Jan Notzon's Blog, page 11
May 28, 2025
More About Mockingbird
Unique Intertwined Lives:
The story brings together characters from different walks of life – a teacher, a cartel leader, and a corrupt sheriff – whose paths unexpectedly intersect. This unique dynamic adds layers of complexity and intrigue.
Themes of Idealism and Dissolution:
The novel explores the clash between idealism and the harsh realities of life, particularly in the face of loss and disillusionment.
Overall:
"To Sing Like a Mockingbird" is being recognized as a literary work that delves into the human condition, prompting reflection on themes of loyalty, trust, and the price of choices.
The story brings together characters from different walks of life – a teacher, a cartel leader, and a corrupt sheriff – whose paths unexpectedly intersect. This unique dynamic adds layers of complexity and intrigue.
Themes of Idealism and Dissolution:
The novel explores the clash between idealism and the harsh realities of life, particularly in the face of loss and disillusionment.
Overall:
"To Sing Like a Mockingbird" is being recognized as a literary work that delves into the human condition, prompting reflection on themes of loyalty, trust, and the price of choices.
May 27, 2025
AI Compilation
Here's an AI compilation of what reviewers are saying about To Sing Like a Mockingbird:
Here's a more detailed look at what the reviews say:
Morality and Complexity:
Reviewers emphasize the novel's exploration of moral ambiguity and the grey areas of human behavior, rather than presenting simple good vs. evil.
Compelling Characters:
The characters, particularly Justin Kopekne, a teacher, and his friends who have taken different paths, are described as strong, flawed, and real.
Impact of Circumstances:
The novel explores how the harsh environment and choices made shape the characters' lives and destinies.
Thorough Storytelling:
Reviewers appreciate the way the story unfolds, with different storylines intertwining and the author's ability to create a compelling and intriguing narrative.
Here's a more detailed look at what the reviews say:
Morality and Complexity:
Reviewers emphasize the novel's exploration of moral ambiguity and the grey areas of human behavior, rather than presenting simple good vs. evil.
Compelling Characters:
The characters, particularly Justin Kopekne, a teacher, and his friends who have taken different paths, are described as strong, flawed, and real.
Impact of Circumstances:
The novel explores how the harsh environment and choices made shape the characters' lives and destinies.
Thorough Storytelling:
Reviewers appreciate the way the story unfolds, with different storylines intertwining and the author's ability to create a compelling and intriguing narrative.
May 21, 2025
To Sing Like a Mockingbird 2
Justin Kopechne’s idealized vision of the world that surrounds him is crumbling. In the school/reformatory where he strives to teach kids most have given up on, he is faced with a principal unable to face reality, students who are hired assassins and two friends on opposite sides of the illegal drug trade.
When the school is shut down owing to the brutal murder of the student who was the one light of decency, he takes shelter with his brother and sister-in-law to try to eke out some understanding of the bitter dysfunction of his family.
buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Sing-Like-Mock...
When the school is shut down owing to the brutal murder of the student who was the one light of decency, he takes shelter with his brother and sister-in-law to try to eke out some understanding of the bitter dysfunction of his family.
buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Sing-Like-Mock...
May 16, 2025
To Sing Like a Mockingbird
Strong Emotional Impact:
Reviews consistently mention the novel's ability to create a powerful emotional experience, drawing readers into a world of moral ambiguity and challenging their perspectives.
Complex Themes:
"To Sing Like a Mockingbird" is praised for exploring complex themes like morality, choice, and the weight of circumstances, prompting readers to examine their own beliefs and values.
Enduring Appeal:
Even with some criticisms, reviewers recognize the novel's enduring value and timeless lessons, highlighting the enduring impact of familial relationships and the importance of empathy.
Mixed Perspectives:
While some reviewers find the novel "fantastic," others acknowledge criticisms about potential "white saviorism" or the complexity of certain characters. However, these critiques often don't overshadow the overall positive reception.
Beyond the Narrative:
The novel's impact extends beyond the plot, prompting readers to reflect on social issues and the human condition,
Reviews consistently mention the novel's ability to create a powerful emotional experience, drawing readers into a world of moral ambiguity and challenging their perspectives.
Complex Themes:
"To Sing Like a Mockingbird" is praised for exploring complex themes like morality, choice, and the weight of circumstances, prompting readers to examine their own beliefs and values.
Enduring Appeal:
Even with some criticisms, reviewers recognize the novel's enduring value and timeless lessons, highlighting the enduring impact of familial relationships and the importance of empathy.
Mixed Perspectives:
While some reviewers find the novel "fantastic," others acknowledge criticisms about potential "white saviorism" or the complexity of certain characters. However, these critiques often don't overshadow the overall positive reception.
Beyond the Narrative:
The novel's impact extends beyond the plot, prompting readers to reflect on social issues and the human condition,
May 15, 2025
What else they're saying
Recent reviews for "To Sing Like a Mockingbird" by Jan Notzon generally praise its powerful and emotional impact, highlighting its ability to challenge readers and explore complex themes.
Gina Rae Mitchell's review, for example, calls it a "gut punch" that explores morality, idealism, and the influence of choices and circumstances.
The book is being compared to To Kill a Mockingbird as well, with some noting its ability to resonate with modern readers.
Gina Rae Mitchell's review, for example, calls it a "gut punch" that explores morality, idealism, and the influence of choices and circumstances.
The book is being compared to To Kill a Mockingbird as well, with some noting its ability to resonate with modern readers.
May 10, 2025
What They're saying
Here are what critics are saying about To Sing Like a Mockingbird:
Engaging Story: Reviewers describe the story as enduring, intriguing, thrilling, and amazing.
Strong Characters: The characters are praised for being strong, flawed, and realistic.
Unique Storytelling: Notzon's imagination and talent for showing the story are highlighted.
Thought-Provoking Themes: The book explores themes like loyalty, trust, idealism, and the price of choices.
Exploration of Humanity: The book is said to look "under the hood of humanity," prompting readers to consider motivations and desires.
Recommendation: Amy's Bookshelf Reviews gives the book a definite recommendation.
Engaging Story: Reviewers describe the story as enduring, intriguing, thrilling, and amazing.
Strong Characters: The characters are praised for being strong, flawed, and realistic.
Unique Storytelling: Notzon's imagination and talent for showing the story are highlighted.
Thought-Provoking Themes: The book explores themes like loyalty, trust, idealism, and the price of choices.
Exploration of Humanity: The book is said to look "under the hood of humanity," prompting readers to consider motivations and desires.
Recommendation: Amy's Bookshelf Reviews gives the book a definite recommendation.
What They're saying
Here are what critics are saying about To Sing Like a Mockingbird.
Engaging Story: Reviewers describe the story as enduring, intriguing, thrilling, and amazing.
Strong Characters: The characters are praised for being strong, flawed, and realistic.
Unique Storytelling: Notzon's imagination and talent for showing the story are highlighted.
Thought-Provoking Themes: The book explores themes like loyalty, trust, idealism, and the price of choices.
Exploration of Humanity: The book is said to look "under the hood of humanity," prompting readers to consider motivations and desires.
Recommendation: Amy's Bookshelf Reviews gives the book a definite recommendation.
Engaging Story: Reviewers describe the story as enduring, intriguing, thrilling, and amazing.
Strong Characters: The characters are praised for being strong, flawed, and realistic.
Unique Storytelling: Notzon's imagination and talent for showing the story are highlighted.
Thought-Provoking Themes: The book explores themes like loyalty, trust, idealism, and the price of choices.
Exploration of Humanity: The book is said to look "under the hood of humanity," prompting readers to consider motivations and desires.
Recommendation: Amy's Bookshelf Reviews gives the book a definite recommendation.
May 3, 2025
Honesty
I am really disturbed by the level of dishonesty in our society, judging by the plethora of scams. I see them not just as a writer, with all kinds of offers for publishing and movie deals but the onslaught of phone calls looking so official and baiting you with false offers and even charges that bait you to contact them to tell them that you didn't make the purchase. Please, don't answer those messages.
I only hope that some portion of them come from outside the country. If not, I think this bodes very ill for the future of the United States.
When watching the movie "The Sound of Freedom", the actor Jim Caviezel comes on at the end with an appeal in which he says that more people are enslaved today than at any time in history. I know the population is much larger than at any time in history, but still, this is a truly horrible fact and an indictment of society today.
I only hope that some portion of them come from outside the country. If not, I think this bodes very ill for the future of the United States.
When watching the movie "The Sound of Freedom", the actor Jim Caviezel comes on at the end with an appeal in which he says that more people are enslaved today than at any time in history. I know the population is much larger than at any time in history, but still, this is a truly horrible fact and an indictment of society today.
May 1, 2025
From: Amy's Bookshelf Reviews
Jan Notzon's To Sing Like a Mockingbird
In a world where hope is a rare commodity, one teacher battles against the darkness to find light in the unlikeliest of places About the Book: Justin Kopechne's idealized vision of the world that surrounds him is crumbling.
In the school/reformatory where he strives to teach kids most have given up on, he is faced with a principal unable to face reality, students who are hired assassins and two friends on opposite sides of the illegal drug trade.
When the school is shut down owing to the brutal murder of the student who was the one light of decency, he takes shelter with his brother and sister-in-law to try to eke out some understanding of the bitter dysfunction of his family..
In a world where hope is a rare commodity, one teacher battles against the darkness to find light in the unlikeliest of places About the Book: Justin Kopechne's idealized vision of the world that surrounds him is crumbling.
In the school/reformatory where he strives to teach kids most have given up on, he is faced with a principal unable to face reality, students who are hired assassins and two friends on opposite sides of the illegal drug trade.
When the school is shut down owing to the brutal murder of the student who was the one light of decency, he takes shelter with his brother and sister-in-law to try to eke out some understanding of the bitter dysfunction of his family..
April 26, 2025
Friends
I had a wonderful group of friends over for a party. One brought enough food to feed an army!
It was just what the doctor ordered. More people came than I expected and we just had the most enjoyable time just visiting with each other. As a person and a writer, I've come to realize how important a social life is.
I got to know these people through a neighbor who died last month just 6 months short of her 100th birthday. I got to know her when I'd go on my exercise walks and if she was out, she'd always say, "You're gonna; get a speedin' ticket!"
This group would get together at her house and I sorely missed those get-togethers (not to mention her). Now, we've continued the tradition!
It was just what the doctor ordered. More people came than I expected and we just had the most enjoyable time just visiting with each other. As a person and a writer, I've come to realize how important a social life is.
I got to know these people through a neighbor who died last month just 6 months short of her 100th birthday. I got to know her when I'd go on my exercise walks and if she was out, she'd always say, "You're gonna; get a speedin' ticket!"
This group would get together at her house and I sorely missed those get-togethers (not to mention her). Now, we've continued the tradition!
