Review of Tales of the Seventies

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[Following is a volunteer review of "Tales of the Seventies" by David Done.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Set in 1970s California, Tales of the Seventies by David Done is a collection of short stories and a novella. At its heart, the book is a study of human behavior when faced with struggles in different aspects of life, whether it's relationships or finances. It is a mixed bag of tales that strike distinct chords with the reader. An elderly couple's old school romance,  a man with a phoenix spirit rising from his failures, and a self-conscious social misfit who tries to stand up for a distressed woman - the book has it all. 

The author also touches on sensitive topics like mental health, drug overuse, lack of companionship, and the need for social validation which are as relevant today as they were back then. 

I loved Mr. Zhen Hua and Leila's story- 'Point to Point After'- the most because it successfully maintains a mysterious aura in a relatively simple-straight storyline. It delivered a strong message at the end and reminded me of the quote- "I defy you, stars!" 

In yet another story, the author captures the essence of social fears that an individual harbors beneath the mask of normalcy. It talks about the people who don't "fit in" the set standards of society, and I related to the protagonist. In the novella, Yesteryears Snows, the writer admits to having witnessed the dark side of the Age of Aquarius and how that left him in shock.   

I liked the fact that each story had its own distinct base emotion- from laughter, sadness, anger, and repugnance- I've experienced them all. I found the narration impeccable, it keeps you hooked. The pace is much better than what I expected out of the olden days' setting. The book's strength lies in its mature suspenseful writing and character-driven plots.

On the contrary, it has numerous errors and could use thorough editing. Some of the engrossing plots had abrupt and frustrating endings. The author's attempts to switch between the current scenario and flashbacks left me hanging and clueless at times. Considering the above-mentioned comments, I give the book a 2 out of 4.

I do not recommend the book to young readers due to the usage of profanity, drugs, and sexual content. The book is a good choice for anyone who prefers short or subtle thrill stories. It is a worthy one-time read and takes the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions and unexpected storylines!

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Tales of the Seventies
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