is this a ‘character arc’? Maybe so. I was never a good student.”
Clay – How did you end up in Wisconsin? This is not the stereotype of where we think writers might reside.
Paul – “Wisconsin is a good place for a writer, I think. We live on a farm two miles in, on a dirt road and are surrounded by woods and fields. Our view into the valley is one of the most beautiful west of the Mississippi in my estimation. We see deer, fox, wild turkeys, bobcats, owls, a variety of birds. Everyday. We hear no traffic sounds. I retired about 25 years ago, so now I have all the time I want to write. Not too bad, eh?”
Clay – No, sir, certainly not bad at all. In fact, it makes me want to rent your guest room. At some point, we would love for you to find your way to Killer Nashville. You would be an incredible inspiration. Can we look for you sometime, maybe this year in our 10th year?
Paul – “Well, you never know. I taught for a semester at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville a few years ago. But I doubt, at the age of 80, if I’ll do much more teaching.”
As I muse on this and my conversations with Paul, I’m not so sure about that. Like Cyril, I think Paul Zimmer still has a few surprises up his sleeve making us realize it is not too late to truly live, to make a life for yourself. Nor to become a writer. Nor to teach yet one more eager mind. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Paul walking down the halls of the Omni this Halloween with his wife like his characters Cyril and Louise do in Paris. If he does, we will all be the better. In poetry or prose, Paul himself truly is “a collector of lives” despite the comparison he wishes to avoid with Cyril. And I love to listen to the cadence of his voice.
Author: Paul J. Zimmer has written 12 books of poetry, including Family Reunion (1983), which won an Arts and Letters Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He is also one of the founders of the Pitt Poetry series. Zimmer has received various awards and honors for his poetry and prose. His first novel “The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove” released in March was received with high praise.
Reviewer: Clay Stafford is an author, filmmaker, and publisher (www.ClayStafford.com) in addition to being the founder of Killer Nashville and publisher of Killer Nashville Magazine. In addition to selling over 1.5 million copies of his own books, Stafford’s latest projects are the documentary “One of the Miracles” and writing the music CD “XO” with Kathryn Dance / Lincoln Rhymes author Jeffery Deaver. He is currently writing a film script based on Peter Straub’s “Pork Pie Hat” for American Blackguard Entertainment.
Killer Nashville's Review of The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove
Killer Nashville's Past Book Reviews
Paul wrote a wonderful book, “The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove”, with the town as its namesake. Paul’s story – totally fictional – centers upon two seniors, Cyril and Louise, who live in a senior citizens’ home in this town of fewer than 600 residents. The two characters could not be more different – as the characters themselves could be not be more different from their author – yet what happens between them and what Paul does with them is, in many ways, magical as only life can be.
Cyril in particular loves to hear about other people’s lives, but has never truly lived himself. Isn’t life like that for many people? They know something, but they’ve never lived it? They know of an artist maybe – a poet – but have never read any of her poems? They are, in essence and experience, voyeurs of life. Louise, on the other hand, is one who proverbially sucks the marrow from every bone. What I like about both of these characters – and it is a character piece as much as it is a mystery or thriller – is their feistiness, even in the face of death. For a mystery, you could not expect two more unlikely and frail heroes. Yet, they are. And they are portrayed realistically and sensitively.
There are some really funny lines in the book, through the bittersweet perspective of Cyril. I have to admit, Paul’s comparing Caligula, Hitler, and Dick Cheney in the same breath made me laugh. Though we might not always agree, I love Cyril’s take on things, but the reader almost has to be well-read to sometimes find Cyril’s hidden jokes, which I think is a tribute to Paul. A few lines I didn’t get the punch until several lines later when my subconscious hit me. I’m sure many more were simply lost on my experience. Cyril also says things sometimes as only an older person would.
Clay – Paul, the gentleman in the story, Cyril, became personal for me. He knows a little bit about numerous people and remembers them with computer-like skill. He never was an academic character, but – as he says – he is a “collector of lives” by reading blurbs in old Encyclopedias, something I did – and still do. Was this you? Is that where you got the idea for Cyril’s obsession.
Paul – “No. Actually I have never been a big encyclopedia addict. I just made Cyril up as a character, and he is not like me at all. I made up Louise and Balaclava, too. One day they all started talking to each other and the novel started sailing.”
Clay – And sail, it does. In many ways, they’ve talked a lifetime. Like a Grandma Moses of Literature, you’ve waited many years to publish this novel. It’s your first novel, though you’ve had a long career in publishing. Why did it take so long?
Paul – “Well, I guess I was practicing all that time – now that I look back on it. I must have started half-a-dozen novel manuscripts over the years and they all shipwrecked. But this one sailed right along. I made up the characters and they just started talking.”
Clay – In addition to this first novel, you have a prestigious past as a poet. How hard was it to step away from the prose in “The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove” and leave it, rather than search for just the right word or sentence cadence as poetry might require? Or did you search?
Paul – “Oh, there is a lot of poetry in Mysteries. I never stop being a poet, so I guess some of the techniques I’ve used over the years went into this prose effort. I am damned glad for it!”
Clay – Well, it’s no surprise to me that the language of the book sang as it did. Looking back at your life, you’ve received eight Pushcart Awards, an Award for Literature from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, the Open Book Award by the American Society of Journalists and Authors. You’ve served as writer-in-residence at more than a dozen universities, and twice you’ve been awarded Writing Fellowships by the National Endowment for the Arts. You’ve directed university presses in Georgia, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. Your papers are held at Kent State. And – I love this part – given all these accolades, you flunked out of college. Huh, what? To what do you attribute your own incredible character arc?
Paul – “My wife and I got married in our early twenties, but held off having children for about five years. I used to write on my lunch hours and early in the morning before my family got up. I just kept trucking along, working at everything as hard as I could. My kids are in their fifties now and wonderful. My wife and I have been married close to 55 years. I’ve been a lucky guy. But I worked hard. Is this a ‘character arc’? Maybe so. I was never a good student.”
Clay – How did you end up in Wisconsin? This is not the stereotype of where we think writers might reside.
Paul – “Wisconsin is a good place for a writer, I think. We live on a farm two miles in, on a dirt road and are surrounded by woods and fields. Our view into the valley is one of the most beautiful west of the Mississippi in my estimation. We see deer, fox, wild turkeys, bobcats, owls, a variety of birds. Everyday. We hear no traffic sounds. I retired about 25 years ago, so now I have all the time I want to write. Not too bad, eh?”
Clay – No, sir, certainly not bad at all. In fact, it makes me want to rent your guest room. At some point, we would love for you to find your way to Killer Nashville. You would be an incredible inspiration. Can we look for you sometime, maybe this year in our 10th year?
Paul – “Well, you never know. I taught for a semester at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville a few years ago. But I doubt, at the age of 80, if I’ll do much more teaching.”
As I muse on this and my conversations with Paul, I’m not so sure about that. Like Cyril, I think Paul Zimmer still has a few surprises up his sleeve making us realize it is not too late to truly live, to make a life for yourself. Nor to become a writer. Nor to teach yet one more eager mind. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Paul walking down the halls of the Omni this Halloween with his wife like his characters Cyril and Louise do in Paris. If he does, we will all be the better. In poetry or prose, Paul himself truly is “a collector of lives” despite the comparison he wishes to avoid with Cyril. And I love to listen to the cadence of his voice.
Author: Paul J. Zimmer has written 12 books of poetry, including Family Reunion (1983), which won an Arts and Letters Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He is also one of the founders of the Pitt Poetry series. Zimmer has received various awards and honors for his poetry and prose. His first novel “The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove” released in March was received with high praise.
Reviewer: Clay Stafford is an author, filmmaker, and publisher (www.ClayStafford.com) in addition to being the founder of Killer Nashville and publisher of Killer Nashville Magazine. In addition to selling over 1.5 million copies of his own books, Stafford’s latest projects are the documentary “One of the Miracles” and writing the music CD “XO” with Kathryn Dance / Lincoln Rhymes author Jeffery Deaver. He is currently writing a film script based on Peter Straub’s “Pork Pie Hat” for American Blackguard Entertainment.
Killer Nashville's Review of The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove
Killer Nashville's Past Book Reviews
May 11, 2016
What an amazing little book! This is the story of two lives crossing in a nursing home in rural Wisconsin and the life stories they bring with them and the lives they build together because of these stories. This was a little gem I was not expecting. It starts with an old man sneaking out of the home to grab a beer or four at the local tavern across the street when he is kidnapped by a criminal and then left to die in a snowbank during a blizzard. But he doesn't die....he becomes a hero! And then we bring in the story of an old woman who after a quiet life moving to the US from France as a bride, living on a farm and burying her husband but having no children, finds herself in the same home and delighted by our gentleman storyteller. It holds a charming, quick story that just warms your heart and sometimes makes you laugh!
April 11, 2015
I won this book in a First Reads contest on Goodreads.com. Maybe I enjoyed it so much because I, too, like the characters, am advancing in age. But the author really is able to express some sentiments after the first chapter which may make you think you do not want to continue. But do continue. He is able to communicate well in the context of 3 lives, 2 of which are newly in an old folks home, the 3rd of which is the adversary of the male in the home. It is amusing, even humorous at times, and tells a good story, to boot.
April 16, 2016
What a gem! I keep getting blown away by some of the sentences, and thinking "Who is this Paul Zimmer???!!!"
Final review: life-changing. boom.
Final review: life-changing. boom.
August 18, 2017
This is a tender story of two elderly people finding love with each other. Cyril, the only child of alcoholics, found escape from his unhappy life through reading. He found he especially enjoyed reading biographies and autobiographies and has a wide store of “lives” in his memory that he enjoys sharing with people, but most people find him odd and don’t get it when he tries to tell them about the lives he’s read about over the years. Solitary all his life, he’s never had a relationship with a woman and is shy and awkward, but kind-hearted. Louise is an elegant and cultured lady, originally from France. Now a widow, she fell in love with an American soldier during WWII and came back with him to his farm in rural Wisconsin. Her life with him was not what she expected it to be, but was still happy. Nearing 80, both of them now live in a retirement home, which is how they meet. Louise moves in while Cyril is in the hospital, recovering from serious injuries suffered after being dumped in a blizzard by an armed man who tried to rob him. Though very different, Cyril and Louise connect immediately and deeply. As their relationship grows, they begin sneaking out of the facility to have adventures, starting small and working up to bolder doings and eventually finding themselves in a dangerous situation. Being with each other and having these experiences brings joy and fulfillment to lives that might otherwise be sad and dreary as they near the end of their days. The book is beautifully narrated by Cyril and Louise in alternating chapters. This is a sweet and sensitive novel about growing old with dignity and not giving up on life, but finding joy until the end, despite physical frailties and the indignities that come with advanced age.
March 31, 2023
I got this book because it took place in Wisconsin. My home state. It was interesting to hear the author (Paul Zimmer) describe Wisconsin: It's Cold...that about sums it up. It was nice hearing small towns mentioned.
The story itself is sweet, really. A lonely old man finally finds love after some unfortunate unforeseen circumstances.
The good thing about the writing; each character is distinct. They don't all talk the same. The main character (Cyril) has his way of speaking, his love (Louise) has hers.
However, I'm not sure if Zimmer meant to do it, or if it was an accident, but Cyril is the most annoying main character I've ever heard. I get what he was going for, but he went above and beyond. Some of my displeasure may be from the performance- Robert Fass made an interesting choice when voicing him. He's not a bad actor, but Cyril was grating. Xe Sands plays Louise and she has a lovely voice to get lost in.
The story is simple and concise, very short for a novel like this. Crime fiction and revenge, etc...but it was missing something. Like needed a deeper exploration of Louise and such.
The story itself is sweet, really. A lonely old man finally finds love after some unfortunate unforeseen circumstances.
The good thing about the writing; each character is distinct. They don't all talk the same. The main character (Cyril) has his way of speaking, his love (Louise) has hers.
However, I'm not sure if Zimmer meant to do it, or if it was an accident, but Cyril is the most annoying main character I've ever heard. I get what he was going for, but he went above and beyond. Some of my displeasure may be from the performance- Robert Fass made an interesting choice when voicing him. He's not a bad actor, but Cyril was grating. Xe Sands plays Louise and she has a lovely voice to get lost in.
The story is simple and concise, very short for a novel like this. Crime fiction and revenge, etc...but it was missing something. Like needed a deeper exploration of Louise and such.
January 29, 2018
Poet Paul Zimmer delivers a sentimental look at Octogenarian love with some silly antics and bits of humor thrown in the mix. I wonder if this is semi-autobiographical or just wishful thinking?
April 11, 2015
I won The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove by Paul Zimmer from Goodreads.
Readers can't help liking the main characters, Cyril and Louise, in Paul Zimmer's The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove. Facing the final days of their lives in a nursing home, both Cyril and Louise are just beginning to discover and embrace some of life's true pleasures. Unfortunately, an angry, out-of-control criminal has set his sights on them.
Heartwarming, humorous, heroic, Zimmer's novel reminds readers of the human spirits inside those age-worn, time-battetered bodies, and takes readers on an unexpected adventure.
The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove is for readers who enjoy stories about unique characters who are trying to balance their lives between the safe yet stifling mundane and the exciting yet risky unknown. A great read for any adult, this book is especially appealing to readers of a certain age who would rather laugh at their aches and limitations than complain; who would rather dance for one minute than sit forever on the sidelines.
Readers can't help liking the main characters, Cyril and Louise, in Paul Zimmer's The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove. Facing the final days of their lives in a nursing home, both Cyril and Louise are just beginning to discover and embrace some of life's true pleasures. Unfortunately, an angry, out-of-control criminal has set his sights on them.
Heartwarming, humorous, heroic, Zimmer's novel reminds readers of the human spirits inside those age-worn, time-battetered bodies, and takes readers on an unexpected adventure.
The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove is for readers who enjoy stories about unique characters who are trying to balance their lives between the safe yet stifling mundane and the exciting yet risky unknown. A great read for any adult, this book is especially appealing to readers of a certain age who would rather laugh at their aches and limitations than complain; who would rather dance for one minute than sit forever on the sidelines.
April 9, 2015
Note: I received an advanced reading copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.
This is a very sweet love story. I was completely engaged in the evolving relationship between Cyril and Louise. Cyril is a bizarre and touchingly real character. Several of the moments about adjusting to life in a nursing home are just stunning, and I wished for more. As the book is so short, it's a quick read, and I wanted it to be longer.
The writing for Baclava was a bit much at times, making him appear one dimensional. Because of that, he felt like he was added only to create a dramatic finale. It seemed unnecessary, particularly since he's written as an over-the-top villain, and I would have preferred just the focus on Cyril and Louise.
This is a very sweet love story. I was completely engaged in the evolving relationship between Cyril and Louise. Cyril is a bizarre and touchingly real character. Several of the moments about adjusting to life in a nursing home are just stunning, and I wished for more. As the book is so short, it's a quick read, and I wanted it to be longer.
The writing for Baclava was a bit much at times, making him appear one dimensional. Because of that, he felt like he was added only to create a dramatic finale. It seemed unnecessary, particularly since he's written as an over-the-top villain, and I would have preferred just the focus on Cyril and Louise.
March 24, 2016
What a book! I love Paul Zimmer's poetry and I found this novel to be equally enthralling. If you need a little boost as you grow older, this is for you. Cyril and Louise outwit the rest home workers and act like decrepit teenagers on a lark. I loved it. If you and your partner/friend like to read aloud, this one is excellent, too.
April 18, 2015
Awesome, tender,sweet and full of a quiet passion that only the elderly know. I received this as a goodreads giveaway. I enjoyed every living moment with the beautiful couple.
April 26, 2015
Sweet love story, a very unlikely elderly couple meet at the dinner table in a facility where they both have found themselves wondering where their years of life have gone.....
May 21, 2015
Beautiful story. Love is not just for the young; neither are life, bravery, compassion, and adventure. Highly, HIGHLY recommended.
February 3, 2016
A nice story, even if it is a little far fetched. Good humour and quite touching though. A quick read.
September 10, 2016
Quirky little story. Entertaining, quick read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews