Core Values

by Louis Bertrand Shalako

Inspired by real life and ripped from the daily headlines, ‘Core Values’ is a parody of a 1950’s drive-in movie sci-fi thriller. Charles Henry Brubaker is the other guy. Everything bad happens to poor old Chuck. When everything is going well, that is not the true test. It's when everything and everyone is against you. It's what you do then. That is the measure of a man. In this framework tale, using a series of short stories, scenes and vignettes, the author explores what it is like to be marginalized in an already corrupt environment, both natural and social. A dark comedy.

438 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2010

About the author

Louis Bertrand Shalako lives in Canada. He studied Radio, Television, and Journalism Arts at Lambton College of Applied Arts and Technology in Sarnia, Ontario. He enjoys cycling and swimming, and is a lover of good books.

Reviews

[Margaret Radisich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Core Values; as in previous books, Mr. Shalako has proved to be a professional and thoroughly researched writer. His character Charles Brubaker seems to be much like him, always researching, writing, researching some more and enjoying every minute of it.

The story takes place in Canada and Bru (as he is tagged) is on disability which gives him a lot of time to research the issues before writing letters to everyone that he thinks has the power to change things. He takes it upon himself to be the defender of all the people in the area who have been getting sick from the contamination and the others who are being cheated and/or mistreated by those in power. This puts Bru on the “crazy” list and he gets picked on by the law, the government, and the neighbors. He keeps plugging along and after losing his house due to a bad neighbor’s complaining and accusations; ends up living with his elderly father. Even with all his problems, he still investigates, writes and keeps his sense of humor and his sanity.

I can say no more because of the ending, but the story gets quite exciting towards the end and very scary. Mr. Shalako wrote the scenes so perfectly, that I did not want to go outside after dark (or sit close to a window) when I finished the book. You will enjoy this story and will wonder if, indeed, it could be a coming horrific scene caused by chemical contamination.

[Martha]

Also in Nook Archive.

[Amber Moore]

This book shouldn't have been put on the market. It is a horrible read. I don't just quit a book in the middle like this but this was brutal!!!