Book Review / "Fugitive Rifts" by A-M Mawhiney

Fugitive Rifts by A-M Mawhiney

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book celebrates the kind of friendship all of us dream of experiencing and which, if given a chance to experience, we would cherish all through our lives. True friendship, like true love, according to Erich Fromm, is based on care, responsibility, respect, and knowledge. Such a powerful bond goes far deeper than chatting, sharing secrets and going to the movies. It can help people change their lives for the better, make more fulfilling choices and reach unimaginable heights. In “Fugitive Rifts”, friendship, in a way, helps save a part of the world and change the fates of people in the future.

Four young people, on the cusp of entering adulthood, struggle with things that can easily break even a grown-up person. They carry their secrets like armour, believing that sharing their problems would show them as weak and make them vulnerable.

Grace is strong and focused on her goal. She is a perfect athlete. It seems that in life, she will be as unstoppable as on the basketball field.

Drew is a ‘golden boy.’ He comes from a rich family, and his faith that the world belongs to him shows in every step of his confident swagger. Yet, a sinister truth is hidden beneath his confident façade.

Ollie is easy-going and perceptive. He appears to be a perfect mediator who is capable of smoothing any argument and making people do what he thinks will lead them to an understanding. But who will help Ollie to deal with the past grief and present tragedy that hangs over his head like a sword of Damocles?

Dottie’s IQ of a scientist is well hidden behind shyness and constant fidgeting. Still, her intelligence is by far a more innocent thing the girl in nerdy glasses is forced to hide.

This book made me smile. Both with a sad recognition of the experiences I’d prefer to forget, and the joy that different scenarios are possible. This book also made me cry. Over the things that might have happened but hadn’t. And over the realisation that nothing can be done to change it. Yet, ultimately, this book has left me with hope filling my soul and making it soar. The story reminded me that no matter how grim the paths we are forced to tread in our lives might be at some point, there is always a chance that bright sunshine is waiting for you around the bend.

“Fugitive Rifts” by A-M Mawhiney tells the story where each reader will find something it was important for them to see. It tackles the topics many of us find urgent, while those in charge prefer to divert our attention to something more likely to bring them political points. I appreciated a fresh, sensible take on the climate change and homeless people problems. Too often we get trapped in the race of our own lives – which only seldom are problem-free – and stay blind to other people’s struggles. Even though, if only we pulled our gazes away from seeking the light ahead in our personal tunnel, we could do something to change the world for the better. For, after all, it doesn’t always take a huge effort to help someone, while the result of a feasible endeavour can surpass any expectations.



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Fugitive Rifts