Most things in life are a matter of perspective. What passes for wealthy likely depends on the size of one’s paycheck. What constitutes old probably depends on someone’s age. And where some might believe they’ve witnessed a miracle, others may only see deceit. This idea of shifting perspectives is at the heart of Rick Fishman’s thought-provoking novella, THE NAVAJO EVENT.
Set in Columbus, Ohio, the story opens in the wake of a tragedy with Roland and Laura Green getting a call that no parent wants to receive. Their son-in-law is dead and their daughter Carli is clinging to life in the ICU, suffering from injuries sustained in a catastrophic house-fire. With a crushed spine and severe burns over a third of her body, Carli is soon rushed into an incredibly risky surgery. Not long after, Roland’s cousin shows up with a Navajo medicine man who performs a healing ritual. To everyone’s astonishment, Carli is suddenly healed. When she eventually awakens, Carli learns that she is now famous. Everyone wants to know the same thing: how did her burns and medical hardware suddenly disappear without a trace? For some, the answer is simple: it’s a miracle. For others, however, Carli Green is the perpetrator of an elaborate hoax. Unfortunately for the Green family, it seems like everyone wants a piece of Carli. Predictably, things soon spiral out of control as Carli gets a healthy dose of the celebrity treatment and soon discovers just how much baggage comes with fame, a list that includes the paparazzi, the FBI, and even prison.
Despite the subtitle boasting “proof of God’s existence,” THE NAVAJO EVENT is a surprisingly contemplative read. Yes, there’s a healthy dose of Judeo-Christian theology, but Fishman seems more interested in exploring the general idea of faith than positing ‘God’s Existence.’ This becomes most apparent in the book’s third act where readers are given a first-hand look at Native-American culture via the Green family’s visit to the Navajo Nation. Carli and her family travel to Arizona in search of a safe haven, and Fishman does a tremendous job illustrating the contrast between our media-driven culture and the Navajo way of life. Throughout this section, there’s even a pronounced shift in Fishman’s tone, from sardonic to reverent.
Given its novella-length page count, THE NAVAJO EVENT never threatens to overstay its welcome. In fact, an argument could even be made that in his efforts to present a short, concise story devoid of superfluous detours, Fishman ultimately short-changes the emotional impact of his narrative. To that point, the numerous shifts in POV and the author’s attempts at humor are consistently jarring and add little to the story, save for the nagging feeling that one is reading an early draft. Fortunately, the impeccably written characters shine despite the novella’s inconsistencies. In fact, it’s the resounding strength of Fishman’s premise that makes the overall execution so frustrating.
Somewhat mired in inconsistency, Rick Fishman’s THE NAVAJO EVENT ultimately succeeds on the strength of a strong premise, solid writing and a cast of compelling characters.
~James Weiskittel for IndieReader