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Journey to the West Valley Wall
Science fiction writer Jack Van Horne has been struggling with an increasing case of Agoraphobia for about the past ten years. This mental affliction leaves him powerless to leave his current surroundings of the street his apartment is situated. His doctor has tried many types of medication with zero effect to break him from his self-imposed prison. The impact of his mental illness prevents Jack from finishing the final book of his space fantasy series which has increased the psychological strain on his well being. Jack’s editor believes he is just suffering from writer’s block. However, Jack knows that he isn’t well and that people are dismissing his mental illness as a genuine illness. When Jack is tasked with watching his niece for two days out of the sanctity of his safe zone surroundings, his journey begins to the West Valley Wall. In Jack’s mind, this adventure will either aid in his sanity or cement his demise.
- GenresNonfiction
270 pages, ebook
Published June 1, 2018
2 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 17, 2019
This is a slightly puzzling book because it is not entirely clear what it is about. It is written in the first person and follows Jack van Horne, who has written two science fiction novels, is contracted for a third, and after five years has yet to put pen to paper, seemingly as a consquence of agoraphobia. The book starts with a fairly prolonged illustration of Jack's symptoms, and at the start Jack seems to be whining that people want the third book when he killed off the main character in book 2 and hardly anyone is reading them anyway. Later we find he is actually a best selling author. The plot is reasonably simple but I won't spoil, other than to say eventually Jack starts writing again, and it is also expected to be a best seller. In my opinion, this writing (in italics to be clearly the new work) is rather mediocre, which rises the question, is the author pouring borax over "best-sellers"?
The character of Jack is very well drawn, and as far as I can tell, the agoraphobia is well described. His sister, a rather minor character, and her daughter are both well drawn. The writing is clear and is easy to read (leaving aside the italicised bits). However, consistency is a bit of a problem. One example: Jack drives an ancient Mustang that barely keeps going. At the start we feel it is all he can afford, but at the end he knows he should have money. As for the SF story, I found myself shaking my head at it. Now this my be deliberate on the part of the author, but it would still have been helpful to get some of the science right. An example: they land on an asteroid that is spinning rapidly so the gravity is increased. Nope. Spinning only works if you are inside. On the outside you get thrown off. The writing of the agoraphobia is well worth the read, the SF part is not, but fortunately that is short. An author writing about the travails of an author also runs the risk of tending towards a whine, but fortunately the second half of the book cancels that.
The character of Jack is very well drawn, and as far as I can tell, the agoraphobia is well described. His sister, a rather minor character, and her daughter are both well drawn. The writing is clear and is easy to read (leaving aside the italicised bits). However, consistency is a bit of a problem. One example: Jack drives an ancient Mustang that barely keeps going. At the start we feel it is all he can afford, but at the end he knows he should have money. As for the SF story, I found myself shaking my head at it. Now this my be deliberate on the part of the author, but it would still have been helpful to get some of the science right. An example: they land on an asteroid that is spinning rapidly so the gravity is increased. Nope. Spinning only works if you are inside. On the outside you get thrown off. The writing of the agoraphobia is well worth the read, the SF part is not, but fortunately that is short. An author writing about the travails of an author also runs the risk of tending towards a whine, but fortunately the second half of the book cancels that.
January 21, 2019
Journey to the West Valley Wall by Mark L. Lloyd tells the story of an agoraphobic science fiction writer who is unable to leave his home, most of the time. Except for trips to the doctor, and the local coffee shop, Jack Van Horne never leaves his home. His roommate Shelly, a friend from high school lives with Jack, and goes along with his illness as she battles her own insecurities due to a slight weight problem. Things change for this duo however, when Jack's sister asks that he watch his niece for a couple of days. The journey in the car to his sister's house is not without its challenges for Jack, and as things progress, he doesn't know if he will survive the trip itself, let alone being able to watch his niece. This tale is a realistically portrayed depiction of someone who suffers from a difficult condition, and how with time, just maybe, Jack can overcome. Kind of a sad story, but hopeful as well, this book is highly recommended for an interesting read.
February 21, 2019
My vocabulary is not very good, so the first thing that I did on reading the book was finding the meaning of Agoraphobia. I came to know that it is an anxiety disorder where a person feels his or her immediate surrounding to be unsafe and threatening. Our hero suffers from this problem and so is confined to his place. Even a short trip to his sister's house looks like a big chore to him so that he wants to shy away from it. The story is basically centered around few days' events that see many incidents and accidents. I liked many things about the story such as a platonic relationship between two great friends of the opposite genders, a responsible twelve years old who cleans after her mother, and a woman who likes to keep herself in ponytails and pigtails and does not hesitate in manhandling a man if it is for his benefit. The book is light-hearted and an easy ready.
January 21, 2019
‘I’m not perfect and probably never will be’
British Columbia author Mark L. Lloyd has published two novels to date – BURNING THE LAST BRIDGE and JOURNEY TO THE WEST VALLEY WALL – both novels set in British Columbia. Mark has a fine grasp of altered mental states – neuroses – and uses this perception to enhance the characters of his stories.
Mark’s writing style is fluid and elegant and he is able to set a mood in his Prologue better than many more seasoned writers: ‘I reach up to touch my forehead after smacking it hard on top of the steering wheel. My eyes remain closed as I move my right hand up to touch my face, but I’m hampered by something preventing me from lifting my arm. The pain in my right leg is intensifying form the agony of a burning sensation. Still, half unconscious, I try raising my left arm up, but it too is snagged by the same type of restriction as my other arm. “Wake up. Wakeup. You need to get out of your car!” I yell at myself, fearing no one is coming to my aid. “Come on. Come o, “ I continue to say trying to motivate myself to move or at least gain full consciousness… ”the car is on fire; you must try to get out, I continue to press into my head.’…..and this is all a story for a book the main character is creating.
The plot synopsis explains or main characters predicament – ‘Journey to the West Valley Wall is a fictional story about a science fiction writer Jack Van Horne who has been struggling with an increasing case of Agoraphobia for about the past ten years. This mental affliction leaves him powerless to leave his current surroundings of the street his apartment is situated. Jack has only enough strength to go visit his doctor at one end of his road to the coffee shop located at the other end. Everything from groceries to clothing he buys online or has his roommate Shelly fetch for him. His doctor has tried many types of medication with zero effect to break him from his self-imposed prison. The impact of his mental illness also prevents him from finishing the final book of his space fantasy series which has also increased the psychological strain on his well being. Jack’s editor and a friend believe Jack is just suffering from writer’s block; however, Jack knows that he indeed isn’t well and that people are dismissing his mental illness as a genuine illness. When Jack is tasked with watching his niece for two days out of the sanctity of his safe zone surroundings, his journey begins to the West Valley Wall which this adventure will either aid in his sanity or cement his demise’
A fine combination of adventure, psychodrama, and thriller penned by a man with an obvious gift. He appears ready to step into the realm of favored natural story weavers!
British Columbia author Mark L. Lloyd has published two novels to date – BURNING THE LAST BRIDGE and JOURNEY TO THE WEST VALLEY WALL – both novels set in British Columbia. Mark has a fine grasp of altered mental states – neuroses – and uses this perception to enhance the characters of his stories.
Mark’s writing style is fluid and elegant and he is able to set a mood in his Prologue better than many more seasoned writers: ‘I reach up to touch my forehead after smacking it hard on top of the steering wheel. My eyes remain closed as I move my right hand up to touch my face, but I’m hampered by something preventing me from lifting my arm. The pain in my right leg is intensifying form the agony of a burning sensation. Still, half unconscious, I try raising my left arm up, but it too is snagged by the same type of restriction as my other arm. “Wake up. Wakeup. You need to get out of your car!” I yell at myself, fearing no one is coming to my aid. “Come on. Come o, “ I continue to say trying to motivate myself to move or at least gain full consciousness… ”the car is on fire; you must try to get out, I continue to press into my head.’…..and this is all a story for a book the main character is creating.
The plot synopsis explains or main characters predicament – ‘Journey to the West Valley Wall is a fictional story about a science fiction writer Jack Van Horne who has been struggling with an increasing case of Agoraphobia for about the past ten years. This mental affliction leaves him powerless to leave his current surroundings of the street his apartment is situated. Jack has only enough strength to go visit his doctor at one end of his road to the coffee shop located at the other end. Everything from groceries to clothing he buys online or has his roommate Shelly fetch for him. His doctor has tried many types of medication with zero effect to break him from his self-imposed prison. The impact of his mental illness also prevents him from finishing the final book of his space fantasy series which has also increased the psychological strain on his well being. Jack’s editor and a friend believe Jack is just suffering from writer’s block; however, Jack knows that he indeed isn’t well and that people are dismissing his mental illness as a genuine illness. When Jack is tasked with watching his niece for two days out of the sanctity of his safe zone surroundings, his journey begins to the West Valley Wall which this adventure will either aid in his sanity or cement his demise’
A fine combination of adventure, psychodrama, and thriller penned by a man with an obvious gift. He appears ready to step into the realm of favored natural story weavers!
February 8, 2019
Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman
In Journey to the West Valley Wall, author Mark L Lloyd has cleverly combined two stories into one novel. Jack Van Horne is a successful Science Fiction writer. Both his first two books based around the character of Sage Sauer’s space adventures have been best-sellers with both novels being made into blockbuster feature films. Despite his success, Jack is wracked with self-doubt and the crippling effects of agoraphobia and fandom pressures. He rarely leaves his apartment these days and is unable to write the much anticipated final book in the Sage Sauer series. Crippled by fear and uncertainty, Jack finally experiences an epiphany when he is forced, by circumstances, to run for his life, along with his twelve-year-old niece as they try to escape a raging forest fire. We follow the trials and angst of Jack, in his crawl back to something resembling normality, as well as those of his space hero Sage Sauer, as the third book begins to come together.
I thought the premise of two stories into one, in Journey to the West Wall, was a clever technique employed by author Mark L Lloyd and he made it work extremely well. The character of Jack Van Horne was eerily identifiable by fellow authors who have all gone through those mental demons, although not as badly as Jack, usually. He was a character that evoked extreme emotion in the reader, ranging from deep sympathy and sorrow, right through to intense anger at the man’s stupidity and inability to cope, at times and yet always tempered by a feeling of sadness that despite his clear brilliance he must suffer so much. I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Jack and his niece. The parallel story of Sage Sauer was equally compelling, especially for Science Fiction fans. The journal of his adventures left the reader wanting to know more about the character and the processes by which humans had survived or modified in the world of Sauer. It left questions in the readers’ minds and that’s a great thing to achieve. This is an excellent story and one I can highly recommend.
In Journey to the West Valley Wall, author Mark L Lloyd has cleverly combined two stories into one novel. Jack Van Horne is a successful Science Fiction writer. Both his first two books based around the character of Sage Sauer’s space adventures have been best-sellers with both novels being made into blockbuster feature films. Despite his success, Jack is wracked with self-doubt and the crippling effects of agoraphobia and fandom pressures. He rarely leaves his apartment these days and is unable to write the much anticipated final book in the Sage Sauer series. Crippled by fear and uncertainty, Jack finally experiences an epiphany when he is forced, by circumstances, to run for his life, along with his twelve-year-old niece as they try to escape a raging forest fire. We follow the trials and angst of Jack, in his crawl back to something resembling normality, as well as those of his space hero Sage Sauer, as the third book begins to come together.
I thought the premise of two stories into one, in Journey to the West Wall, was a clever technique employed by author Mark L Lloyd and he made it work extremely well. The character of Jack Van Horne was eerily identifiable by fellow authors who have all gone through those mental demons, although not as badly as Jack, usually. He was a character that evoked extreme emotion in the reader, ranging from deep sympathy and sorrow, right through to intense anger at the man’s stupidity and inability to cope, at times and yet always tempered by a feeling of sadness that despite his clear brilliance he must suffer so much. I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Jack and his niece. The parallel story of Sage Sauer was equally compelling, especially for Science Fiction fans. The journal of his adventures left the reader wanting to know more about the character and the processes by which humans had survived or modified in the world of Sauer. It left questions in the readers’ minds and that’s a great thing to achieve. This is an excellent story and one I can highly recommend.
March 22, 2019
I received this eBook for free through a Goodreads Giveaway and will admit that I wasn't sure if I would like it or not. Reading the Book Description provided me with very little insight, but I was intrigued, so I entered. I will say that I am very happy that I won this novel, as I really enjoyed it. I am going to keep my review brief, as I truly don't want to give too much away, as I feel a person should really try reading it.
Mark L. Lloyd tells us the story of a very successful sci-fi writer, Jack Van Horne, who is unable to leave his home, except for trips to the doctor, etc, in a decade due to Agoraphobia. His roommate (Shelly) is his best friend from high school and she has her own personal battles. Jack is asked to watch his niece for a weekend, at his sister's house, while she is out of town. The novel takes us on Jack's journey as he learns to live with the disorder that has plagued him for so long, thanks to events that occur to him while he is watching his niece.
While we are reading Jack's story, we are treated to a novel inside a novel, as Jack is writing the 3rd novel for his sci-fi series. The Agoraphobia has hindered Jack's ability to write said novel, but events open his mind and allow creativity to flow.
I really enjoyed the tying together of Jack's story to his sci-fi story at the end. I also feel like the novel does a very good job of discussing mental health, the battle a person may wage with his or her self, how this may affect many aspects of their life (family, friends, social,etc), and how they can move forward. with some help and personal strength. It never acts like Jack is "cured" because he mentions that he still battles it, but finds ways to overcome it. I appreciate this, because I get disappointed & frustrated when a book "magically cures" a person's mental health disorder.
Overall, I highly recommend this book.
Mark L. Lloyd tells us the story of a very successful sci-fi writer, Jack Van Horne, who is unable to leave his home, except for trips to the doctor, etc, in a decade due to Agoraphobia. His roommate (Shelly) is his best friend from high school and she has her own personal battles. Jack is asked to watch his niece for a weekend, at his sister's house, while she is out of town. The novel takes us on Jack's journey as he learns to live with the disorder that has plagued him for so long, thanks to events that occur to him while he is watching his niece.
While we are reading Jack's story, we are treated to a novel inside a novel, as Jack is writing the 3rd novel for his sci-fi series. The Agoraphobia has hindered Jack's ability to write said novel, but events open his mind and allow creativity to flow.
I really enjoyed the tying together of Jack's story to his sci-fi story at the end. I also feel like the novel does a very good job of discussing mental health, the battle a person may wage with his or her self, how this may affect many aspects of their life (family, friends, social,etc), and how they can move forward. with some help and personal strength. It never acts like Jack is "cured" because he mentions that he still battles it, but finds ways to overcome it. I appreciate this, because I get disappointed & frustrated when a book "magically cures" a person's mental health disorder.
Overall, I highly recommend this book.
March 14, 2019
Living Life in 2 Days
Journey to the West Valley Wall by Mark L. Lloyd is a unique narrative regarding a successful author who has provided to his fans two popular science fiction books and subsequent blockbuster movie released through Hollywood.
However, for the third book, as required through his writing contract, he is experiencing writer's block due to his being enslaved by a fear of crowds or being in restricted public places. This condition of agoraphobia has not only negatively impacted his professional writing career, but all of his relationships. Those personal interactions include his best friend Shelly, a female roommate, his editor, Eddy, his sister Michelle and his sweet 12 year-old niece by the name of Tessa.
Fortunately, a wild fire experienced by himself and his neice, while housesitting for his sister, changes the course of Jack's life. This raging fire figuratively "thaws" the grips that this mental condition has had over him leading to a restoration in relationships.
The uniqueness of this novel also lies in the narrative as the reader is able to "look over the shoulder" of the main character as he continues penning his third book starring Sage Sauer. This provides a novel within a novel approach as we see the additional story come to life as Jack continues the third book in his trilogy.
Journey to the West Valley Wall by Mark L. Lloyd is a cleverly written and entertaining read. It is also an inspirational story of overcoming challenging conditions in our lives, trusting our friends and allowing life and life situations to work to our benefit.
Journey to the West Valley Wall is a good to excellent read and is sure to entertain the reader with its well developed story line and a very unusual and surprise ending.
Journey to the West Valley Wall by Mark L. Lloyd is a unique narrative regarding a successful author who has provided to his fans two popular science fiction books and subsequent blockbuster movie released through Hollywood.
However, for the third book, as required through his writing contract, he is experiencing writer's block due to his being enslaved by a fear of crowds or being in restricted public places. This condition of agoraphobia has not only negatively impacted his professional writing career, but all of his relationships. Those personal interactions include his best friend Shelly, a female roommate, his editor, Eddy, his sister Michelle and his sweet 12 year-old niece by the name of Tessa.
Fortunately, a wild fire experienced by himself and his neice, while housesitting for his sister, changes the course of Jack's life. This raging fire figuratively "thaws" the grips that this mental condition has had over him leading to a restoration in relationships.
The uniqueness of this novel also lies in the narrative as the reader is able to "look over the shoulder" of the main character as he continues penning his third book starring Sage Sauer. This provides a novel within a novel approach as we see the additional story come to life as Jack continues the third book in his trilogy.
Journey to the West Valley Wall by Mark L. Lloyd is a cleverly written and entertaining read. It is also an inspirational story of overcoming challenging conditions in our lives, trusting our friends and allowing life and life situations to work to our benefit.
Journey to the West Valley Wall is a good to excellent read and is sure to entertain the reader with its well developed story line and a very unusual and surprise ending.
February 12, 2019
A journey of discovery and learning
Jack Van Horne is a science fiction writer who has a series of books so popular they are being made into a movie. Jack is a current agoraphobia victim and finds himself trapped in his apartment, only able to leave for doctors visits and the coffee shop that is close to home. His roommate suffers from her own issues as she tries to help Jack navigate his life on a daily basis. The adventure really begins when Jack is tasked with watching his young niece for a couple of days. Follow Jack and Shelly as they try to make their way to West Valley Wall to care for his niece. The story is intriguing and loaded with emotion and unexpected twists may also be scattered throughout this adventure. The characters are developed and relateable and the story is easy to follow as it pulls you along from the beginning of the story. I recommend this one for those who enjoy a good story about a real disease and the coping skills developed.
Jack Van Horne is a science fiction writer who has a series of books so popular they are being made into a movie. Jack is a current agoraphobia victim and finds himself trapped in his apartment, only able to leave for doctors visits and the coffee shop that is close to home. His roommate suffers from her own issues as she tries to help Jack navigate his life on a daily basis. The adventure really begins when Jack is tasked with watching his young niece for a couple of days. Follow Jack and Shelly as they try to make their way to West Valley Wall to care for his niece. The story is intriguing and loaded with emotion and unexpected twists may also be scattered throughout this adventure. The characters are developed and relateable and the story is easy to follow as it pulls you along from the beginning of the story. I recommend this one for those who enjoy a good story about a real disease and the coping skills developed.
March 17, 2019
Agoraphobia - an anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed.
Canadian writer Jack Van Horne has written two best selling, science fiction novels starring Sage Sauer that have been made into wildly popular movies. Now Jack is under spectacular pressure to deliver a third. Everyone thinks the hold up is a simple case of writer's block but Jack knows it's so much more. His anxiety has turned to agoraphobia and the results are debilitating. The reader watches Jack deal with the pressures of his career on top of being called on to care for his precocious niece, Tessa.
In a parallel storyline, Jack's third novel comes together as space hero Sage Sauer materializes for us. By the end of Journey to the West Valley Wall, Mark L. Lloyd has the reader is equally immersed in both worlds, both stories and both main characters in dramatic fashion.
Canadian writer Jack Van Horne has written two best selling, science fiction novels starring Sage Sauer that have been made into wildly popular movies. Now Jack is under spectacular pressure to deliver a third. Everyone thinks the hold up is a simple case of writer's block but Jack knows it's so much more. His anxiety has turned to agoraphobia and the results are debilitating. The reader watches Jack deal with the pressures of his career on top of being called on to care for his precocious niece, Tessa.
In a parallel storyline, Jack's third novel comes together as space hero Sage Sauer materializes for us. By the end of Journey to the West Valley Wall, Mark L. Lloyd has the reader is equally immersed in both worlds, both stories and both main characters in dramatic fashion.
March 19, 2019
Accurate account of mental health and the journey to recovery
I received this book as an ARC and at first didn't think I'd like it. What I thought was going to be a hard fought battle in the woods turned out to be much more of an internal battle. As I progressed through the book, I found myself actively cheering for Jack, the main character and author inside of the book, as he fought to escape the grasp of his mental illness that held him hostage for many years. The story unfolds and tells an accurate tale of how mental health can affect not only you, but all of those around you. One other cool feature was the writing of a story within the story Mark Lloyd had Jack do. You find yourself cheering for Jack and feeling the peaks and valleys he encounters on his journey. This book is a good read for 16 and up, especially if the reader likes sci-fi and stories about mental health.
I received this book as an ARC and at first didn't think I'd like it. What I thought was going to be a hard fought battle in the woods turned out to be much more of an internal battle. As I progressed through the book, I found myself actively cheering for Jack, the main character and author inside of the book, as he fought to escape the grasp of his mental illness that held him hostage for many years. The story unfolds and tells an accurate tale of how mental health can affect not only you, but all of those around you. One other cool feature was the writing of a story within the story Mark Lloyd had Jack do. You find yourself cheering for Jack and feeling the peaks and valleys he encounters on his journey. This book is a good read for 16 and up, especially if the reader likes sci-fi and stories about mental health.
March 24, 2019
A remarkable depiction of agoraphobia that is still entertaining.
I had a relative who was basically a captive of agoraphobia. It’s a hard thing to deal with and even harder for others who can’t imagine having anxiety about leaving the house to understand. This book is a remarkable description of what it’s like to liveliness with agoraphobia. Jack Van Horne is limited to just going to the coffee shop or the doctor So his room mate who struggles with insecurities herself pretty much takes care of Jack and helps him navigate life. Everything in Jacks world is flipped upside down when his sister asks him to babysit his niece for a couple days and Jack must face his agoraphobia head on. It’s an overall well written story and remarkably educational while still providing an entertaining story. The characters are very well written and the story as a whole kind of drags you in from the start.
I had a relative who was basically a captive of agoraphobia. It’s a hard thing to deal with and even harder for others who can’t imagine having anxiety about leaving the house to understand. This book is a remarkable description of what it’s like to liveliness with agoraphobia. Jack Van Horne is limited to just going to the coffee shop or the doctor So his room mate who struggles with insecurities herself pretty much takes care of Jack and helps him navigate life. Everything in Jacks world is flipped upside down when his sister asks him to babysit his niece for a couple days and Jack must face his agoraphobia head on. It’s an overall well written story and remarkably educational while still providing an entertaining story. The characters are very well written and the story as a whole kind of drags you in from the start.
January 24, 2019
The greatness of Journey to the West Valley Wall is not seen until the last chapter. Mark Lloyd writes a story within a story as Jack Van Horne pens his third and final novel about Sage Sauer. This character has made Jack rich as the movie industry picked it up to make two movies, now they fans are screaming for more. But the Jack can’t handle the fame and develops agoraphobia. Promise to care for his niece has force Jack out of his apartment and into an adventure that changed his life.
I found Journey to the West Valley Wall intriguing. Mark Lloyd is a talented writer who draws the reader with one story while telling another. The twist surprised me at the end and loved how this book ended. Jack’s agoraphobia was interesting and what it took for him to learn to control it was fascinating. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it for science fiction readers.
I found Journey to the West Valley Wall intriguing. Mark Lloyd is a talented writer who draws the reader with one story while telling another. The twist surprised me at the end and loved how this book ended. Jack’s agoraphobia was interesting and what it took for him to learn to control it was fascinating. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it for science fiction readers.
February 15, 2019
This book is about an author who suffers from Agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by symptoms of anxiety in situations where the person perceives their environment to be unsafe with no easy way to escape. Jack, our author is struggling to complete his next novel while suffering from his disorder. He is unable to get help from anyone as most people do not take him seriously, when he describes his phobia. He is tasked to watch over his niece and this will take him out of his safe zone.
This story was very interesting to me as the main character has a phobia that impacts his day to day life. Not many authors are able to accurately depict how a disorder such as this one can impact your daily routine. It was very well written and researched and the ending was very fitting to the story I think.
This story was very interesting to me as the main character has a phobia that impacts his day to day life. Not many authors are able to accurately depict how a disorder such as this one can impact your daily routine. It was very well written and researched and the ending was very fitting to the story I think.
January 24, 2019
Sometimes we need to muster courage and do things that we think/believe we cannot!
I liked the story as it's seemed to me the author has a message of breaking the shell and do things and fight against all challenges. The story is about a science writer Jack, who is suffering from some illness and is unable to leave his house except a trip to the doctor or coffee shop and his friend helps him do most of the other work. But one day when Jack’s sister asks him to watch his niece for 2-days his life takes a turn and he is on an adventure that could change his life. Sometimes we need to muster courage and do things that we think/believe we cannot. May be that’s the only way out?
I liked the story as it's seemed to me the author has a message of breaking the shell and do things and fight against all challenges. The story is about a science writer Jack, who is suffering from some illness and is unable to leave his house except a trip to the doctor or coffee shop and his friend helps him do most of the other work. But one day when Jack’s sister asks him to watch his niece for 2-days his life takes a turn and he is on an adventure that could change his life. Sometimes we need to muster courage and do things that we think/believe we cannot. May be that’s the only way out?
March 25, 2019
An inside look at illness
Journey to the West Valley Wall is the story of author Jack’s journey to write his last story of his popular trilogy when he gets a call from his sister to drive across town and babysit his niece for a few days. This proves to be a big issue since Jack has agoraphobia, which manifests in him as a fear of big crowds. It’s amazing to watch him as he deals with this and it’s special the role his niece plays.
I like how the author uses his novel (and novel within a novel) to talk about this illness. Jack is a character that readers will want to root for. The ending totally shocked me. It felt kind of sci-fi-ish. But a definite fun twist.
Journey to the West Valley Wall is the story of author Jack’s journey to write his last story of his popular trilogy when he gets a call from his sister to drive across town and babysit his niece for a few days. This proves to be a big issue since Jack has agoraphobia, which manifests in him as a fear of big crowds. It’s amazing to watch him as he deals with this and it’s special the role his niece plays.
I like how the author uses his novel (and novel within a novel) to talk about this illness. Jack is a character that readers will want to root for. The ending totally shocked me. It felt kind of sci-fi-ish. But a definite fun twist.
May 22, 2020
I loved reading this book so much that I read it again after reading it the first time. Seeing the constant internal battle that the main protagonist has to face is really eye opening and realistic. It really made me appreciate the perspective and the views of the author. The story was really gripping and I found myself entirely engrossed in the relationship between him and his niece as well as his internal struggles with mental health.
April 7, 2019
Needs a little improvement
Nice ideas and setting, but book needs some editing to correct obvious typos/word choice errors. It's a pretty quick read.
Nice ideas and setting, but book needs some editing to correct obvious typos/word choice errors. It's a pretty quick read.
April 22, 2020
While this book isn’t in my normal genre realm, there isn’t a good use of vivid verbs and descriptions to support the plot.
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