They say that hate creates more hate. But the opposite is also true—truer now more than ever—peace creates more peace. WA thought-provoking collection
They say that hate creates more hate. But the opposite is also true—truer now more than ever—peace creates more peace. We so desperately need the latter in the world in which we live. And Roger DeBlanck so vividly brings us to peace, but not without exposing hate.
This work is a culmination of Roger’s unique views of the world, a catharsis of ideas, visions, and prose. This book will make you think, and make you pine for peace. Read it with an open mind and use its contrasting ideas to live a better life—a life filled not with hate, but with peace. Godspeed....more
Prayers from the Far Quarter is a very special novel. Being a fan of Roger DeBlanck’s historical fiction, I was immediately intrigued by this ambitiouPrayers from the Far Quarter is a very special novel. Being a fan of Roger DeBlanck’s historical fiction, I was immediately intrigued by this ambitious project when I read the synopsis. The novel chronicles the life of Isa, a Muslim slave from Africa, who journeys, first by choice and then by force, across three continents where he faces many near-death experiences, including the bloody civil war in America. This is what makes this story unique as we witness Isa’s Muslim faith shield him and guide him to understand the meaning of life. Mr. DeBlanck’s refreshing style of including some of history’s most famous icons is on full display with Isa’s chance meetings with Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, and Harriet Tubman, among others – well done! This thought-provoking story will provide you with a deep understanding of the Muslim religion and the teachings of the Qur’an. A novel truly worth your attention, Prayers from the Far Quarter should be on everyone’s to-read list....more
Journey. Addiction. Suspense. Confrontation. Redemption. These are just a few of the words to describe The Destruction of Silence. This is a very specJourney. Addiction. Suspense. Confrontation. Redemption. These are just a few of the words to describe The Destruction of Silence. This is a very special story that follows Thomas Newsome on his journey to find his father and to find his self. The novel starts in Las Vegas with a window in the world of this young man and the struggles with growing up in an abusive home. Each of the early chapters captures Thomas’ emotions over his family, his girlfriend, and the demons within and propels the story forward with suspense spread across each page. This element was the most satisfying for me early on, but then the suspense rises up and overarches as Thomas’ drive takes front and center. Thomas must find his father at all costs and this leads him into the unknown. Meeting colorful characters along the way, Thomas takes you on a journey, his journey that spans Apache country with stops that provide a view into the secrets of his Apache past. With each word shaped and polished by author Roger DeBlanck, this is one you must read....more
As a fan of Roger DeBlanck's writing, I was excited when I found out he was releasing a poetry collection. Roger gives us a window into the soul of liAs a fan of Roger DeBlanck's writing, I was excited when I found out he was releasing a poetry collection. Roger gives us a window into the soul of life with this collection. From the effects of war on the human spirit to the effects of the environment on the animal world, Roger writes in such a vivid way that it causes one to pause and to ponder. Each poem has its place in the greater whole and a poem can be enjoyed lying in bed before sleep or standing in line to buy lunch.
Empire of the Mind will give you greater insight into the author's inspiration for his novels. When I finished reading this collection, I was left with one word, "hope."...more
An intriguing book worth the read if you are in the mood for mystery and desire. I liked the diary entries that Lori used. They added a sense of intimAn intriguing book worth the read if you are in the mood for mystery and desire. I liked the diary entries that Lori used. They added a sense of intimacy and enhanced the encounters that Morgan found herself in with Jason. Great reading!...more
John O'Brien always gives us a privileged view into the depths of his characters, their secrets, their hidden agendas, their romantic thoughts, which John O'Brien always gives us a privileged view into the depths of his characters, their secrets, their hidden agendas, their romantic thoughts, which are for our eyes only. And he slows down scenes, making it all about the moment. "Better" is a strange book in that it takes place solely inside the confines of a mansion overlooking the California coast. This is where we meet William, a permanent house guest of the Lord of the Manor, Double Felix. Their interactions are a play on language, a literary contest every morning over a glass of vodka. "Better" demonstrates how language is character and character is language.
Read this book after you have read O'Brien's more commercial "Leaving Las Vegas" and "Stripper Lessons."...more
Where were you when the twin towers were hit, the Soviets set up nukes in Cuba, or the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor? Depending on your age, these evWhere were you when the twin towers were hit, the Soviets set up nukes in Cuba, or the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor? Depending on your age, these events may be close to your heart, or close to the hearts of your parents or grandparents. The Sky Buries All Sorrow explores how these events, spanning from the 1940s to the 2000s, transform a family.
DeBlanck structures the book in four parts bridging three generations of characters. Masterfully, he slows the plot down to take you through the emotions of John’s post-war trauma, Cassie’s desires to be a wife and a mother, and Johnny’s uncertainly of a direction in life.
The characterization of these individuals is beautiful. I particularly like the inclusion of objects and beliefs that travel with the characters throughout the story. The Japanese knife that John brings back from the war is more than just a simple cutting tool; it is a symbol of courage, of tragedy, of forgiving. These objects and ideas frame the book and connect each chapter with each character.
There are unique metaphors sprinkled throughout the story that raise the novel up to literature, yet at the same time, suspense, action, and humor keep the story engaging for all. About midway through, DeBlanck weaves the Ramos Brothers into the narrative, which beautifully connects this story to his other novel, The Ramos Brothers Trust Castro and Kennedy.
Forget the history books, DeBlanck’s mastery of research and narrative abilities put you right in the middle of these historical events. You’ll smell the burning jet fuel, taste the family’s holiday dinner, and feel the wave of emotion from the crumbling towers. ...more
Juan and Alberto Ramos are brothers, friends, and partners through the ups and downs of the turbulent 1950s and 1960s in Cuba and America. DeBlanck haJuan and Alberto Ramos are brothers, friends, and partners through the ups and downs of the turbulent 1950s and 1960s in Cuba and America. DeBlanck has taken the forty-thousand-foot view we read about in history books and provided us with an intimate view of this time through the lives of the Ramos Brothers.
I read because of characters, and I found myself enthralled in the lives of these boys and their family and friends. Whether it was Lucretia's hypocritical relationship with the boys and the church, Florencio's courage in becoming the father he needed to be only after being separated, or the brothers' trust in the eerie connections they had with Castro and Kennedy, DeBlanck has entranced us with real characters, conflicted and flawed. I wanted Alberto to somehow reunite with Emilia, and I was rooting for Juan to open up about his true identity to Amanda in the living room of that suite. These characters are what made me keep reading, made me stay up late just to see what happened next, made me analyze my own relationship with my family. What if my father was separated from me? What if my mother disagreed with me at a fundamental level? In fact, DeBlanck has humanized Havana, breathing life through its streets with his colorful prose. With Fidel's "La Revolución" and Kennedy's Presidential election, we know what's going to happen, yet we have no idea what's going to happen to these characters.
I loved the sprinkling of Spanish words throughout the story to give it that "auténtico" touch. The details of the settings, the descriptions of events, the interactions between the brothers with their world show DeBlanck's mastery of historical research, plotting, and character development. It's mind boggling to behold the authenticity of this story and its characters.
I've never been to Cuba, but now I have. I wish this story never ended; I would keep reading every night until catching up to Juan and Alberto in present day. -Jonathan Sturak 01/08/2013...more
Stripper Lessons provides a window into the life of a lonely man. Carroll is the guy who watches the world turn from the shadHave you ever felt alone?
Stripper Lessons provides a window into the life of a lonely man. Carroll is the guy who watches the world turn from the shadows, the guy you walk past at the mall, never knowing he was ever there. But that guy was there, watching you walk past.
The story is personal and the plot only occurs over a few days. I wondered why O’Brien chose this part of Carroll’s seemingly repetitious life. But then Stevie dances her way into his world. O’Brien describes the breathtaking blond with some of the most vivid prose I’ve ever read. I found myself re-reading some of these passages, mesmerized as if I were beholding an artist’s painting or listening to a classical masterpiece. O’Brien gives us very little backstory on these characters, but I can appreciate the “here and now” with Carroll and Stevie’s interactions. I wanted this guy to find what he was lacking. He tried everything, an infomercial video for “shy men,” flashy clothes with “curlicues,” and even alcohol (Carroll’s naivety with booze is the opposite of Ben’s overindulgence in Leaving Las Vegas). But even though Carroll alienates coworkers, barmaids, and strippers over the course of the book, he gains a deeper understanding of himself and an acceptance of who he is, and who he is not.
You always glean new words from O’Brien’s works, and this fact, in my opinion, adds another layer to his stories. As I read Strippers Lessons, I became emotionally involved with Carroll and feared for him as the end neared. In the few days we spend with him in the story, it seemed his subconscious prompted him to grow, and made him become not the guy watching from the shadows, bottling his emotions up, but the guy shouting, tossing and shattering said bottle onto the ground. And I particularly liked how Carroll ran up to Stevie in the parking lot outside of Indiscretions. He was no longer afraid to be a lonely man.
Read Leaving Las Vegas for a view into a character losing his way; read Stripper Lessons for a view into a character finding his way. -Jonathan Sturak 12/08/2012...more
George Magruder is a civilized man, a man who doesn’t believe in violence or guns. He believes in the advancement of mankind, using debate and discussGeorge Magruder is a civilized man, a man who doesn’t believe in violence or guns. He believes in the advancement of mankind, using debate and discussion to address problems. George is an American. He married a Brit named Louise and together they have a young impressionable daughter. The Magruder family has been living in Louise's country for several months as George works on a research paper. They have bypassed the civilized city, renting a sprawling home called “Trencher’s Farm” inside a mysterious village in the fringes of England, miles away from London, miles away from the rest of the world.
As George, the civilized outsider, complains to his wife about the uncivilized village surrounding him, a storm begins brewing. George is about to clash with a group of locals who wants to bury him and his family along with the other secrets plaguing this backwater village.
During a series of bizarre mishaps, George finds himself harboring a legally insane pedophile as a group of hostile men, under the influence of not only alcohol, but years of repression, attempts to breach his house. A blizzard has crippled this small village, but it hasn’t crippled the action unfolding at Trencher’s Farm. George has the simple yet very powerful objective of protecting his home and his family. The last half of the book plays out in near real-time. This is the book’s best and, conversely, most critical feature. It's literary genius to see George transform right in front of your eyes. He becomes a "man," at least in his wife's eyes, and uses his book smarts to defend, and ultimately attack, these intruders. Every man has his breaking point and Mr. Williams provides us with a window into George’s transformation from a coward, to a strong man, to an inhuman animal.
If you enjoy action and becoming immersed into the details of an elaborate plot, then you must read this classic. Two films have spawned from Mr. Williams' words. This book has similarities in characters and form, but it’s nothing like the film adaptations. Read it! -Jonathan Sturak 9/30/2012...more
Christine Redlin shares a book full of real-world anecdotes that will entertain you, motivate you, and provide you with tips for your everyday life. TChristine Redlin shares a book full of real-world anecdotes that will entertain you, motivate you, and provide you with tips for your everyday life. The fact that it's set in Beverly Hills makes it that much more unique! Who doesn't fantasize about living a life in Beverly Hills brushing shoulders with celebrities and personalities? But who can afford it? Christine shows you how the girl next door did for years. This book is full of cost saving tips, money earning secrets, and creative ways to live within your means, in Beverly Hills and beyond. I learned that a great place to visit (for FREE) in Beverly Hills is the Greystone Mansion. Christine even provides web links to many of her tips!
Buy this book for your girlfriend, wife, mom, or yourself! Men should read it too. The chapter on Christine's car stories is hilarious! Who knew that gun patches could easily fix a leaky convertible top until you saved up enough for a new one?! Very creative!
I read Drive after seeing the film by the same name. The book differs in many areas of the film, which makes it hard to compare. As a book, James SallI read Drive after seeing the film by the same name. The book differs in many areas of the film, which makes it hard to compare. As a book, James Sallis creates an intriguing character we get to know through flashbacks and quick chapters. I like the snippets of character, the brush strokes of a man only known as “Driver.” Mr. Sallis writes with dead-on brevity and gives us only enough information to open the door a crack. I love how he writes, it's just as mysterious as the character. There are times, however, where I find it confusing to tell who is speaking. Eliminating all “Driver saids” in a sequence of ten lines makes it necessary to count evens and odds to differentiate each character. But I get what Sallis is going for with his prose, and he is a master at it. Overall, a great character study leading to a great film! -Jonathan Sturak 02/22/2012...more
The first Shane Scully I've read. Great characters. The first two pages of this book are mesmerizing. One of the best intros I've read. Long live Mr. The first Shane Scully I've read. Great characters. The first two pages of this book are mesmerizing. One of the best intros I've read. Long live Mr. Cannell......more
This thriller keeps you guessing. I like how the two main characters are so different, yet are so much alike. I saw the film adaptation in Las Vegas aThis thriller keeps you guessing. I like how the two main characters are so different, yet are so much alike. I saw the film adaptation in Las Vegas and loved it! The author died too young....more
A story so large, yet so small. This book takes a global apocalyptic event and boils it down to two characters--a man and his son. We follow them on aA story so large, yet so small. This book takes a global apocalyptic event and boils it down to two characters--a man and his son. We follow them on a journey to the beach where they hope to find something, anything, to give them hope to live. I felt deep emotion toward both characters. This is a compelling Cormac McCarthy novel with a great film adaptation....more
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