Sacrifice

By John Farris

            This book starts out with a tragedy; Greg Walker is shot in the head while jogging.  Miraculously, he survives.  After recovering in the hospital for a time, he moves back home with his wife and daughter.  Somewhat abruptly, the novel takes a turn and we find out that Greg is actually a rare being who is blessed with the secret to longevity.  However, this longevity comes with a sacrifice.

            The book is a bit different, in that it is told from the first person perspective of 3 different characters.  The main character is Greg Walker, and the story begins with Greg taking a stray bullet while going for a jog.  This disastrous head wound lays him up in the hospital, and he miraculously shows signs of recovery.  Greg makes amazing strides in recovery, and is able to go back home to his wife Caroline and daughter Sharissa.  The family dynamic is introduced, and it is obvious that Sharissa is Daddy’s little girl.  Like any father, Greg is concerned with the developing intimacy between Sharissa and her boyfriend Bobby Driscoll.  Things are getting serious and Greg starts following the couple to make sure that Sharissa isn’t compromising her virtues.  After Greg confronts Bobby, the story starts out on an odd path.  Later, Greg and Caroline are out to eat and he is accosted by a strange woman who insists that Greg is her astranged husband.  After several additional family tragedies, the action picks up and Greg disappears with Sharissa to South America.

            Sergeant Butterbaugh is a police officer who is initially assigned to Greg Walker’s case when he is shot.  He begins to form a relationship with the family, especially Sharissa.  He soon becomes highly suspicious of what is going on with the Walker family, and follows them when they leave the country.  He realizes that there is more to Greg Walker, and he might have an ancient and ominous secret.

            Overall the book was well written and I found the characters to be agreeable.  However, this book fell apart after the first 150 pages.  It started off in an unusual way and you wondered how Greg was going to recover from his injuries.  Within the span of a few chapters, the whole story shifts direction.  The shift itself is interesting, but the story eventually devolves into a predictable apex and conclusion.  I enjoyed reading it and still enjoy the writing of John Farris, but this book was a very poor example of his ability to craft a good story.  Give Farris a chance, but not on this novel.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 Bunsen Burners

Up Next: Treasure Box by Orson Scott Card

Phantom Nights

By John Farris

            This is the first John Farris book I have read outside of The Fury series.  I thoroughly enjoyed that series, so I was very happy when my wife bought me this book to read.

            The plot of this book is nothing original, a murder has taken place and a kid (Alex Gambier) has supernatural contact with the dead and wants to help to bring the murderer to justice.  Since the idea has been done before, the value of the book can only be determined by the quality of the characters and the writing. 

            Alex Gambier is a teenage boy who is mute (due to illness) and rebellious in nature.  His father and mother were killed in a fire, and he is now being raised by his older brother Bobby.  Bobby is a police officer with a young wife and family.  Alex is caught doing a dangerous stunt at the railroad tracks, by Mally Shaw.  Mally’s house soon becomes a refuge (from which) he can escape from problems at home.  Mally was also the nurse providing hospice care for the dying Priest Howard.  On his deathbed, Priest Howard’s reunion with his son was a tumultuous event.  It was very clear that Leland and his father did not see eye to eye, and that Priest Howard wanted Leland to pay for an unexplained wrongdoing.  Leland was confident that his secrets would die along with his father, and was not concerned about any secrets ruining his political career.  That is, until he begins to suspect that Mally might have been informed about his wrongdoing.

            The book was well written, and you can understand the characters motives and actions.  However, there was nothing extravagant about the story or the characters.  I wouldn’t say that I couldn’t put this book down, but the action was sufficiently interesting to keep me reading.  I would classify this as what my wife calls a “beach read.”  No thinking involved, and straight entertainment.  Not a bad book, but don’t knock down any ladies at the library or Barnes and Noble to pick it up.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Bunsen Burners

Up Next: Sacrifice by John Farris

Imajica

By Clive Barker

Since I read a lot at work, it was only a matter of time before I started to get recommendations from coworkers.  My boss recommended “Weave World” or “Damnation Game” by Clive Barker.  Unable to find either of these books at a library book sale, I opted for “Imajica.”

This book was quite different from anything else I have read in the past.  The book begins in England where we are introduced to the main characters: Judith and Gentle.  Gentle is a womanizer, and he has been romantically involved with Judith in the past.  Judith has broken up with her most recent lover, Charlie Estabrook, and he’s not taking it well.  In fact, Charlie has decided that if he can’t have her, nobody can.  He hires Pie “oh” Pah as the assassin to do the deed.  Soon, he’s having second thoughts and asks Gentle to help him stop Judith’s murder. 

Gentle tracks down Judith, and has his own run in with Pie “oh” Pah.  As everyone’s complex relationships develop, we are slowly introduced to the fact that there are other “dominions” besides the one in which we live.  Earth and our reality is the fifth dominion, and is unreconciled from the others.  Later, Judith and Gentle are separately escorted into the other dominions where they learn more about their past and their positions in the Great Reconciliation. 

We follow Gentle as he works his way from the Fourth Dominion, to Yzordderrex.  Yzordderrex is a city founded by the Autarch, a cruel dictator who rules with his queen Quaisoir.  During the journey, we learn of the many Goddesses who have been persecuted and imprisoned by “The Unbeheld.”  “The Unbeheld” is one of many names for their God, a ruler who resides beyond the Erasure in the first dominion (I realize I’ve thrown a lot of terms at you, but be prepared for more if you decide to read this book).  As the story progresses; we learn more about “The Unbeheld,” the Autarch, his queen, and their connection to Gentle and Judith as we build towards the Great Reconciliation.

Clive Barker may be a fantastic storyteller, but this was a hard novel to start with.  There were many unearthly creatures introduced, as well as strong supernatural themes to the book which made some of the story difficult to follow.  There were gods, goddesses, foreign lands, along with the rules that govern these foreign places.  It’s hard to remember who characters are, let alone what species they are.  And it is especially difficult when they are introduced, disappear, and then reappear later.  I couldn’t help but notice the undertone of gender roles or gender identity that existed in this book, as well.  This is an idea that I have struggled to articulate, but this is the best way I can put it.  What really made me think this were discussions which took place between Judith and the Goddesses, Judith and Quaisoir (I think that’s who it was, it was near the middle of the book), male imprisonment of the female goddesses, and also the inclusion of the Mystif character.  A mystif is an androgynous character which has the capacity to love both men and women.  I also can’t decide whether Barker is pretentious, or really smart.  I’ve got a decent vocabulary, but I felt like Barker wrote this book with one hand on the keyboard and the other grasping a thesaurus.  And maybe it’s just a personal issue, but I got to the point where if Barker used the word “din” one more time, I would have to stop reading the book.  While I have read a bunch of books involving other dimensions or worlds, this one was especially difficult.  The end was somewhat predictable, and only satisfying in its lack of ambiguity.  To summarize how I felt about this read, I would say it was more a tour de force to get through it, rather than something I longed to pick up at every opportunity.  This detracted from my enjoyment, but I don’t want it to ruin anyone’s impression of the novel.  In (final) summary, it was good, but be prepared to think a little bit and stretch your mind to get through it.

Rating: 3.25 out of 5 Bunsen Burners

Up Next: Phantom Nights by John Farris

Everything's Eventual

By Stephen King

            At this point, I have read most of Stephen King’s body of work.  This includes a few of his compilations of short stories such as: Just After Sunset, Full Dark No Stars.  I have enjoyed his short stories in the past and was excited to crack open Everything’s Eventual; especially because of the story “Little Sisters of Eluria.”

            The way I feel about short stories is that they are pretty much hit or miss.  There is always something of value in each story, but in the end I usually liked it or didn’t like it.  The same can be said about Everything’s Eventual.  I won’t go through the good and bad of each, but I’ll hit the ones that had an impact worth mentioning.  The “Man in the Black Suit” was a suspenseful little thriller told from the perspective of a young boy.  The merit of the story resides in the exaggeration and runaway imagination of children and the way they can freak themselves out over nothing.  But is it all in his head?  Not surprisingly, the “Little Sisters of Eluria” is the most developed story of them all.  It was good to catch back up with Roland, and only made me excited to read “The Wind Through the Keyhole.”  I’d say it was my favorite story, but that is almost a meaningless statement due to my inherent bias.  “Everything’s Eventual” was in the typical sci-fi paranormal vein of so many of King’s novels.  Told from the perspective of an unnamed (if he was named I don’t remember it) narrator, who is in a unique living arrangement.  All of his expenses are taken care of, and he is given a salary.  However, he cannot save any money, and must dispose of any extra.  We soon find out that his living situation is guided by the exploitation of his psychic powers.  “The Road Virus Heads North” was just a creepy and tense story.  “Lunch at the Gotham Café” was very odd, and there are some scenes/mental images that have stuck with me.  “That Feeling, You Can Only Say What It Is In French.”  I liked the premise of the story, but wasn’t blown away by the story itself.

            This collection of short stories was definitely worth the read, but I wouldn’t go and insist that anyone pick this up immediately.  If you do check it out, appreciate it for what it is, but don’t have high expectations.  Also, I apologize if this wasn’t a very good review but reviewing short stories is rather difficult.  I have a huge backlog of books I have read, and this one was really slowing my progress.

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 Bunsen Burners

Up Next: Imajica by Cliver Barker

Matterhorn

Matterhorn

By Karl Marlantes

            I first picked up this novel soon after reading Hearts in Atlantis, when I was on a Vietnam War kick.  I had also recently read “The Things They Carried,” and I broke open my copy of Matterhorn ready to devour it.  I soon felt somewhat overwhelmed by terminology, foreign locations, and military procedure.  I had heard wonderful things about this book, and began to recognize that I was not ready to put in the necessary effort for this book.  Thankfully, a European vacation presented a great opportunity to give this book a second go.

            My second endeavor into the book was much smoother.  I didn’t feel so bogged down by military terms or procedural stuff, and was able to really get into the story.  For those who are not familiar with a lot of military terminology, I have a tip for you.  It wasn’t until I finished the book that I realized there is a glossary of important terms in the back.  This certainly would have helped to clarify some parts of the story, since I often found myself trying to decipher the acronyms on my own.  Now you won’t have to decipher what an “e-tool” is from context, or guess what TAOR means.  You’re welcome. 

            Now, for the meat of the review.  The main character of the book is Lieutenant Mellas.  Mellas is a Second Lieutenant and platoon commander of a group of Marines. We meet Mellas when he is very green, and insecure about his inexperience.  We follow the day to day activities of the soldiers, including patrols through the jungle.  We are also given insight into the behind the scenes activities by the Generals, and how missions were often mishandled due to misinformation or technical problems.  The expectations of the Generals were often not feasible, but they felt that their orders should be followed anyways.  It was also evident that pride and reputation was often a big factor in how the troops were ordered to proceed in combat.  Instead of concern for the men, the Generals were motivated by checking boxes and statistics.  By the end of the novel, Mellas is “one of the guys,” and we understand how this full transformation has occurred.  Between developing connections with the men, suffering through physical and emotional pain caused by the war, Mellas has become a different man than he was at the beginning of the book.

            This book provided terrific insight into the atmosphere and tension of the Vietnam War.  It gave a view into the inner workings of the military, and some of the ways in which operations were bungled due to the disconnect between the desires of higher ups and the actuality of war in the jungle.  The racial undertones of the war were also addressed: conflicts between black soldiers and whites, as well as among black soldiers.  What I was most impressed with in this story is how easily the author brought the reader into the story.  His descriptions of the physical toll the war had taken on the soldiers: be it the jungle rot of their hands, the physical exhaustion, the confusion of battle, or the loss of a fellow soldier.  One particular scene had a profound impact on me, and really brought home what death in the field of battle is like.  This story was an absolutely riveting novel about the Vietnam War.  This book is appropriate for the history buff, as well as the new to historical fiction reader like myself.  Pick this book up, you will love it.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Bunsen Burners

Up Next: Everything’s Eventual

Hell's Corner

By David Baldacci

            The final book of the Camel Club series is centered around a bombing that has taken place in Lafayette Park, across from the White House.  Once again, our friend Oliver Stone had a front row seat and now he’s involved in the whole mess. 

Oliver’s past indiscretions are seemingly forgotten, and now his government wants his help.  Oliver is given the task of getting to the bottom of the Russian drug trade.  Later as he is walking by the White House, the British Prime Minister’s motorcade arrives to pick up their charge and escort him to Blair House.  Suddenly, machine gun fire rings out into the night followed by a brief silence.  This silence is then shattered when the bomb in the park detonates. 

Stone gets out alive, and soon the government is relying on his insight to help determine who planted the bomb, and why.  He is paired up with Mary Chapman of the MI6, and the two begin their investigation into the attack.  They discover the origin of the bomb, but they have difficulty learning how it got there and how the bomb sniffing dogs missed it.  More interesting is that the bomber seems to be an obvious patsy, and the people involved in the case are being systematically eliminated.  As Oliver gets closer to solving the case, things become more and more dangerous for everyone involved.  The thrilling conclusion not only sheds light on the perpetrator, but discloses an interesting connection and motive for the crime.  The crescendo has a bit of nostalgia to it, as we find Oliver fighting for his life in a familiar location from a previous novel.  It was a very exciting and perilous conclusion to the book.

Baldacci once again created a very interesting story, slowly leading the reader along by feeding us small morsels of the main plot.  Baldacci uses characters from previous Camel Club books as they assist Oliver in a variety of tasks.  My single complaint with the story is consistent with previous books by Baldacci.  His scientific knowledge is sometimes limited, and his application to the story is often a stretch.  I am especially critical in this case because of how integral this “information” was to the main plot.  In the end, this could be overlooked and ultimately did not negatively affect the story.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Bunsen Burners

Up Next: Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes

Mudbound

by Hillary Jordan
         
           This novel is about the racial tension between white people and black people in the Mississipi Delta and how it affects them all in different ways. This story consists of six narrators, whose voices are woven together to share the events of this tale. Each narrator brings a different perspective, as half of them are white, half of them are black.  Three of the voices are the white McAllan family. The narrators from this family are Laura, Henry, and Jamie. The other family of narrators are the (black) Jackson's. The Jackson's consist of Hap, Florence, and Ronsel. Each person touches on the same events, but have their own personal voice that comes through. This story is centered around the racial tension in the south so as one can imagine, this story and it's narrators help to build a dramatic and unique novel.
            The story is set in the years 1946 and 1947 just as the turmoil of WWII is coming to an end. The readers are first introduced to the McAllan family. Laura is a woman who had considered herself condemned to spinsterhood until her brother brings his new boss, Henry McAllan to dinner. Henry soon begins to woo Laura and after a shaky courtship, he proposes. She convinces herself that despite his being unromantic, plain, and having a matter of fact personality, he would provide for her. Laura is content to live within the city of Memphis until Henry's dream of owning a cotton farm uproot the family (including Pappy, Henry's hateful father) to the Mississippi Delta. Laura's distaste for the new farm is simply illustrated by her suggestion of it's name "Mudbound". Jamie, Henry's younger, energetic, and handsome brother visits the farm after he returns from serving as a pilot in the war. His return creates two problems. His vitality and warm nature makes Laura question her marriage and Jamie's new drinking problem causes rifts among the family.  On this farm the McAllan's are secluded from visitations and all socialization except for the black sharecroppers, the Jackson's.
           Hap Jackson is the tenant farmer whose voice enlightens readers to the hope of Southern black people during this time period. His wife Florence is a midwife who is observant and intelligent. She helps the McAllan's after Laura's daughters get sick, and puts up with Pappy's racist comments. Despite the negativity and racism around her, the love her family has for one another cannot be dampened. Then there is their son Ronsel, who has experienced racial acceptance in Europe and finds the racial divide in the Delta hard to cope with upon returning from the war. Being a well decorated soldier means next to nothing to the racist white men in town. They view Ronsel as an overconfident problem, and Ronsel soon realizes the danger he is in if he stays in the Delta. During his return, he creates an unlikely friendship with Jamie McAllan which causes even more unrest among many angry town members and continues to create many dangers for the two young men.  
             All of these voices come together to tell a story about heartbreak, hope, and injustice. The racial tension in this book provides a roller coaster of emotions for readers. This novel was Hillary Jordan's debut and it was exceptionally written. Her descriptions of the scenery and the characters feelings were exquisite.  Although at times it was hard to read, due to the emotional impact of the content she wrote about, I loved this book. Pick up this book and enjoy the journey.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Up Next: A Time to Kill by John Grisham

Divine Justice

By David Baldacci

In the fourth book in the camel club series, we catch up with Oliver after his vengeful act on those who wronged him.  Oliver is now on the run, and has broken contact with his friends for fear that they will be unfairly punished for his activities.  Oliver flees his home in the cemetery, as a fugitive.  While acting as a good samaritan, he finds himself getting kicked off the train after breaking up a fight.  This act of kindness leads him to the small town of Divine, Virginia.  There’s something going on in Divine, and Oliver finds himself in the middle of it (of course).  While Oliver is trying to help out the town, his friends are trying to find him.  They understand why he is hiding, but are unwilling to abandon Oliver since he has always been there for them.

Oliver accompanies Danny Riker, the boy from the train, to his hometown of Divine.  Oliver knows that he is a wanted man, but decides to take the opportunity to earn some cash before hitting the road.  Always looking to help out, Oliver soon finds out that things in Divine are not what they seem.  The two major industries in the town are mining, and the supermax prison in the mountains.  Many of the miners are drug addicts who use methadone to numb their pain.  Danny’s father was a miner who was killed in a gas explosion in the mines.  An unusual number of deaths seem to be happening in this small town, and there seems to be a common thread.  Oliver puts his spy skills to work and begins to unravel the truth about the town, but will he survive as his opposition notices his snooping?

While Oliver deals with the conflict in Divine, Joe Knox is the agent in charge of piecing together the whereabouts of Oliver and bringing him to justice.  Joe begins by interviewing Oliver’s friends and begins to track his movement as a fugitive on the run.  As he digs into Olivers past, he discovers important details related to the crime Oliver has committed.   As Joe gets closer and closer to Oliver, he becomes less and less trusting of his agency, and begins to question how guilty Oliver really is. 

The book accelerates towards the conclusion, thrusting Oliver into sticky situations that make you wonder how he will survive.  In typical Baldacci fashion, as we near the end of the book all of the key pieces begin to fall into place and we finally have a clear picture of Divine’s radical secret.  Oliver finds himself struggling to survive and needing to make some hard decisions.  Should he trust someone he has determined to be an enemy, or will his friends be able to save him like he has so often done for them? 

While this was not my favorite book in the Camel Club series, I did enjoy following Oliver through more adventures.  This book felt much more fresh to me, since the subject was quite different from the others.  It was good to see Oliver’s skill set applied to a different scenario, instead of the typical government corruption.  At the same time, the side story kept the reader involved in the major arc of the series, Oliver’s past and relationship with the government.  I am eager to read the final book in the Camel Club series and see what will develop for Oliver and his friends.

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Bunsen Burners

Up Next: Hell’s Corner by David Baldacci