Jan Notzon's Blog, page 16
June 16, 2025
Non-writing week
Took a break from writing to help a friend recover from Hurricane Helene. They have a sheep farm in the North Carolina mountains. A lot of the work was done by volunteers from all over the country. it is wonderful to know how people will take time away from their own affairs to help out their fellow man. It's truly inspiring.
Tending toward a hermit's life squirreled away in my house writing, reading and (making an effort at) marketing, I was oblivious to the extent of the damage way high in the mountains. I tend to think of hurricanes as ocean-front events. It just never occurred to me that such a tropical storm could make its way to such high inland elevations. They are calling it a 5,000-year storm!
Did some hard but rewarding work building fences. Just walking up those mountains got my heartrate much higher than any of my workouts do. Then, driving in those metal posts just about did me in.
Well, it was a good feeling even if my contribution was paltry by comparison.
Tending toward a hermit's life squirreled away in my house writing, reading and (making an effort at) marketing, I was oblivious to the extent of the damage way high in the mountains. I tend to think of hurricanes as ocean-front events. It just never occurred to me that such a tropical storm could make its way to such high inland elevations. They are calling it a 5,000-year storm!
Did some hard but rewarding work building fences. Just walking up those mountains got my heartrate much higher than any of my workouts do. Then, driving in those metal posts just about did me in.
Well, it was a good feeling even if my contribution was paltry by comparison.
June 4, 2025
Review by Gina Rae Mitchell
Jan Notzon’s To Sing Like a Mockingbird isn’t just a story—it’s a gut punch. It pulls you into a world where morality isn’t black and white, idealism gets tested at every turn, and where the weight of our choices and circumstances shapes who we become.
Set in the harsh environment of an impoverished area of Texas, the novel’s main protagonist is Justin Kopekne, a teacher who truly believes in the power of education to change lives. But when his brightest student, Míriam, is murdered, his faith in the system—and in himself—starts to crumble. After the school is shut down, Justin needs time to process his grief. He retreats to his brother and sister-in-law’s home, only to find himself confronting an even deeper reckoning: the starkly different paths he and his childhood friends have taken.
Set in the harsh environment of an impoverished area of Texas, the novel’s main protagonist is Justin Kopekne, a teacher who truly believes in the power of education to change lives. But when his brightest student, Míriam, is murdered, his faith in the system—and in himself—starts to crumble. After the school is shut down, Justin needs time to process his grief. He retreats to his brother and sister-in-law’s home, only to find himself confronting an even deeper reckoning: the starkly different paths he and his childhood friends have taken.
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.
