A Way Back to Life

by Mark Phillips

Facebook and the internet have changed our lives. They offer a glut of information but little personal connection. This is what Edwin Goodeve discovers in the months after his wife's death. Edwin's editor is running out of patience, he wants a new article. After a chance encounter in the laundry room of his apartment complex, Edwin realizes what the article should be. He decides to interview five neighbors about important moments in their lives; important moments in America. While hearing their stories, Edwin begins to reconnect with society and find his own way back to life.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2014

About the author

Mark Phillips is the author of several thriller and literary novels. His Bentley Books series introduced the world to sadistic serial killer Bentley Grimes, a villain of unbelievable cruelty and unimaginable coldness. His literary novels are populated with richly drawn characters struggling with issues that affect our society today, such as: homosexuality, alcoholism, family struggles, poverty, greed, and bigotry.
His newest novel, Overwhelming Force, deals with the issue of police brutality and street violence.
Mark was born in Clawson, Michigan, a small suburb of Detroit and currently resides in Canton, Michigan with his wife and their three children.

He has published ten books:
Beneath the Mask of Sanity
Beyond the Mask
Re-Test
Typewriter Blood
A Way Back to Life
Two Worlds
Before the Mask
The Space Between
No Credit in Heaven
Overwhelming Force
Mark currently resides in Canton, Michigan with his wife and their three children.


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Reviews

[Erin Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truthfully, I don't remember where or how I came to get this e-book. First, as tempting is to judge a book by its cover, which is nondescript and makes it hard to get a bead on what you're about to read, I urge you to give it a try. I--more or less--finished this book in two sittings. My only gripe with this book were the many errors that could've been proofed out, such as "bare that burden," "turn the houses (hoses?) on us," and "saving (saying?) I love you." The premise of this book is quite good, and inspires the reader to go ahead and be a little more sociable with those you might otherwise overlook. All in all, not a bad way to pass an evening.

[Wayne Elsner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world isn't always an easy place to grow up in or to live in. All of us have our stories and many of them would make for interesting journalism. Edwin Goodeve’s story was only one of the many and when he found that his neighbors had stories that rivaled his own he found himself coming out of the deep funk he had been in and found his way back to life.

I thoroughly enjoyed the stories that make up A Way Back to Life but as only a few books can I found myself looking at my life differently. I have lived in apartments where I didn't know my neighbors and they could have had people with stories as real and poignant as those told by Phillips. Stories about such deeply rooted beliefs and morals. Excellent job. I would recommend this book to anyone and almost all ages.


I was given a copy for evaluation and an unbiased review.

[Joannes Rhino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say that this is quite a touchy book. It's about getting to know more about someone's experience. The author has done a perfect job in bringing emotions to the surface. I assume that these 5 people are real, not just because their stories seem real but the conversations are so realistic. Overall, A Way Back To Life is a pure drama with lots of emotions involved. This reading definitely will leave something to the readers.

[Carol Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an experience. It takes you right into the heart of five strangers lives. Each one with a special and unique story. You cannot read this book and not be touched. It brought me to tears both with joy and pain. Reading this book helps you realize the things that truly matter in life... people.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I realized that I didn't know the people who weren't living around me as well as I knew the people on the computer."

Ahh... The downside of social media. Mark Phillips is giving us a bit of a reality check when the main character has to go back to the basics of what it means to be socially connected.