Review by Guda LM -- The Juicy Fruit Man by LaMar Going
Posted: 24 Jul 2020, 10:37
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Juicy Fruit Man" by LaMar Going.]
The Juicy Fruit Man by Lamar Going is a thrilling story that keeps the reader in a constant state of suspense and tension. It follows the story of Declan Noakes, a man tormented by his past and struggling to stay sane. He is a man with a kind heart, loves his family, but still has his vices and dark moments. Declan fought and survived the Vietnam War, narrowly escaping death when he suffered a significant head injury. He consequently lost half of his vision in his right eye. However, the invisible mental traumas are the ones that haunt him. It becomes debatable whether or not Declan handles his demons in an ideal manner.
He habitually uses marijuana as a way to silence them, especially in his sleep. He couples that with reading the bible and finding solace in the verses and words. To further his complex life, he engages his cousin Rachel, in an illegal, yet profitable marijuana smuggling business. Initially, all is well with the enterprise and his family. However, it all abruptly changes when his old army friend, Fisher, suddenly reconnects with him. Additionally, two corrupt and greedy police officers are also in his tracks, harboring ill intentions. In an instance, Declan and Rachel are in a fight for their lives. They quickly have to figure out their enemies, keep the police at bay, and save their livelihood.
Lamar Going vividly describes the different sceneries and settings and to exquisite details. This brings out a vivid picture in the reader’s mind and helps in the visualization of the narrative. The characters are also well described, clearly bringing out their attributes and physical characteristics. The author also cleverly employs wordplay and incorporates humor within the read, creating more interest and intrigue.
The aspect I love most about the book is the philosophical explanations of war and Declan’s existence. Declan occasionally justifies his actions and reasons for events occurring in his life in musing and thought-provoking arguments. I equally enjoy how he incorporates biblical verses and references in his thought process, giving the story more depth. The book, in my opinion, is blunt and illustrates a soldier's life during and after a war. It is not always a happy-ending and peaceful integration into society. I was uncomfortable reading the war, fight, and injury scenes. The author describes them in gruesome details, and the picture is not a pleasant one. However, it is necessary, as they are part of the story.
The book is professionally edited, and I found no grammatical or spelling errors. The language used is simple and slightly profane; coupled with the brutal scenes, the read is suitable for mature readers. The Juicy Fruit Man is a thrilling and fast-paced read, right from the introduction. The arguments towards the necessity of the Vietnam War or any other war are insightful and compelling. The whole narrative highlights a world of corrupt police officers, decent people who made wrong choices, and the fate of soldiers post-war. I, therefore, give the book a 4 out of 4 stars rating. I recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging read full of drama and suspense.
******
The Juicy Fruit Man
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Juicy Fruit Man by Lamar Going is a thrilling story that keeps the reader in a constant state of suspense and tension. It follows the story of Declan Noakes, a man tormented by his past and struggling to stay sane. He is a man with a kind heart, loves his family, but still has his vices and dark moments. Declan fought and survived the Vietnam War, narrowly escaping death when he suffered a significant head injury. He consequently lost half of his vision in his right eye. However, the invisible mental traumas are the ones that haunt him. It becomes debatable whether or not Declan handles his demons in an ideal manner.
He habitually uses marijuana as a way to silence them, especially in his sleep. He couples that with reading the bible and finding solace in the verses and words. To further his complex life, he engages his cousin Rachel, in an illegal, yet profitable marijuana smuggling business. Initially, all is well with the enterprise and his family. However, it all abruptly changes when his old army friend, Fisher, suddenly reconnects with him. Additionally, two corrupt and greedy police officers are also in his tracks, harboring ill intentions. In an instance, Declan and Rachel are in a fight for their lives. They quickly have to figure out their enemies, keep the police at bay, and save their livelihood.
Lamar Going vividly describes the different sceneries and settings and to exquisite details. This brings out a vivid picture in the reader’s mind and helps in the visualization of the narrative. The characters are also well described, clearly bringing out their attributes and physical characteristics. The author also cleverly employs wordplay and incorporates humor within the read, creating more interest and intrigue.
The aspect I love most about the book is the philosophical explanations of war and Declan’s existence. Declan occasionally justifies his actions and reasons for events occurring in his life in musing and thought-provoking arguments. I equally enjoy how he incorporates biblical verses and references in his thought process, giving the story more depth. The book, in my opinion, is blunt and illustrates a soldier's life during and after a war. It is not always a happy-ending and peaceful integration into society. I was uncomfortable reading the war, fight, and injury scenes. The author describes them in gruesome details, and the picture is not a pleasant one. However, it is necessary, as they are part of the story.
The book is professionally edited, and I found no grammatical or spelling errors. The language used is simple and slightly profane; coupled with the brutal scenes, the read is suitable for mature readers. The Juicy Fruit Man is a thrilling and fast-paced read, right from the introduction. The arguments towards the necessity of the Vietnam War or any other war are insightful and compelling. The whole narrative highlights a world of corrupt police officers, decent people who made wrong choices, and the fate of soldiers post-war. I, therefore, give the book a 4 out of 4 stars rating. I recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging read full of drama and suspense.
******
The Juicy Fruit Man
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Post-war traumas are the subject worth exploring. Thank you for a great review!