Reviews By Charline

“Siegfried Follies”

Author: Richard Alther

So…I’ve taken an extra two days to write this review mainly because I was trying to figure out the best possible way to write something positive about the book “Siegfried Follies.” I will give Richard Alther, the author, credit for being a descriptive writer but as far as the story itself I’m unsure whether I should say I’m dissatisfied or disillusioned with it. The following is why:

My understanding of the book’s premise, based on the synopsis provided by the author, was this. In an unlikely twist of fate two young boys, one German and one Jewish, are thrown together during the end of World War II. It was my understanding that this book would be a look at their lives, both together and apart, over the next thirty years. The novel seemed to promise to focus on a time period I’m interested in and it seemed like it would offer a unique look back into history.

Sadly I was extremely disappointed and I guess it’s safe to say I was also disillusioned at the same time. I expected more history, more German / Jew life experiences and less of a dark look at the human psyche. I’m not saying that some life experiences weren’t provided it just seemed to me that the author was more intent on shocking his readers with his grasp of psychology and human nature. There were also certain scenes that, to me, seemed out of place. For example, there was a physical relationship between an adult woman who was pregnant and an eight or nine-year-old boy. There was also a homosexual relationship of sorts between the two young boys which was very odd and had no bearing in the story later on. Truthfully, I could find no way to reconcile these scenarios and others with the gist of what this tale was supposed to be about. I fail to see how things like the aforementioned apply to this specific era and truthfully, in my opinion, if one were to change the names and locations this story could be set in any time period and any place.

In summary while Richard Alther does have a very descriptive writing style; I didn’t enjoy “Siegfried Follies.” According to the author “a prime audience for this novel is readers interested in the Holocaust, a subject that will never, nor should, fail to engage.” I don’t agree with his statement. I felt his book had nothing to do with the Holocaust especially as the story begins in 1945. I’m sorry to say this but I feel the author is trying to propel his book forward by using a shocking tragedy versus his ability to write a great story.

“Shogun Iemitsu”

Author: Michael R. Zomber

Recently I was searching for a new book to read when I came across “Shogun Iemitsu.” I enjoy world history and the words “War and Romance in 17^th Century Tokugawa Japan” below the book’s title caught my eye. I was immediately intrigued as I haven’t read many novels set in historical Japan.

I visited Amazon’s website in order to read the jacket blurb and after doing so I decided I wanted to read it. I have to say I am very thankful I did. The author, Michael R. Zomber, is a fantastic writer. He is wonderfully descriptive without becoming boring and his words bring each character to life. I must also commend him on being able to write so well about Japanese heritage because I understand their culture and customs are woven through with intricacies and subtle nuance. According to the author’s bio which is provided on the book, Zomber has had an ongoing interest in Japanese art and culture for almost fifty years. This fact is very apparent throughout “Shogun Iemitsu.” I applaud Zomber for being able to tell an amazing tale using his acquired knowledge in a manner that holds the reader captive instead of coming across like a text-book, becoming tiresome and verbose, or sounding like a pompous know-it-all.

In “Shogun Iemitsu,” Hideo and Kobiyashi are the main characters and although the book only chronicles a single, shared day in their life; the reader experiences much more than that. We learn about their past through their memories and we also learn about that which they seek to attain. There are many players in this intricate story and the reader will receive an eye-opening look into life during the rule of the Shoguns where every decision and action is but a minute part of a complexly woven web.

In closing, I give “Shogun Iemitsu” a solid five star rating although I would only recommend it to mature readers due to the graphic nature of the era it is written about. In a time before “death by lethal injection” justice was meted out with a sword. While Zomber does a good job of not being too graphic in these situations, a younger reader may have trouble with the gruesomeness of punishment in an earlier Japan.

“Photographs and Memories”

Author: Barbara Fifield

I opted to read and review “Photographs and Memories” because it seemed as if the book would hold a powerful message for any reader who has experienced the loss of a family member or friend. I could also see the possibility of this book providing helpful information for those who have not yet experienced the loss of a loved one. Sadly, I was very disappointed with both the quality of the book as well as Barbara Fifield’s writing style.

To start, Ms. Fifield has a very choppy writing style. She seems to flit forward; then backward; then forward again with the same erratic pattern of a butterfly in flight but leaves the reader without the pleasant feeling one gets from watching the butterfly. There were also times when the author herself seemed to forget the sequencing of her own story. A great example of this would be the book’s back jacket where it clearly states “Suddenly and unexpectedly, Angela’s mother dies. Angela turns to her husband for support, but in the cruelest turn of fate, he too suddenly passes away. All alone, except for the helpless Martha, Angela must now gently coax her failing father into a nursing home.” Not to give too much of this book away but the CORRECT order of these events is: Angela’s father was placed in a nursing home, then Martha passed away, and then Angela’s husband passed away as well.

Moving on, I found Ms. Fifield’s descriptions of people, places and events shaky at best and the dialogue among the characters came across as stilted and unnatural. At times I was extremely put off by some of the character conversations as they seemed better suited to a five-year-old child than a sixty-one year old woman.

And finally, as far as the premise of “Photographs and Memories” I was expecting a book with a powerful message that could help people cope with loss. In the end, when I had finished reading it, I felt completely let down. There was no message and there was no power behind her words. It was basically just a recounting of events that the author has experienced. While my heart goes out to her for what she has been through this book comes across merely as the therapeutic writing of the author and reads like a diary.

“Follow The Money”

Author: Ross Cavins

I don’t normally read books that are a collection of short stories. However, after reading the jacket blurb for “Follow The Money” I figured I should make an exception because this book sounded like it would be funny. Plus, I really wondered what Peanut Butter Crunch, cowboy boots and Jesus all had in common. I was also curious why Katie Couric was in the same equation as Heineken and hot peppers. Since curiosity hasn’t killed me yet I decided to read “Follow The Money” since it was the only way to find out the answers.

In the beginning “Follow The Money” was difficult for me to get into. It seemed that every time I started to enjoy a story; the next thing I knew; it was over. It was also very apparent that the book was written by a man and the book’s general appeal seems to be geared toward those of the masculine gender. Luckily for me I have a cynical and sarcastic streak which definitely helped with the “guy” aspect of this book’s humor. Once I got beyond the shortness of the stories I did enjoy the read more.

Cavins does have very good writing skills. While some of the characters portrayed in his stories were lacking in their thinking and / or communication abilities neither of those things were an issue for Cavins. I definitely found “Follow The Money” to be a unique read. Yes, it is a collection of short stories but each tale is connected to the prior one. Once you realize this both the title of the book and the beginning quotation take on a new found meaning. Each story is off-the-wall and a little on the wacky side. While Cavins is no George Carlin he is a humorous writer and you will enjoy his book so long as you enjoy a cynical look at life and idiotic people.

For the women out there who don’t really enjoy a male oriented book I suggest picking this one up for the guy in your life. “Follow The Money” will travel with him when he inevitably disappears into the bathroom for thirty minutes under the pretense of “using the facilities.”

“Dead Forever: Awakening”

Author: William Campbell

I came across  a book title that immediately caught my eye: “Dead Forever: Awakening.” Interesting… This of course prompted me to visit Amazon’s website in order to find out a little more about the book. The words “Imagine a world where death is merely an inconvenience” jumped off the proverbial page at me and I found myself immediately intrigued by the concept. Who wouldn’t want to live forever? Even if “living forever” ultimately meant living a full life, experiencing a real death and then finding oneself inhabiting a new body. Hmmm…

The premise of “Dead Forever: Awakening” is that once you die you will resume living while still retaining all of your memories, all of your likes and dislikes and all of your various skills and talents. How’s that for having your cake and eating it too? Well, therein lies the catch because immortality comes with a very high price. People now answer to a “master” and things like individuality, creativity and freedom to think for yourself are no longer allowed. Of course there are those who find themselves unable to conform to these rigid rules and they refuse to accept this life. Since no one can really “die forever” the masters devise a clever solution. Permanent amnesia. How can a person fight if they can’t remember what they are fighting for? Yup, I decided I definitely needed to read the book so I could find out what happens.

For the most part I was pretty happy with “Dead Forever: Awakening.” The author, William Campbell, has an easy to follow writing style. His words flow well; his story is descriptive but not boring; each character has a unique personality and Campbell does a great job of bringing them to life. However, there were times when a scene from the book would remind me of a scene from “The Matrix.” Consequently I became distracted by these similarities which unfortunately took some of the enjoyment out of the read for me.

In summary I give “Dead Forever: Awakening” a solid four star rating and I would recommend it for readers of all ages. I hope Campbell keeps up the great writing and I look forward to reading more of his works in the future.