The author has a story to tell in Quicksand, a story that is needed in our society regardless of the period of history. We see more and more marriages of various interracial individuals as time progresses. If only the thought of some in our society considered these mixed marriages as an opportunity for love, hope and understanding for all people, regardless of color, religion or mutual love. Marilyn Randall tells a very good story of Natalie, a sixty-three-year-old white woman, who has had no real love interest in her current life. Natalie had been married, but the last six years in name only, as her husband had cancer and his life was devoid of physical contact for years. Two years after her husband’s death, she searched the internet for some possible meetings with other men with similar interests as she had, having no idea what she would get in return.

Natalie wrote children’s books and was an artist. She thought she needed someone in her life to love, hug, and appreciate. She had loved her husband very much and missed that love. His online meetings were numerous, but all gave cause for concern about scams that he knew existed and had been warned about. He was especially interested in one of whom he had heard. He was a black man a little younger than Natalie. She had never thought of dating a black man, but she figured why not? Natalie lived in Washington state and Randy lived in Orlando Florida.

They finally got together and immediately became interested in each other, physically, mentally, and sexually. They seemed perfect for each other. They first stayed together in Washington for a while and Natalie eventually went to Orlando to meet up with Randy’s family and friends. Randy was used to being shunned by other races and given the feeling “why should he be with a white woman?” The few who accepted it made life great, but far too many rubbed off on just seeing a couple of mongrels together and enjoying each other so much. This happened no matter where they were; Vacation trips, shopping, in a park, neighbors, and most family and friends would not tolerate this couple together.

But they made the most of it until Natalie discovered Randy’s terrible temper. At first it was just mild words and actions, but when he got physically hard on Natalie to the point of hurting her, she decided to get away with it. After almost every time they broke up due to a fight, within a few days they missed each other so much that they reconciled again over the phone and finally got back together, until the next fight. The distance between Washington and Orlando is quite great and it was necessary to plan to come and go to “make up.”

The love between them was deep and meaningful. Everything they did together went well until they had another fight. When the fights got too physical, Natalie claimed she had had enough and it was over. I don’t remember how many times he did this. If it had been me, I would have said goodbye to a person who hit me and gave me severe bruises but in this story it was different.

I enjoyed the basic story. The book is mixed with poetry that describes each chapter in that way and then tells it in a different way in the usual writing style.