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From Afar
Morgan Stanfield, a naive romantic jaded by past love, leaves the familiar surroundings of his Santa Barbara home to search for love in the far northern city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. On his four-day odyssey he encounters a Russian beauty, a prostitute, a wise old babushka, an American chauvinist, intellectuals, the Russian mafia, and the ‘face’ of love, and comes to know how love from a distance can be more captivating than love close on hand. From Afar is a timeless tale of a man’s struggle to find love and himself.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2015
113 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Frank Scozzari
43 books133 followersFrank Scozzari is an American novelist and short story writer. A five-time Pushcart Prize nominee, his short stories have been widely anthologized and featured in literary theater.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
February 2, 2016
Again, I consider myself a bit of a lucky duck. I feel privileged to be asked by an author to read their book they’ve worked so hard on, and to be sent a copy. So firstly I extend my thanks to the author for this.
Literary fiction is not a genre I’m expert at, I’m not much of an expert at anything.. but reading, yes I am! I enjoy learning and in fact, it’s probably one of my most important factors to a successful reading experience.
Frank Scozzari has written a moving fictional account of one man’s attempt to simply find someone to love. What a guy he was. Straight up, trusting, giving. He finds his way to Russia and goes through a kind of comedy of errors whilst unwittingly ending this Russian sojourn with his own coming of age.
Simple and crisp, I think Mr Scozzari is very skilled at this type of descriptive writing, whilst conveying the emotions of his protagonist who is trying so hard to find something that seems to be so elusive.
I know next to nothing about Russia. “It’s a myriad of paradoxes really. It’s war, and it’s love. It’s friendly but it’s not. It’s warm but it’s cold. It’s a place of laughter and a place of tears. You can be a hero and a villain at the same time.”
Lovers of literary fiction will really enjoy this ride, a sometimes humorous one through the eyes of a man that really does deserve it!!
Literary fiction is not a genre I’m expert at, I’m not much of an expert at anything.. but reading, yes I am! I enjoy learning and in fact, it’s probably one of my most important factors to a successful reading experience.
Frank Scozzari has written a moving fictional account of one man’s attempt to simply find someone to love. What a guy he was. Straight up, trusting, giving. He finds his way to Russia and goes through a kind of comedy of errors whilst unwittingly ending this Russian sojourn with his own coming of age.
Simple and crisp, I think Mr Scozzari is very skilled at this type of descriptive writing, whilst conveying the emotions of his protagonist who is trying so hard to find something that seems to be so elusive.
I know next to nothing about Russia. “It’s a myriad of paradoxes really. It’s war, and it’s love. It’s friendly but it’s not. It’s warm but it’s cold. It’s a place of laughter and a place of tears. You can be a hero and a villain at the same time.”
Lovers of literary fiction will really enjoy this ride, a sometimes humorous one through the eyes of a man that really does deserve it!!
August 7, 2015
As soon as I opened this book to the first page, I was hooked. The modern story of a search for love as told by the main character, Morgan Stanfield is hauntingly compelling. Author Frank Scozzari writes in such a way that draws you in, finds you cheering for his dream, but at the same time, we want to shout at him to stop. We feel his hope, his yearning, and we become invested in the emotion that compels him forward. A trip to Russia against his friend’s advice finds him in a hopeless tangle of misfortunes. The care in which he crafts the characters is wonderful. The pace of the story keeps you turning the pages. The emotion wrenches your heart. This author is definitely one I will follow.
December 10, 2020
An interesting read with him finding love, I enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. A lot of things happen in this book with ups and downs in his life making it a real rollercoaster. You will have to read this book, I am not spoiling it any more for you.
September 1, 2015
With his emotional time clock ticking, a lonely and desperate man searches for love in all the wrong places, only to find that maybe it isn’t love with another he is searching for, until he can learn to love himself. Morgan Stanfield travels to Russia, in search of the woman he has corresponded with on a Russian brides’ site. Alone in a strange and frigid country, this 38-year-old California man is stood up, used, lied to and tricked. Already disillusioned by American dating services, the hauntingly beautiful faces of these Russian women conjure visions of saving an appreciative damsel who is sincere, loving and will forever see him as a hero. Ah, the dreams of a romantic soul, naïve, an easy mark for the wiles of the conniving female population. Is his dream woman waiting for him or will Morgan stand a better chance of snagging a bottle of good Russian vodka?
From Afar by Frank Scozzari is a an often humorous tale of one man’s search to find happiness as he continues to see the best in humanity, in spite of the easy prey he has become. Mr. Scozzari has taken us to Russia, shared its streets, landmarks and even their beliefs in superstitions. We have the opportunity to feel the Russian weather, the demeanor of their people and are spared the flight, customs and being alone in a foreign land. Unfortunately, our Morgan isn’t as lucky as he wraps himself around your heart with his sincere beliefs that people are basically good.
Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes you may want to roll your eyes and sometimes, laughter and head shaking is all you can do when Morgan acts like the guy who runs up the stairs, in the dark in a bad slasher movie.
I received this copy from Frank Scozzari in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: March 9, 2015
Publisher: Summer Solstice
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 200 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
From Afar by Frank Scozzari is a an often humorous tale of one man’s search to find happiness as he continues to see the best in humanity, in spite of the easy prey he has become. Mr. Scozzari has taken us to Russia, shared its streets, landmarks and even their beliefs in superstitions. We have the opportunity to feel the Russian weather, the demeanor of their people and are spared the flight, customs and being alone in a foreign land. Unfortunately, our Morgan isn’t as lucky as he wraps himself around your heart with his sincere beliefs that people are basically good.
Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes you may want to roll your eyes and sometimes, laughter and head shaking is all you can do when Morgan acts like the guy who runs up the stairs, in the dark in a bad slasher movie.
I received this copy from Frank Scozzari in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: March 9, 2015
Publisher: Summer Solstice
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 200 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
August 24, 2015
As soon as I read about the intertwined skeletons at the beginning I knew I was going to love this book. It’s not at all what I expected which is what makes it so brilliant.
This is excellent writing, I was completely engrossed in Morgan’s Russian adventure and raced through this book in no time. Morgan seems to be quite an unlucky guy, so there are many moments of hilarity when his visit to Russia doesn’t go as planned. I really admired him when he chose one of the Russian ladies to correspond with, when most of the other American men he meets on the plane were hedging their bets by corresponding with lots of women. It just shows how loyal and monogamous he intended to be right from the start, and gives all single ladies hope that there are some genuinely nice guys out there.
Near the end of his trip, Morgan seemed right at home in Saint Petersburg and it seemed only right that he, as a Californian, experienced a Russian snowfall. The writing was so beautiful that I could almost feel the snowflakes on my face. I loved the stark contrast between the poverty of the residential areas and the beauty of the tourist sites. I’ll not spoil the story by giving any more of it away but it’s really worth reading.
This was clearly very well researched and at the end of the book I found myself heading off to google to find out more about some of the sites mentioned, e.g. Bridge of Kisses, Church of the Spilt Blood, The Hermitage Museum, Mikhailovsky Castle and the Palace Square, to name but a few. Perhaps not a conventional way to meet your future partner but love knows no bounds and rather philosophically we are reminded that “Half the distance around the earth is only two centimeters on a map”.
A wonderful read that reminds us to follow our heart wherever it may lead.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is excellent writing, I was completely engrossed in Morgan’s Russian adventure and raced through this book in no time. Morgan seems to be quite an unlucky guy, so there are many moments of hilarity when his visit to Russia doesn’t go as planned. I really admired him when he chose one of the Russian ladies to correspond with, when most of the other American men he meets on the plane were hedging their bets by corresponding with lots of women. It just shows how loyal and monogamous he intended to be right from the start, and gives all single ladies hope that there are some genuinely nice guys out there.
Near the end of his trip, Morgan seemed right at home in Saint Petersburg and it seemed only right that he, as a Californian, experienced a Russian snowfall. The writing was so beautiful that I could almost feel the snowflakes on my face. I loved the stark contrast between the poverty of the residential areas and the beauty of the tourist sites. I’ll not spoil the story by giving any more of it away but it’s really worth reading.
This was clearly very well researched and at the end of the book I found myself heading off to google to find out more about some of the sites mentioned, e.g. Bridge of Kisses, Church of the Spilt Blood, The Hermitage Museum, Mikhailovsky Castle and the Palace Square, to name but a few. Perhaps not a conventional way to meet your future partner but love knows no bounds and rather philosophically we are reminded that “Half the distance around the earth is only two centimeters on a map”.
A wonderful read that reminds us to follow our heart wherever it may lead.
I received this e-book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Read
August 10, 2016DNF at 30%
I normally politely reject the offers to read and review f/m romance books. Honestly, I’m not a target audience for this kind of book, but I agreed to try this one, because…yes, because of placing and settings, and the blurb sounded funny. I have to admit, the author made me curious in the beginning: Morgan Stanfield is an average California guy in his middle age, who, after spitting from his girlfriend of 7 years, desperately wishes at last to find his soul mate. On the Internet. Russian bride sites offers the most beautiful girls, it is why he decides that his dream woman lives in Russia.
After some beginner’s mistakes, that cost him large sums of money and sarcastic comments from his best friend, he sets off for his
It was to expect that nothing would run smoothly, considering the nativity of Morgan, and probably he’ll find what he is looking for at the end, but I suddenly lost the interest in his adventure. It started to appear very documentary in a way, I didn’t like any more. You know, these TV reports “men form the west looking for a wife in from Eastern Europe“. I am not inspired to read about the adventure of a California bachelor, who comes to Russia to meet a woman of his life after he and his “best choice” just exchanged some emails and had a single short phone conversation, but who already use the magic, big “L” word for explaining their feelings.
I have to confess though that Frank Scozzari has a nice simple writing style that could have been a winner if he had kept the story light and hilarious. But it was not the case.
No rating, I didn’t come too far, besides, honestly, it is really not my genre.
***ARC provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2018
It was ok and wasn't that interesting as I expected it to be . The book started good but at 25% it was too difficult for me to read it but I did anyway . There were some funny moments though .
“Because I used to own a Harley.”
“You did?”
“Yes.”
She sighed with thoughtful reflection.
“Best thing I ever had between my legs.”
Narrater's friend kim seemed a funny woman too and The book is full of depressed thoughts in the starting . But there are many beautiful thoughts of narrater you just can't ignore .
humans are attracted to the beautiful light, this light called love, and, when they reach it, they’re generally burnt to a crisp too.
This is one of my favorite ❤
“Because I used to own a Harley.”
“You did?”
“Yes.”
She sighed with thoughtful reflection.
“Best thing I ever had between my legs.”
Narrater's friend kim seemed a funny woman too and The book is full of depressed thoughts in the starting . But there are many beautiful thoughts of narrater you just can't ignore .
humans are attracted to the beautiful light, this light called love, and, when they reach it, they’re generally burnt to a crisp too.
This is one of my favorite ❤
June 2, 2015
Alone, lonely and heart-sick, Morgan Stanfield travels to Russia thinking that he is in search of love when all this time he has been in search of himself. Writing honestly to the point of cringe-worthy embarrassment, this (faux?) memoir does not spare us the naked thoughts of a deeply troubled and vulnerable man as he sees his forties approach and he fears that he will never experience love in this life that is speeding by so fast. As a gullible and naive traveler to a land filled with contrasts he witnesses first-hand the best and worst that humanity has to offer. Provided friendship by the genuinely warm-hearted he is equally preyed upon by the mean-spirited and opportunistic but one of his nicest attributes (and he has many) is that he never gives up on the human race, or indeed, most importantly, himself. I can see him returning to the land of warmth and cold and being less naive and gullible and - more critically - being more sure of himself, he is bound to find what he, all along, has been looking for. I would love to read that sequel and see what it is that he finds.
September 27, 2015
From Afar is unlike any story I’ve read, and I’m glad I took the opportunity to read it.
Author Frank Scozzari is masterful in his description of Morgan Stanfield’s quest to find his one true love, traveling all the way from California to Russia. The story takes some unexpected turns and the characters Morgan meets along the way add richness to the reader’s experience.
I very much enjoyed From Afar: A Memoir, and encourage anyone looking for a descriptive book that takes you on a beautiful journey, to check it out!
Author Frank Scozzari is masterful in his description of Morgan Stanfield’s quest to find his one true love, traveling all the way from California to Russia. The story takes some unexpected turns and the characters Morgan meets along the way add richness to the reader’s experience.
I very much enjoyed From Afar: A Memoir, and encourage anyone looking for a descriptive book that takes you on a beautiful journey, to check it out!
October 1, 2020
First, I want to say that Frank Scozzari is a master storyteller and a great writer. For this reason, I'm starting with 5 stars, but I'm going to dock half a star because his proofreader failed him terribly. The developmental editing was great, the grammar was great, but the typos were really distracting – not enough to completely detract from the story, however.
Please bear with me on the rest of this review, because this is going to sound critical, but please wait till the end. I had a very hard time with this one, and almost put it down a few chapters from the end, because the main character was infuriatingly aggravating, at least for me.
This story begins with a description of what I assume was The Lovers of Valdero. It turns out that it's our main character, Morgan Stanfield, looking at the archeological dig on a computer screen.
Where do I start with Morgan? I couldn't stand him! I didn't relate to him at all, and I barely felt sorry for him. He is a hopeless romantic, searching for some ideological relationship, an idealistic fantasy found on the pages of fairy tales. This didn't detract from the story, but it made it really difficult to like Morgan.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely believe in love. I think someone can find someone and live with them for the rest of their lives, through good times and bad times. But good god, try to live in the realm of reality.
Right after he pines after the "eternal love" he sees reflected in the picture of the embracing skeletons, he starts searching for love. Not by going out and meeting people, but right there on his computer. When the Americans fail to satisfy him, he turns to Bride.ru, a Russian bride website. He flips through dozens of pictures of Russian women and finds Natasha. For him, it's "love at first sight." He is completely smitten, and sends her an email.
. . .
Personally, I'm completely inexperienced with dating apps and hook-up sites, so perhaps I shouldn't judge, but I just feel like there's a lot of fraud and terrible mismatches that happen when using these websites, moreso with Russian ones. When we get to chapter two, I learn that his friends agree with me, and try to talk him out of turning to Russia for his relationships.
Because this book is written in first person, we get to read Morgan's thoughts and criticisms of his friends as they give him this sound advice. He dismisses them, and I want to slap him upside the head. A good slap, a "Gibbs slap."
Despite his friends' protests, Mr. Stanfield returns home and finds that his Natasha has responded, but sadly, she has already found somebody. Through his devastation, he desperately searches for a second best, and finds Anastasia. He likes this girl, but not as much as Natasha. Enough to book a flight to Russia and meet her though.
I really don't want to give the entire book away, but let's just say that his time in Russia is one idiotic choice after another, and by the time I read 90% of the book, I was so done with Morgan. I mean, this idiot deserved everything that came his way. There is only so much naivety that I can take before it becomes too much.
Regardless, I continued reading. Like I said, Scozzari is a good writer.
The ending of this book saved it. I was prepared to drop this book's rating another half a star. I kept assuming that he was going to find love, and I couldn't think of any way that would happen without it being completely cheesy. I imagined he was going to find Natasha (he had already spotted her a couple times in the story) and it was going to be a happily ever after story. He didn't and it wasn't.
But the story didn't end on a sad note, nor did he find his true love. Rather, Morgan came away from everything a little wiser and a little smarter. He had some rough lessons, and he learned from them. I still didn't resonate with him, but I came away respecting him. And for that, I'm returning the half star, to give From Afar a full 5 stars.
My favorite part of the book is when Morgan sits with Dmitri, a professor of literature, and they discuss Pushkin's work. It's the point in the novel where Morgan really starts to reflect on his life and his place in the world. It's when he really starts to develop. I also felt that this is where Scozzari highlights the point of his story.
I have no doubt in my mind that Morgan will continue to make stupid decisions, but in the end, I think his trip to Russia was not the worst one he ever made. In fact, it may be one of the better ones. He may have not found what he was looking for, but he found what he needed.
Please bear with me on the rest of this review, because this is going to sound critical, but please wait till the end. I had a very hard time with this one, and almost put it down a few chapters from the end, because the main character was infuriatingly aggravating, at least for me.
This story begins with a description of what I assume was The Lovers of Valdero. It turns out that it's our main character, Morgan Stanfield, looking at the archeological dig on a computer screen.
Where do I start with Morgan? I couldn't stand him! I didn't relate to him at all, and I barely felt sorry for him. He is a hopeless romantic, searching for some ideological relationship, an idealistic fantasy found on the pages of fairy tales. This didn't detract from the story, but it made it really difficult to like Morgan.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely believe in love. I think someone can find someone and live with them for the rest of their lives, through good times and bad times. But good god, try to live in the realm of reality.
Right after he pines after the "eternal love" he sees reflected in the picture of the embracing skeletons, he starts searching for love. Not by going out and meeting people, but right there on his computer. When the Americans fail to satisfy him, he turns to Bride.ru, a Russian bride website. He flips through dozens of pictures of Russian women and finds Natasha. For him, it's "love at first sight." He is completely smitten, and sends her an email.
. . .
Personally, I'm completely inexperienced with dating apps and hook-up sites, so perhaps I shouldn't judge, but I just feel like there's a lot of fraud and terrible mismatches that happen when using these websites, moreso with Russian ones. When we get to chapter two, I learn that his friends agree with me, and try to talk him out of turning to Russia for his relationships.
Because this book is written in first person, we get to read Morgan's thoughts and criticisms of his friends as they give him this sound advice. He dismisses them, and I want to slap him upside the head. A good slap, a "Gibbs slap."
Despite his friends' protests, Mr. Stanfield returns home and finds that his Natasha has responded, but sadly, she has already found somebody. Through his devastation, he desperately searches for a second best, and finds Anastasia. He likes this girl, but not as much as Natasha. Enough to book a flight to Russia and meet her though.
I really don't want to give the entire book away, but let's just say that his time in Russia is one idiotic choice after another, and by the time I read 90% of the book, I was so done with Morgan. I mean, this idiot deserved everything that came his way. There is only so much naivety that I can take before it becomes too much.
Regardless, I continued reading. Like I said, Scozzari is a good writer.
The ending of this book saved it. I was prepared to drop this book's rating another half a star. I kept assuming that he was going to find love, and I couldn't think of any way that would happen without it being completely cheesy. I imagined he was going to find Natasha (he had already spotted her a couple times in the story) and it was going to be a happily ever after story. He didn't and it wasn't.
But the story didn't end on a sad note, nor did he find his true love. Rather, Morgan came away from everything a little wiser and a little smarter. He had some rough lessons, and he learned from them. I still didn't resonate with him, but I came away respecting him. And for that, I'm returning the half star, to give From Afar a full 5 stars.
My favorite part of the book is when Morgan sits with Dmitri, a professor of literature, and they discuss Pushkin's work. It's the point in the novel where Morgan really starts to reflect on his life and his place in the world. It's when he really starts to develop. I also felt that this is where Scozzari highlights the point of his story.
I have no doubt in my mind that Morgan will continue to make stupid decisions, but in the end, I think his trip to Russia was not the worst one he ever made. In fact, it may be one of the better ones. He may have not found what he was looking for, but he found what he needed.
August 20, 2015
This book introduces you to Morgan Stanfield, a Californian searching for the one true love - in Russia.
With From Afar: A Memoir, Frank Scozzari has created an unforgettable and enjoyable story with a hint of romance. The story comprises a variety of interesting characters with sufficient depth and an excellent combination of a hopeful journey and entertaining interactions. I had a great time reading From Afar: A Memoir - it is a very enjoyable and heart-warming read. I was drawn into the story right away, like an invisible and close friend. Morgan is a very likeable character. The story is expertly plotted and has some very nice turns; a fast and fun read.
This is for you if you like fast, fun and heart-warming reads and a touch of romance.
This is a very pleasant book to read again.
Highly recommended.
4.7 stars
With From Afar: A Memoir, Frank Scozzari has created an unforgettable and enjoyable story with a hint of romance. The story comprises a variety of interesting characters with sufficient depth and an excellent combination of a hopeful journey and entertaining interactions. I had a great time reading From Afar: A Memoir - it is a very enjoyable and heart-warming read. I was drawn into the story right away, like an invisible and close friend. Morgan is a very likeable character. The story is expertly plotted and has some very nice turns; a fast and fun read.
This is for you if you like fast, fun and heart-warming reads and a touch of romance.
This is a very pleasant book to read again.
Highly recommended.
4.7 stars
October 12, 2015
Morgan Stanfield is tormented by his recent breakup and wants true love. He started searching the Internet for beautiful women in Russia.
From Afar was a funny tale, with detailed advice from local friends and new ones met on this International scene. Friends in Santa Barbara, California where Morgan lives think he's out of his mind to follow such notions.
Later advice from new acquaintances on a plane to Russia, left me roaring at the epidemic of men rushing to Saint Petersburg and other places in Russia for beautiful women. Many of the men misrepresent themselves and profess love and commitment to several women at a time though these Russian women are not aware of all the others in the pipeline.
However, not our main character Morgan, who is looking for true love, his soulmate. He doesn't want to take advantage of any woman. From Afar shows Morgan's captivating search for love in Russia through his jet-lagged, and incurable romantic eyes as he ever searches for Natasha. The ups and downs of this story give an inside glimpse of viewing love at a distance.
At times protected by rose colored glasses, Morgan finds a country full of lush characters, architecture, and dangers for the heart and soul. The author, Frank Scozzari, and this blend of humor and portraying Morgan's unselfish hope for love left me rooting for his tenacious, incurable romantic views on commitment.
For the most part, vivid realism peppers the pages. I couldn't put this book of love down. Such bittersweet experiences of Morgan's frustration when plans dissolve into thin air. Luckily the roller-coaster ride of relationships portrayed the good in people too, like befriending a helpful Russian cab driver among other cabby's ready to eat travelers alive. To hidden kindness in a parched land and the magnificent descriptions that leave the reader wanting to go to Russia to partake of its fairy tale beliefs and feel the bitter cold of the weather and scams.
I'd specifically recommend this book to people of all ages who enjoy foreign travel, romance, art history, and amazing Russian art. I'd further recommend it for anyone not giving up on love or anything worth waiting for, searching and keeping the humor of it all.
From Afar was a funny tale, with detailed advice from local friends and new ones met on this International scene. Friends in Santa Barbara, California where Morgan lives think he's out of his mind to follow such notions.
Later advice from new acquaintances on a plane to Russia, left me roaring at the epidemic of men rushing to Saint Petersburg and other places in Russia for beautiful women. Many of the men misrepresent themselves and profess love and commitment to several women at a time though these Russian women are not aware of all the others in the pipeline.
However, not our main character Morgan, who is looking for true love, his soulmate. He doesn't want to take advantage of any woman. From Afar shows Morgan's captivating search for love in Russia through his jet-lagged, and incurable romantic eyes as he ever searches for Natasha. The ups and downs of this story give an inside glimpse of viewing love at a distance.
At times protected by rose colored glasses, Morgan finds a country full of lush characters, architecture, and dangers for the heart and soul. The author, Frank Scozzari, and this blend of humor and portraying Morgan's unselfish hope for love left me rooting for his tenacious, incurable romantic views on commitment.
For the most part, vivid realism peppers the pages. I couldn't put this book of love down. Such bittersweet experiences of Morgan's frustration when plans dissolve into thin air. Luckily the roller-coaster ride of relationships portrayed the good in people too, like befriending a helpful Russian cab driver among other cabby's ready to eat travelers alive. To hidden kindness in a parched land and the magnificent descriptions that leave the reader wanting to go to Russia to partake of its fairy tale beliefs and feel the bitter cold of the weather and scams.
I'd specifically recommend this book to people of all ages who enjoy foreign travel, romance, art history, and amazing Russian art. I'd further recommend it for anyone not giving up on love or anything worth waiting for, searching and keeping the humor of it all.
April 1, 2018
DNFed @50%.
Note: Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a copy for review.
I can't keep up with the pretentious only-two-centimeters-away-from-you Morgan Stanfield, I just can't.
What I expected from the blurb:
1. Depressed protagonist
2. Finds safe haven in Russia
3. Wanders about as a nomad in search of love
4. Meets some great people and women with whom he forms lifelong connections
5. Pens down memoirs (of sorts)
Bonus: Scenic descriptions of the historical St. Petersburg.
What I got instead:
1. Protagonist dealing with mid-life crisis
2. Personal life in shambles
3. Finds love in the most unlikely place (proclaimed by his friends, he thinks otherwise)
4. Goes to the said place and wanders about as a tourist
I didn't read along to form further consensus.
The author initially starts off with good insights into love and its surrounding mystery in Russia. I guess I should have guessed the trajectory of the plot when the protagonist resorts to a dating site to find love and sets himself up on a blind date with a woman in Russia
For the record, I'm not against online dating. It helps at times when your social life is at an all-time-low and you just don't feel like "getting out on the field." But the way Morgan describes the women and their profiles *yeah, yeah, I should've guessed*
Rather than coming across as this philosophical enigma called love and longing, Morgan's motive seems shallow and condescending. The manner in which the author demarcates lines between the American and Russian cultures, I empathise with him trying to bridge the gap, but it instead feels like he is rubbing that difference in my nose every now and then (Morgan hanging out with Russians, asking lame and spineless questions such as "Why are Russian women so beautiful?" to a Russian tourist guide!)
I draw the line here.
Note: Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a copy for review.
I can't keep up with the pretentious only-two-centimeters-away-from-you Morgan Stanfield, I just can't.
What I expected from the blurb:
1. Depressed protagonist
2. Finds safe haven in Russia
3. Wanders about as a nomad in search of love
4. Meets some great people and women with whom he forms lifelong connections
5. Pens down memoirs (of sorts)
Bonus: Scenic descriptions of the historical St. Petersburg.
What I got instead:
1. Protagonist dealing with mid-life crisis
2. Personal life in shambles
3. Finds love in the most unlikely place (proclaimed by his friends, he thinks otherwise)
4. Goes to the said place and wanders about as a tourist
I didn't read along to form further consensus.
The author initially starts off with good insights into love and its surrounding mystery in Russia. I guess I should have guessed the trajectory of the plot when the protagonist resorts to a dating site to find love and sets himself up on a blind date with a woman in Russia
For the record, I'm not against online dating. It helps at times when your social life is at an all-time-low and you just don't feel like "getting out on the field." But the way Morgan describes the women and their profiles *yeah, yeah, I should've guessed*
Rather than coming across as this philosophical enigma called love and longing, Morgan's motive seems shallow and condescending. The manner in which the author demarcates lines between the American and Russian cultures, I empathise with him trying to bridge the gap, but it instead feels like he is rubbing that difference in my nose every now and then (Morgan hanging out with Russians, asking lame and spineless questions such as "Why are Russian women so beautiful?" to a Russian tourist guide!)
I draw the line here.
October 22, 2015
Morgan Stanfield is lonely, yet he believes in happily ever after and eternal love to the point of obsession and his outlook on love and relationships comes across amusingly boyish. After American dating services don’t deliver the ideal woman, he subscribes to a site where men seek Russian brides. Soon he’s leaving sunny California on a flight to Russia to meet a woman he believes will end his quest to find the perfect woman. His initial naïve outlook on love gradually evolves to a more cynical view as the story progresses.
The story is fascinating on many accounts (spoiler alert). The author is very skilled at his craft. The descriptions of the Russian people, places and culture were amazing and the introspective discussions on relationships and love thought provoking. I was captivated by kind, generous Morgan and felt very connected to him as I traveled with him to this distant, freezing cold place, watching him encounter several individuals that were evil opposites to his good nature take advantage of him, forever tainting his rosy view of love and life. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more of Scozarri’s work.
The story is fascinating on many accounts (spoiler alert). The author is very skilled at his craft. The descriptions of the Russian people, places and culture were amazing and the introspective discussions on relationships and love thought provoking. I was captivated by kind, generous Morgan and felt very connected to him as I traveled with him to this distant, freezing cold place, watching him encounter several individuals that were evil opposites to his good nature take advantage of him, forever tainting his rosy view of love and life. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more of Scozarri’s work.
October 23, 2015
Where do I start..this was such a lovely little love tale, or loveless tale depending on which way you look at things.
We follow Morgan in his search for love in Russia after failing to find the love he craves in America.
Morgan is the hapless romantic type.. truly believes in love and he wants to find it. Obviously things don’t always go his way and the author brings some depth to the character by showing Morgan struggling with his emotions and his changing views on love.
It’s a sweet story and Frank gives you some great insight into Russia also, I know next to nothing about the country so it was very interesting to read.
I won’t lie, the ending wasn’t what I expected and sort of left me feeling a little deflated. It wasn’t the wow factor finish I’d imagined but saying that it was a very good book and I’m glad I took the time to read it
Frank has a way with words; he manages to put humour and angst together so well. You want to laugh and cry at the same time.
If you’re a fan of the genre I’m sure you will love this
We follow Morgan in his search for love in Russia after failing to find the love he craves in America.
Morgan is the hapless romantic type.. truly believes in love and he wants to find it. Obviously things don’t always go his way and the author brings some depth to the character by showing Morgan struggling with his emotions and his changing views on love.
It’s a sweet story and Frank gives you some great insight into Russia also, I know next to nothing about the country so it was very interesting to read.
I won’t lie, the ending wasn’t what I expected and sort of left me feeling a little deflated. It wasn’t the wow factor finish I’d imagined but saying that it was a very good book and I’m glad I took the time to read it
Frank has a way with words; he manages to put humour and angst together so well. You want to laugh and cry at the same time.
If you’re a fan of the genre I’m sure you will love this
August 21, 2015
This book surprised me in a delightful way inasmuch as it was all about love without one single real physical connection happening between two people. Morgan reminded me so much of many people I have met and even myself at times in my life so it was so easy to relate to his relentless hope of finding that special someone. That electric wish to be in the full flush of new love that blinds us to so many things that are wrong.
The descriptive of Russia was a delight and I imagined myself walking down those streets, wanting to tap Morgan on the shoulder and introduce myself. I need to buy one of those hats before I get on a plane.
I was also expecting the usual ending (I won't spoil it) but suffice it to say that I loved the whole book, even the un-expected end as it leaves your imagination to complete it however you wish.
Well done Mr Scozzari, a beautiful and well written gem. Very much recommended.
The descriptive of Russia was a delight and I imagined myself walking down those streets, wanting to tap Morgan on the shoulder and introduce myself. I need to buy one of those hats before I get on a plane.
I was also expecting the usual ending (I won't spoil it) but suffice it to say that I loved the whole book, even the un-expected end as it leaves your imagination to complete it however you wish.
Well done Mr Scozzari, a beautiful and well written gem. Very much recommended.
June 21, 2015
Morgan Stanfield has been unlucky in love and this story is his journey in search of a love that he knows few ever find. Heading to Russia, Morgan is looking for his soul mate from an internet dating site. I won't tell you what he finds, but I will tell readers they will have a great time as they join Morgan. First of all I loved the character, Morgan is a romantic with some underlying depression and he touches your heart. Secondly the story is well told. The author did a great job making the reader feel like they too, walked through the streets of Russia. This is a great story that is well written and will stay with your heart and soul long after the last page has turned and the cover has closed.
October 22, 2015
This is the story of hopeless romantic, Morgan Stanfield, and his search for true love in Russia. I love the way Frank Scozzari brought the characters together. From Morgan's weekly pub friends in Santa Barbara CA to the Russian doorman in St. Petersburg. The characters are authentic and involving. While Morgan's trip to Russia turns into a comedy of errors and he leaves with a deep sense of loss, I was left with a feeling of hope. His friend Kim, back in Santa Barbara, is rooting for him to find love and not sex. I say he should explore his relationship with her. Sounds like she is as romantically inclined as he is. It would be fun for him to travel halfway around the world to find love exactly 2 centimeters away from him!
April 21, 2015
I received a copy of “From Afar” in exchange for an honest review, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Morgan Stanfield’s often emotional journey, later set in vivid detail in the streets of St. Petersburg, Russia, quickly captured my attention. And Mr. Scozzari’s wit and sarcasm had me laughing out loud. It was a quick, fun and thoroughly entertaining read. I highly recommend it!
July 11, 2015
`For all those lost to the light, and those who know they should be.'
Glance through California author Frank Scozzari's biographical data and the seeds of his fertile mind and imagination and poetic inclinations are evident. Born in New York, Frank soon after birth moved to California, graduated form Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and spent his young years on a trek through the world, gathering information and experiences across America, twice trekked the John Muir Trail, backpacked through Europe, camel-backed the ruins of Giza, jeep-trailed the length of the Baja peninsula three times, globe-trotted from China to the Pyrenees to the White Nights of northern Russia, and once climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro - the highest point in Africa - for his many writings. He has been a four-time Pushcart Prize nominee, and his award-winning short stories have appeared in numerous literary magazines including The Emerson Review, Berkeley Fiction Review, Tampa Review, War Literature & the Arts (U.S. Air Force Academy), Pacific Review, Eleven Eleven, The Bitter Oleander, South Dakota Review, Minetta Review (NYU), Hawaii Pacific Review, Ellipsis Magazine, The Nassau Review, The MacGuffin, Reed Magazine, The Broken Plate, Roanoke Review, and Short Story America, and have been featured in literary theater. Impressive, yes, but all that is simply background white noise when compared to the experience of reading Frank's work - this particular novel FROM AFAR being a prime example.
The novel is a memoir of a hopeless romantic's search for love in Russia. From the first few paragraphs we are offered a solid feeling of Frank's style: `The two skeletons lay face to face, their arms and legs intertwined. The bones, half exposed, had been carefully brushed clean, the lower portion of which remained embedded in the earth. The diggings had been roped-off and were framed in a rectangular trench meant to keep rainwater from draining into it. The caption read: `Eternal Love,' an archeological find in Italy believed to be 10,000 years old. It was a perfect encapsulation of love, I thought as I stared at the image on my computer screen. Love everlasting the way it was meant to be, although I couldn't help but let out a sarcastic chuckle in the same breath. It's a rare occurrence when two people love for an entire lifetime. Even rarer when they end up petrified together in an eternal love embrace. It seems to me the majority of relationships end up in failure. Of all the thousands of skeletons found in all the thousands of archeological digs, how many have they really found like this? Not too many. Still, the imagery was artistic and romantic, and it made me want to try again. I pulled the keyboard close to my chest. The huge task ahead was a bit daunting. Truth is, the number of dating sites out there is a bit mind boggling. There's eHarmony, for those who want to be matched by common personality traits; Match.com, for those who want the largest selection; Click & Flirt, for those who just want to play around; Plenty of Fish, for those who don't give a damn; and Under Thirty, Over Thirty, etcetera, etcetera. They even have one called Farmers Only. That one really got me. I guess coming from a city, I need not apply.'
There is the style, and the author offers his synopsis: `For centuries, poets have argued that unrequited love is love in its strongest form. FROM AFAR is a timeless tale of Morgan Stanfield's search for love in the far northern city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Leaving the warm climate of Santa Barbara, he embarks on a four-day odyssey where he encounters a Russian beauty, a prostitute, a wise old babushka, an American chauvinist, intellectuals, the Russian mafia, and the `face' of love, and comes to know how love from a distance can be more captivating than love close on hand.'
Prediction: with this novel Frank Scozzari will become planted in the field of important American authors of the day. He writes with infectious energy, humor, angst, and sensitivity and teaches us more about love than most authors attempt in a lifetime. Highly Recommended.
Glance through California author Frank Scozzari's biographical data and the seeds of his fertile mind and imagination and poetic inclinations are evident. Born in New York, Frank soon after birth moved to California, graduated form Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and spent his young years on a trek through the world, gathering information and experiences across America, twice trekked the John Muir Trail, backpacked through Europe, camel-backed the ruins of Giza, jeep-trailed the length of the Baja peninsula three times, globe-trotted from China to the Pyrenees to the White Nights of northern Russia, and once climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro - the highest point in Africa - for his many writings. He has been a four-time Pushcart Prize nominee, and his award-winning short stories have appeared in numerous literary magazines including The Emerson Review, Berkeley Fiction Review, Tampa Review, War Literature & the Arts (U.S. Air Force Academy), Pacific Review, Eleven Eleven, The Bitter Oleander, South Dakota Review, Minetta Review (NYU), Hawaii Pacific Review, Ellipsis Magazine, The Nassau Review, The MacGuffin, Reed Magazine, The Broken Plate, Roanoke Review, and Short Story America, and have been featured in literary theater. Impressive, yes, but all that is simply background white noise when compared to the experience of reading Frank's work - this particular novel FROM AFAR being a prime example.
The novel is a memoir of a hopeless romantic's search for love in Russia. From the first few paragraphs we are offered a solid feeling of Frank's style: `The two skeletons lay face to face, their arms and legs intertwined. The bones, half exposed, had been carefully brushed clean, the lower portion of which remained embedded in the earth. The diggings had been roped-off and were framed in a rectangular trench meant to keep rainwater from draining into it. The caption read: `Eternal Love,' an archeological find in Italy believed to be 10,000 years old. It was a perfect encapsulation of love, I thought as I stared at the image on my computer screen. Love everlasting the way it was meant to be, although I couldn't help but let out a sarcastic chuckle in the same breath. It's a rare occurrence when two people love for an entire lifetime. Even rarer when they end up petrified together in an eternal love embrace. It seems to me the majority of relationships end up in failure. Of all the thousands of skeletons found in all the thousands of archeological digs, how many have they really found like this? Not too many. Still, the imagery was artistic and romantic, and it made me want to try again. I pulled the keyboard close to my chest. The huge task ahead was a bit daunting. Truth is, the number of dating sites out there is a bit mind boggling. There's eHarmony, for those who want to be matched by common personality traits; Match.com, for those who want the largest selection; Click & Flirt, for those who just want to play around; Plenty of Fish, for those who don't give a damn; and Under Thirty, Over Thirty, etcetera, etcetera. They even have one called Farmers Only. That one really got me. I guess coming from a city, I need not apply.'
There is the style, and the author offers his synopsis: `For centuries, poets have argued that unrequited love is love in its strongest form. FROM AFAR is a timeless tale of Morgan Stanfield's search for love in the far northern city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Leaving the warm climate of Santa Barbara, he embarks on a four-day odyssey where he encounters a Russian beauty, a prostitute, a wise old babushka, an American chauvinist, intellectuals, the Russian mafia, and the `face' of love, and comes to know how love from a distance can be more captivating than love close on hand.'
Prediction: with this novel Frank Scozzari will become planted in the field of important American authors of the day. He writes with infectious energy, humor, angst, and sensitivity and teaches us more about love than most authors attempt in a lifetime. Highly Recommended.
May 8, 2015
The search for love is the eternal struggle that has plagued the world for generations. From Afar by Frank Scozzari takes a look at the modern day search for love with online dating sites and international searches.
The story opens with a man, Morgan, who is looking for love. He has tried all the dating sites and on a whim, he tries a Russian bride site. He finds Natasha and “falls in love” and when he contacts her, she politely declines because she has already found someone. He then finds someone else and is determined to go to Russia and meet her. All his friends thinks he’s crazy and warn him about the dangers and scams that these sites can hide but he is determined to find love, even if he has to travel thousands of miles. When he arrives in Russia, nothing is to his expectations. He learns that foreigners get charged one price while locals get charged another. He travels around the city of Moscow and learns about the beautiful and tragic history of the Russian people. He meets Anastasia, who is only after his money, thinking that all Americans are rich like on TV. He becomes discouraged until he meets an older married couple who like to discuss the works of Alexander Pushkin who discusses the eternal struggle of love. Will Morgan ever find love?
I enjoyed this book immensely. I enjoyed the setting and the contradiction that is Russia. As the author puts it: a conundrum of love and war, friendly and unfriendly, warm and cold, laughter and tears, the hero and the villain. I enjoyed that this story wasn’t a typical romance story where man travels of miles, falls in love and they live happily after. From Afar leaves the audience with thought provoking ideas about love and how the world sees love. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a great and atypical love story.
The story opens with a man, Morgan, who is looking for love. He has tried all the dating sites and on a whim, he tries a Russian bride site. He finds Natasha and “falls in love” and when he contacts her, she politely declines because she has already found someone. He then finds someone else and is determined to go to Russia and meet her. All his friends thinks he’s crazy and warn him about the dangers and scams that these sites can hide but he is determined to find love, even if he has to travel thousands of miles. When he arrives in Russia, nothing is to his expectations. He learns that foreigners get charged one price while locals get charged another. He travels around the city of Moscow and learns about the beautiful and tragic history of the Russian people. He meets Anastasia, who is only after his money, thinking that all Americans are rich like on TV. He becomes discouraged until he meets an older married couple who like to discuss the works of Alexander Pushkin who discusses the eternal struggle of love. Will Morgan ever find love?
I enjoyed this book immensely. I enjoyed the setting and the contradiction that is Russia. As the author puts it: a conundrum of love and war, friendly and unfriendly, warm and cold, laughter and tears, the hero and the villain. I enjoyed that this story wasn’t a typical romance story where man travels of miles, falls in love and they live happily after. From Afar leaves the audience with thought provoking ideas about love and how the world sees love. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a great and atypical love story.
September 30, 2015
Morgan is searching for love and feels he'll only find it in a Russian woman. He's in his thirties, a California man desperate to find true love, but he is set on certain ideals. The book is well written and easy to read, in a conversational tone. The author has a style all his own which makes the memoir a worthy read and memorable. From his poetic beginning to the last when he discovers his own truth, it's a book a reader will enjoy. He flew to Russia for to find true love. Will he come back with it? My favorite line in the book is, "It's too bad we can't choose who we love." Insightful. Brings us to that age-old question is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all? To know love and lose it, is it worth it? From the opening in the digs where two skeletons are found in an unusual position to the last pages when the plane leaves the Russian runway, the book is thought-provoking and insightful and leaves the reader to ponder and discover his own truth. Sometimes we must lose ideals to find true, lasting love, but can Morgan give up his? Brings me to mind of an old country song about the man's baby being made in the USA. Makes me wonder if Morgan couldn't have pursued a different part of it rather than California? The USA is a multicolored patchwork quilt, offering a gumbo of women of different cultures, as different as night and day. All women in the USA are not like California ones. Morgan has a friend he talks with named Kim, who offers him guidance and act like a mom to him, though a young one, but will her guidance be enough to help him find that true, lasting love he's searching for? Is it out there? Is it in Russia as his mind is set on, or could it possibly be in a place he never thought to look? They say don't search for love; it will find you. Really enjoyed this journey through Morgan's mind.
October 7, 2015
From the onset, this book grabbed my attention. The main character is a likeable character, which for me, is important in a story. While Morgan is not the sharpest guy, he is easy to sympathize with during his quest to find the love of his life. After the failure of a 7 year long relationship, he turns his attention to Russia and its intriguing women. Here, the struggles continue, as his naïve nature makes him a prime target for the dishonest. Morgan is taken for some cash early on, but instead of giving up, he continues, going so far as to fly to Russia to meet a woman whom he has corresponded with a few times. This meeting does not go well, either, and the situation becomes rather laughable. Still, you never feel sorry for Morgan for long as I wanted to see what trap he fell for next.
I won't give anything away, but this story is a well-written romantic escapade with ups and downs and an overall positive message. If it were turned into a film, I think it could be compared to "Lost in Translation", only with a more upbeat main character.
This book does suffer a bit from poor editing. There are several misuses of words that should have been caught, like "loose" instead of "lose" and "split" instead of "spilt", that sort of thing. Punctuation was off a bit, too (case in point, commas before 'too' in my usage here are not found). However, none of this took away from the meat of the story. I believe it to be wonderfully thought out and well constructed. The errors may well be lost on many who read for speed. As an editor, they hit me like little speed bumps.
I give this 4 1/2 stars in reference to the editing. Still, a very enjoyable, solidly entertaining read. :)
I won't give anything away, but this story is a well-written romantic escapade with ups and downs and an overall positive message. If it were turned into a film, I think it could be compared to "Lost in Translation", only with a more upbeat main character.
This book does suffer a bit from poor editing. There are several misuses of words that should have been caught, like "loose" instead of "lose" and "split" instead of "spilt", that sort of thing. Punctuation was off a bit, too (case in point, commas before 'too' in my usage here are not found). However, none of this took away from the meat of the story. I believe it to be wonderfully thought out and well constructed. The errors may well be lost on many who read for speed. As an editor, they hit me like little speed bumps.
I give this 4 1/2 stars in reference to the editing. Still, a very enjoyable, solidly entertaining read. :)
August 25, 2015
Amid the paradoxical scenery of St. Petersburg, Russia, author Frank Scozzari weaves a realistic look at the intricacies of love and the toss of the dice that is finding love and falling in love.
In spite of rolling snake eyes consistently in the game of love, Morgan Stanfield is an incurable romantic, an optimist who holds out hope that love can be found. Having made the rounds of all the online American dating services, Morgan takes his search for love global and ends up pursuing the idea of love amid the frozen Russian landscape. Betrayed, tricked, taunted, and returning as alone as he began, Stanfield nevertheless finds beauty in the journey, richness in Russia’s heritage, and the sobering realization that love is worth the risk.
Scozzari has an often whimsical, if cynical way of looking at life and love; yet his metaphors weave a rich tapestry of cold and warmth, hope and disappointment with familiar, yet larger than life characters from the worn and ragged elderly babushka to the philosophical professor of literature. In From Afar, Scozzari takes readers on a rollercoaster ride to explore the rituals of love and the innate yearning of humans to love and be loved.
From Afar is not the usual romance novel, yet it is a fine piece of poetical prose revealing the complexities trying to find love with likeable characters and a style that hooked me from the first page.
In spite of rolling snake eyes consistently in the game of love, Morgan Stanfield is an incurable romantic, an optimist who holds out hope that love can be found. Having made the rounds of all the online American dating services, Morgan takes his search for love global and ends up pursuing the idea of love amid the frozen Russian landscape. Betrayed, tricked, taunted, and returning as alone as he began, Stanfield nevertheless finds beauty in the journey, richness in Russia’s heritage, and the sobering realization that love is worth the risk.
Scozzari has an often whimsical, if cynical way of looking at life and love; yet his metaphors weave a rich tapestry of cold and warmth, hope and disappointment with familiar, yet larger than life characters from the worn and ragged elderly babushka to the philosophical professor of literature. In From Afar, Scozzari takes readers on a rollercoaster ride to explore the rituals of love and the innate yearning of humans to love and be loved.
From Afar is not the usual romance novel, yet it is a fine piece of poetical prose revealing the complexities trying to find love with likeable characters and a style that hooked me from the first page.
October 2, 2015
Frank Scozzari has the gift all the best novelists have. He can take the most mundane, everyday facts of our lives and use them as a base for the most profound examinations of those lives. Jane Austen had this gift, and William Dean Howells had it, and most recently the great British novelist David Lodge had it. And now Frank Scorrizzi is showing us in his novel From Afar that he has it, in spades.
Scozzari’s comic novel is about Morgan Stanfield, a not-so-young man who is so naïve about love and how it works in the world that he readily believes that one can find true and complete and eternal love with a Russian beauty by means of online dating. This belief leads him from sunny California to frozen Russia.
The remarkable thing about Scozzari’s novel is that his portrayal of Morgan and his naïve quest for true love in St. Petersburg had me cheering Morgan on all the time I was shaking my head at his overwhelming and unbelievable innocence. Like Tommy Wilhelm in Saul Bellow’s great novel Seize the Day, Morgan Stanfield is a fool, but one that we feel for because his foolishness is the foolishness all men share.
Let me also say that Scozzari really seems to have done his homework when it comes to internet dating and St. Petersburg, Russia. Half of the fun of reading the novel was finding out about the intricacies of the former and feeling the cold winter’s blast of the latter.
This is a novel I will definitely recommend to my friends.
Scozzari’s comic novel is about Morgan Stanfield, a not-so-young man who is so naïve about love and how it works in the world that he readily believes that one can find true and complete and eternal love with a Russian beauty by means of online dating. This belief leads him from sunny California to frozen Russia.
The remarkable thing about Scozzari’s novel is that his portrayal of Morgan and his naïve quest for true love in St. Petersburg had me cheering Morgan on all the time I was shaking my head at his overwhelming and unbelievable innocence. Like Tommy Wilhelm in Saul Bellow’s great novel Seize the Day, Morgan Stanfield is a fool, but one that we feel for because his foolishness is the foolishness all men share.
Let me also say that Scozzari really seems to have done his homework when it comes to internet dating and St. Petersburg, Russia. Half of the fun of reading the novel was finding out about the intricacies of the former and feeling the cold winter’s blast of the latter.
This is a novel I will definitely recommend to my friends.
September 21, 2015
I enjoyed "From Afar: A Memoir." In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I wasn't able to put it down. It was a page turner from beginning to end. Mr. Scozzari is an extremely talented writer- I'll even go so far as to say, gifted, and I predict we'll be hearing more about him and his stories in the days to come. "From Afar: A Memoir" is an entertaining story about a young man looking for love in all the wrong places. It's at times humorous, philosophical, and thoughtful. You can't help getting caught up in it. It's a tale of reality verses romanticism. What could be, in contrast to what life actually has in story. It's a commentary on our times, and especially our views on love. But, it's also something else. A great adventure where Mr. Scozzari takes his readers into Russia, and introduces the people, the customs, cultures, history, and sights. I've never been to Russia, but his prose certainly left me feeling like I've been there. Along the way he introduces the readers to many interesting characters- some nice, some not so nice. "From Afar: A Memoir" is a story that will not fade from my conscience. In many instances I felt a bond to the protagonist. There's a romantic in us all, and Mr. Scozzari brought it out of this reader. I was rooting all the way for his protagonist's success! I highly recommend this book. It's a gem that shouldn't be missed. A jewel worthy of Catherine the Great herself.
August 6, 2015
Wow! This is a beautifully written, emotionally investing story and honestly, I felt myself sad to see it end. It was one of those stories I wasn't ready to let go of.
From Afar is the story of a man named Morgan, who searches desperately for love. He's willing to do anything to find it and even resorts to online dating and Russian bride sites. His search for the one takes him across the world, and we get to go along with him on his journey to meet a woman in Russia. He is a lonely man, desperately searching for someone and a naive traveller in a foreign country. But he's such a good man and so deserving of love that I couldn't help feeling nervous for him!
Morgan's journey is less about love and more about finding himself, which is what I enjoyed most about the book. The story as a whole was thought-provoking and meaty; the author did a fantastic job of sucking the reader into Morgan's world and making us fall in love with his character.
The author's writing style is vivid and emotionally charged. My heart ached for Morgan. I love when a story takes me to a setting I've never been to before, and the writing keeps me so engrossed and is so surreal, that I feel like I'm experiencing it firsthand with the main character.
Well done! I would love to read more from this author!
From Afar is the story of a man named Morgan, who searches desperately for love. He's willing to do anything to find it and even resorts to online dating and Russian bride sites. His search for the one takes him across the world, and we get to go along with him on his journey to meet a woman in Russia. He is a lonely man, desperately searching for someone and a naive traveller in a foreign country. But he's such a good man and so deserving of love that I couldn't help feeling nervous for him!
Morgan's journey is less about love and more about finding himself, which is what I enjoyed most about the book. The story as a whole was thought-provoking and meaty; the author did a fantastic job of sucking the reader into Morgan's world and making us fall in love with his character.
The author's writing style is vivid and emotionally charged. My heart ached for Morgan. I love when a story takes me to a setting I've never been to before, and the writing keeps me so engrossed and is so surreal, that I feel like I'm experiencing it firsthand with the main character.
Well done! I would love to read more from this author!
October 1, 2015
"Love is the ultimate tragedy, I thought." A sentence taken From Afar. ~WOW ~ What a tale of desiring an everlasting love.
The main character, Morgan had a seven year relationship that fizzled, and now in his mid-thirties, he desperately sought love. He decides to search in the foreign land of Russia. The author, Frank Scozzari takes the reader on a virtual tour of the magnificent Russia. Either Mr. Scozzari had researched the area to perfection or he visited Russia. His descriptions are very intricate, intriguing, and interesting.
I really liked Morgan, but I groaned several times at his gullible nature when it came to women. I wanted to shake him, much like his friend Kim. He is a melancholy soul that seemed to get played at every angle and turn. What irked me, he seemed okay with it. Well, not entirely okay, but it sunk him into a further depressive state. I believe when the Russian Mafia came into the picture, Morgan finally got a backbone, but, who can fight the mafia?
I never leave spoilers, so you'll have to read From Afar to find out if Morgan finds his everlasting love.
The main character, Morgan had a seven year relationship that fizzled, and now in his mid-thirties, he desperately sought love. He decides to search in the foreign land of Russia. The author, Frank Scozzari takes the reader on a virtual tour of the magnificent Russia. Either Mr. Scozzari had researched the area to perfection or he visited Russia. His descriptions are very intricate, intriguing, and interesting.
I really liked Morgan, but I groaned several times at his gullible nature when it came to women. I wanted to shake him, much like his friend Kim. He is a melancholy soul that seemed to get played at every angle and turn. What irked me, he seemed okay with it. Well, not entirely okay, but it sunk him into a further depressive state. I believe when the Russian Mafia came into the picture, Morgan finally got a backbone, but, who can fight the mafia?
I never leave spoilers, so you'll have to read From Afar to find out if Morgan finds his everlasting love.
September 8, 2015
From Afar starts out reading like chick lit for men—fun, funny and lighthearted. The serious side sneaks up on the reader as you begin to realize how profound the hero’s wry observations about love really are—and how eye-opening his experiences with the electronic dating world. And then Morgan sets out for Russia and the novel takes on aspects of a thoroughly engaging travelogue. I love writers whose powers of description can put me in the scene of the action so I can experience the whole adventure with the hero. Frank Scozzari is one of those writers. After reading From Afar I feel I’ve been to Russia and experienced the best and the worst of its people and culture. Finally, there’s the coming of age aspect to the story—always one of my favorite literary genres. Granted, Morgan is a bit old to be coming of age, but in any novel—and especially a quest, which From Afar is—the hero needs to grow and experience some enobling. Morgan does this in spades. I fervently wish him and his creator the very best.
October 16, 2015
Who knew that men suffered the same anxiety and anguish as women over finding someone with whom to share their lives?
Frank Scozzari holds nothing back in this exploration of Morgan Stanfield, a 38 year old who is becoming increasingly desperate in his search for love.
Told in first person by the main character, we get right inside his head with a panoramic window to his world. We meet him as he scours dating sites, having turned to them after a seven-year relationship ends when the woman decides it’s going nowhere and calls it quits.
The story is cleverly told. The anxiety permeating throughout is obvious but the anguish is subtle. Scozzari infuses his character with a mix of self-deprecation, dark wit, spurts of great optimism dashed down with cynicism, well-meaning advice, mirth and derision, as well as the cruelty of others.
The location and scenic descriptions of St Petersburg are intimate and brought to life.
This is a book I’m still thinking about several days after I finished it.
Clever, subtle, powerfully intimate.
Frank Scozzari holds nothing back in this exploration of Morgan Stanfield, a 38 year old who is becoming increasingly desperate in his search for love.
Told in first person by the main character, we get right inside his head with a panoramic window to his world. We meet him as he scours dating sites, having turned to them after a seven-year relationship ends when the woman decides it’s going nowhere and calls it quits.
The story is cleverly told. The anxiety permeating throughout is obvious but the anguish is subtle. Scozzari infuses his character with a mix of self-deprecation, dark wit, spurts of great optimism dashed down with cynicism, well-meaning advice, mirth and derision, as well as the cruelty of others.
The location and scenic descriptions of St Petersburg are intimate and brought to life.
This is a book I’m still thinking about several days after I finished it.
Clever, subtle, powerfully intimate.
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