Review of Strong Heart
Posted: 24 Feb 2022, 09:21
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
Strong heart by Charlie Sheldon is a story of different journeys not just obvious one. It's a tale revolving around history, science and nature.
The plot is focused on main characters Tom, William (mentor figure to Tom and his close friend) and Myra (William's daughter) who decided to go on hiking and camping trip to finish Tom's personal task of visiting his grandfathers grave. Right before trip in their life comes Sarah Cooley, a 13-year old troubled teenager and as it turns out Tom's granddaughter. Finally, after arguing and disagreement, Sarah hesitates but in the end accepts Myra's offer to join them on a journey as she is now part of their family which will be turning point in her life (almost you could say point of maturing).
Sarah starts to learn about Tom's family and life, native history, stories and myths. In the moment of arguement she ran away from their camping site to cool off and that's when she starts her spiritual journey (readers can see little signs of it right before that such as ice age bear that seemingly invited her to follow it but instead she decided to draw it as it was her way of relaxing/venting out). Even though she was missing for about week her journey would be much longer on which she would learn new skills and language and live among new people. Meanwhile, William, Tom and Myra are faced with problems that are brought on by modern society. They found themselves on crossroad between preserving nature and Native American history or destroying it by allowing mining company to intrude into their community.
Element of science is present throughout whole story mostly between Myra's and Sergei's conversations reflecting totally opposite views and opinions which I really enjoyed reading. Their conversations reflect characters' struggle between cultural and traditional beliefs (based on ancestors' stories) and tangible or factual data (evidence based on real scientific research). Sheldon in any way didn't want reader to choose sides, or put in question characters' knowledge or even wanted to give a trace of bias but simply presented reader that historical events can be and should be looked from different perspectives.
I really liked author's writing style as it is simple and it keeps reader engaged at all times. Sheldon absolutely had shown his expertise in wildlife biology but I feel like he also had studied human pyschology and behavior. He depicted complex human nature in all of his characters no matter whether their role is main or side or what element of human nature is presented through a character. At first glance Tom, William and Myra could be seen as characters with no bigger or distinctive details between them and almost as they are superficially presented to reader. Be sure that every character has its purpose for the story (for both of journeys). Throughout story we could see that characters went under some major changes and improvements. Sarah was unknowingly (from both sides) their missing puzzle piece that completed their family. They realized that not only when she went missing but also when she returned and due to her unbreakable spirit decided to go back to place from where she disappeared just to finish the task from beginning of story. This time she came back stronger than ever and without any doubt, hesitation or questioning "her truth", Tom, Myra and William decided to follow Sarah on last journey to get their final closure.
Even though I liked writing style of characters, sometimes I found it harder to follow what is being said and by who because story is narrated in two perspectives - first and third. On few occasions I was confused what is happening because of that.
Choosing this book was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone od reading. At first I was afraid I might not like it but the story really had drown me into new world and I was little bit disappointed in the end not because of the way it ended (it ended perfectly) but just because it ended if you know what I mean. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars as it gave me motivation to read similar books and explore new genre. Because language is simple, this book is suited to different audiences no matter genre they are interested in, religion or age.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Strong heart by Charlie Sheldon is a story of different journeys not just obvious one. It's a tale revolving around history, science and nature.
The plot is focused on main characters Tom, William (mentor figure to Tom and his close friend) and Myra (William's daughter) who decided to go on hiking and camping trip to finish Tom's personal task of visiting his grandfathers grave. Right before trip in their life comes Sarah Cooley, a 13-year old troubled teenager and as it turns out Tom's granddaughter. Finally, after arguing and disagreement, Sarah hesitates but in the end accepts Myra's offer to join them on a journey as she is now part of their family which will be turning point in her life (almost you could say point of maturing).
Sarah starts to learn about Tom's family and life, native history, stories and myths. In the moment of arguement she ran away from their camping site to cool off and that's when she starts her spiritual journey (readers can see little signs of it right before that such as ice age bear that seemingly invited her to follow it but instead she decided to draw it as it was her way of relaxing/venting out). Even though she was missing for about week her journey would be much longer on which she would learn new skills and language and live among new people. Meanwhile, William, Tom and Myra are faced with problems that are brought on by modern society. They found themselves on crossroad between preserving nature and Native American history or destroying it by allowing mining company to intrude into their community.
Element of science is present throughout whole story mostly between Myra's and Sergei's conversations reflecting totally opposite views and opinions which I really enjoyed reading. Their conversations reflect characters' struggle between cultural and traditional beliefs (based on ancestors' stories) and tangible or factual data (evidence based on real scientific research). Sheldon in any way didn't want reader to choose sides, or put in question characters' knowledge or even wanted to give a trace of bias but simply presented reader that historical events can be and should be looked from different perspectives.
I really liked author's writing style as it is simple and it keeps reader engaged at all times. Sheldon absolutely had shown his expertise in wildlife biology but I feel like he also had studied human pyschology and behavior. He depicted complex human nature in all of his characters no matter whether their role is main or side or what element of human nature is presented through a character. At first glance Tom, William and Myra could be seen as characters with no bigger or distinctive details between them and almost as they are superficially presented to reader. Be sure that every character has its purpose for the story (for both of journeys). Throughout story we could see that characters went under some major changes and improvements. Sarah was unknowingly (from both sides) their missing puzzle piece that completed their family. They realized that not only when she went missing but also when she returned and due to her unbreakable spirit decided to go back to place from where she disappeared just to finish the task from beginning of story. This time she came back stronger than ever and without any doubt, hesitation or questioning "her truth", Tom, Myra and William decided to follow Sarah on last journey to get their final closure.
Even though I liked writing style of characters, sometimes I found it harder to follow what is being said and by who because story is narrated in two perspectives - first and third. On few occasions I was confused what is happening because of that.
Choosing this book was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone od reading. At first I was afraid I might not like it but the story really had drown me into new world and I was little bit disappointed in the end not because of the way it ended (it ended perfectly) but just because it ended if you know what I mean. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars as it gave me motivation to read similar books and explore new genre. Because language is simple, this book is suited to different audiences no matter genre they are interested in, religion or age.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon