Review of Visiting Uncle John
Posted: 18 Sep 2021, 02:50
[Following is a volunteer review of "Visiting Uncle John" by Frank Waltmire.]
Visiting Uncle John by Frank Waltmire is a novel well adhering to its title. It is a compilation of fourteen visits of Eli to his Uncle John at Cooperson Correctional facilities. Twenty-nine-year-old Eli is still looking for his life's aim and is in dilemma whether to stay in Bay city or join his uncle's freight agency. His uncle John was prisoned for shooting his ex-employee, Garret Brooks, several years after quitting John's freight agency. The crime incidentally happened at the parking lot of Square Lake Inn, just before the narrator was going to dine with his uncle at the Inn. Eli was undoubtedly curious about the reason behind the murder. Yet, he was even more intrigued by why his uncle unusually invited him for dinner the same night, mentioning he had something to tell Eli.
The illustrations in this novel are uncomplicated, and the way of presentation is imperturbable. All through the context, it is neither too thrilling nor monotonous. Eli weaved rational coherences around the crime incidence throughout the story to deduce what is that something that his uncle wanted to share with him? The author effectively managed to keep his readers engaged throughout the story with a few suspenseful elements. Readers may also find them meandering between the underlying reason for murder and something that uncle john needed to tell Eli.
Waltmire has interestingly captured the other characters’ connection with circumstance from each character's perspective and not only from the narrator's viewpoint. The novel is classified into chapters so that each character develops well without any confusion. At the same time, the author adeptly executed their personal lives, conflicts, and impressions of uncle John. Conversations between characters were as if they were happening in front of you.
As the plot progresses, I have found myself in strange fondness for uncle John, who seems to be liked by everyone except Garret Brooks. John lived a life of adventurous secrets that he intermittently shared with Eli during his visits. He is the source of inspiration for many and earned unique reverence from women who came in contact with him. He was involved in many illicit acts withal he wasn't any less unpopular or disrespectful.
I would rate this novel 3 out of 4 stars because one may anticipate the suspense towards the end that keeps oneself engrossed throughout the story. Moreover, how simple it may sound, I may not recommend this novel to children and sensitive audiences for its mention of crime, drug use, sex, and physical abuse. But I enjoyed the story and could not put myself off from it until I came to know the end, however obvious it was.
******
Visiting Uncle John
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Visiting Uncle John by Frank Waltmire is a novel well adhering to its title. It is a compilation of fourteen visits of Eli to his Uncle John at Cooperson Correctional facilities. Twenty-nine-year-old Eli is still looking for his life's aim and is in dilemma whether to stay in Bay city or join his uncle's freight agency. His uncle John was prisoned for shooting his ex-employee, Garret Brooks, several years after quitting John's freight agency. The crime incidentally happened at the parking lot of Square Lake Inn, just before the narrator was going to dine with his uncle at the Inn. Eli was undoubtedly curious about the reason behind the murder. Yet, he was even more intrigued by why his uncle unusually invited him for dinner the same night, mentioning he had something to tell Eli.
The illustrations in this novel are uncomplicated, and the way of presentation is imperturbable. All through the context, it is neither too thrilling nor monotonous. Eli weaved rational coherences around the crime incidence throughout the story to deduce what is that something that his uncle wanted to share with him? The author effectively managed to keep his readers engaged throughout the story with a few suspenseful elements. Readers may also find them meandering between the underlying reason for murder and something that uncle john needed to tell Eli.
Waltmire has interestingly captured the other characters’ connection with circumstance from each character's perspective and not only from the narrator's viewpoint. The novel is classified into chapters so that each character develops well without any confusion. At the same time, the author adeptly executed their personal lives, conflicts, and impressions of uncle John. Conversations between characters were as if they were happening in front of you.
As the plot progresses, I have found myself in strange fondness for uncle John, who seems to be liked by everyone except Garret Brooks. John lived a life of adventurous secrets that he intermittently shared with Eli during his visits. He is the source of inspiration for many and earned unique reverence from women who came in contact with him. He was involved in many illicit acts withal he wasn't any less unpopular or disrespectful.
I would rate this novel 3 out of 4 stars because one may anticipate the suspense towards the end that keeps oneself engrossed throughout the story. Moreover, how simple it may sound, I may not recommend this novel to children and sensitive audiences for its mention of crime, drug use, sex, and physical abuse. But I enjoyed the story and could not put myself off from it until I came to know the end, however obvious it was.
******
Visiting Uncle John
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon