Jan Notzon's Blog, page 15

And Ye Shall Be as Gods

Jack Morgan -
From the moment we opened And Ye Shall Be as Gods, The New Chapter book club was captivated. The first five chapters gave us so much to discuss that we could have filled an entire evening without even moving further.

The opening scene set the tone beautifully Jacob’s dry humor, his careful observations, and that subtle current of sadness pulled us right in. By Chapter 2, the funeral scene hit like a wave; we were struck by how Jan Notzon balanced the grief of loss with moments of grace and even humor.

Grace’s vulnerability is already so deeply felt, and the quiet love Jacob shows her is nothing short of moving. We all agreed this is the kind of story that will stay with us, and several members have already told friends to get a copy so they can join our discussions. If this is just the start, we can’t wait to see what’s ahead.

And Ye Shall Be as Gods

Amelia Grant- What The New Chapter loved most about the first five chapters was how much emotional weight Jan Notzon managed to pack into them without ever feeling heavy-handed. The flashbacks to Jacob’s youth, the subtle details of his family’s history, and the glimpses into Grace’s fragile state all combined into something profoundly human.

We found ourselves relating to the tensions between siblings, the way old wounds can resurface in moments of crisis, and the challenge of balancing personal grief with the needs of others.

Notzon’s descriptions of the desert were another highlight it’s not just a backdrop, but a living, breathing presence in the story. Several members said they could feel the sun on their skin and taste the dry air while reading. We’re only on Chapter 5, but we’re already emotionally invested. If you love fiction that makes you feel, think, and reflect, this is one to pick up.

And Ye Shall Be as Gods

Ethan Fisher- Reading Chapters 1–5 felt to The New Chapter like being drawn into a photograph that slowly comes to life. Every scene felt tangible the way the air shifts at a funeral, the silence in a hospital room, the unspoken words between family members.

Jan Notzon’s skill lies in capturing these quiet truths and making them resonate. As a group, we were struck by how deeply we already care for Jacob and Grace. There’s a tenderness in their relationship, even when unspoken, that makes the stakes feel incredibly high.

We’ve read plenty of books where it took half the story to get invested; here, it took five chapters. This is exactly the kind of read we crave one that makes us impatient to keep going.

Review by Gina Rae Mitchell

Suffer Not the Mole People is a haunting, deeply human novel that explores what it means to leave everything behind—and the emotional legacy such a choice carries. Jan Notzon doesn’t sugarcoat the immigrant experience. He allows space for the fear, the grief, the shame of feeling like a stranger in your new home—and the silent pride in surviving it all anyway.

This story may be historical in setting, but its emotional truth feels current. For anyone who has lived between cultures, questioned their place, or carried the burden of unspoken trauma, this book speaks volumes.

Review by Samantha Turley

To Sing Like a Mockingbird:

I thought this novel was an excellent fusion of depth and suspenseful twists.

The storyline and characters were captivating.

It's clear the author invested a lot of effort into crafting this book, with every twist adding to its unique appeal.

Suffer Not the Mole People

From: "Sarah reads"

What an absolutely fantastic book this is. Everytime I picked this up I was amazed how better it got. I also know that this book will be with me for a long time.

I have never read this author before but this will be changing. The imagination of this author is something out of this world and he has a great talent for being a great storyteller.

Review by Gina Rae Mitchell

Notzon’s writing doesn’t pull any punches. He digs into his characters’ flaws and complexities, making sure no one comes out looking like a saint. Even Justin, with all his good intentions, wrestles with disillusionment and doubt. The book takes a hard, honest look at what it means to believe in change and if that change is even possible in today’s world.

If you’re looking for a feel-good story where justice wins and everything wraps up neatly, this isn’t it. To Sing Like a Mockingbird is raw, complex, and sometimes painful, but it’s the kind of novel that stays with you long after you turn the last page. It’s also one that would make for an incredible book club discussion. See below for a list of possible discussion questions to get you started.

To Sing Like a Mockingbird

July 18, 2025

A wonderful book with a little bit of everything, it has mystery, drama, and many deep themes that make it stick with you after you read it.

I thought this novel was an excellent fusion of depth and suspenseful twists.

The storyline and characters were captivating.

It's clear the author invested a lot of effort into crafting this book, with every twist adding to its unique appeal.

--Samantha Turley

karla_bookishlife

To Sing Like A Mockingbird, a novel in six acts opens with a prologue reminiscent of a Shakespearean play with the chorus directly addressing the audience in a soliloquy pondering some of life's greatest questions:
"What is it that we ultimately seek? What drives some to bloody conquest, others to the insatiable pursuit of wealth...How comes it that there are those completely fulfilled by a life of quiet contemplation?".

In the course of six acts, the protagonist Justin finds himself pulled amongst men striving for these vastly varying things. He runs up against childhood friends and his family as he attempts to fulfill his job role . His story weaves and interlocks with very different characters - a corrupt county sheriff and a drug cartel boss. All of flawed humanity is on display as their stories merge. Once school friends, their lives diverged and once again convene, doggedly marked by the choices made in life. There is tragic realism as we glimpse the inner makings of each character.

The setting merges as a character in its own right, reminiscent of Elliot's "Wasteland" or Steinbeck's barren landscapes as Texas reveals itself as the cesspool of sordid drugs and corruption. This is a profound and moving read.

Video Review

If I can paste it, here is a brief video review of To Sing Like a Mockingbird, (If goodreads will allow it.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIE_PY...

Yay! Success. As long as it stays up.