Eric
Newborn is a successful self-help author and speaker. He is loved by
his readers who have been helped by his “you can create your
future” philosophy. They are devoted to him, having been helped by
his “you control your destiny” mantra.
Then,
Eric's destiny becomes one he cannot control. He is looking at a
future he did not create.
Montemarano
has crafted a unique novel. He intersperses pieces of Eric's present
life and recent life with inspiring segments of Eric's teachings at
self-help seminars. As the novel unfolds, we get glimpses into the
relationship of Eric and his wife. We see bits of his childhood. And
it is all enfolded into scenes from the present.
In
addition to being a captivating, well written story, there are many
issues brought up in the novel. Can we really create the future we
want? Are there forces, or a Force, beyond us that determines our
destiny, despite our best efforts?
This
novel has a haunting quality to it. It certainly gives one pause to
think about how much of our future we can plan for and make happen
and how much is already mapped out for us.
(I
felt the last third, or so, of the book lost a little focus, and was
a bit dragging. Otherwise, it is great.)
I
usually blog reviews of “Christian” books. This is not a
“Christian” book but it certainly has themes and issues
Christians would do well to read about and discuss.
Nicholas
Montemarano is the author of a story collection and a previous novel.
He is Associate Professor of English at Franklin & Marshall
College in Lancaster, PA.
Little,
Brown and Company, 320 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for
the purpose of this review.
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