Review by Vingel -- Breaking Sandcastles by Kirk Burris

[Vingel]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Breaking Sandcastles" by Kirk Burris.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Breaking sandcastles by Kirk Burris is a fiction novel with a beautiful love story. Marion and Jonathan Duquesne met way back when Marion was posted to teach at High school as she waited for the fall as she had been promised a position as the head of art department at University of Kansas City. Despite the 11 years age difference, there was a huge connection between them more than that which is supposed to be there between a teacher and student.

Marion teaches art and Jonathan is not only the most talented student but also she is attracted to him just as he is attracted to her. Their love story is a unique one for one Jonathan falls in love with his teacher who is far much older than him. There are many obstacles and they both fight that which they have for each other because of their perceived differences. However eventually they are married and bring up a beautiful family.

I Love how Kirk Burris has been able to use flashback to appropriately connect the happenings of the present and the past. This has really made the story captivating as the reader is able to understand why the things are the way they are in the present time. Through use of flashback we get to know the whole life journey of Jonathan who at the beginning of the story has a heart attack. We are introduced to his high school girlfriend Belladonna. Throughout the story Marion and Belladonna have not been in good terms. They are both jealous of each other. At some point Belladonna causes separation between him and Marion after she witnessed them kissing. Seems fate wants them together. Eventually, Jonathan and Marion make a great family. Jonathan earns a living through use of his talent as an artist while Marion is a teacher.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It is an interesting book. The plot is simple to follow and language has been properly used. The book ends in the most unexpected way. Marion thought she would be the first one to pass away since she is older but she outlives her husband. She later dies in the most interesting way as she is finishing to paint piece of work which Jonathan was painting when he got the cardiac arrest. The story has such interesting ending. Jonathan and Marion have fulfilled the promises they made to each other since he comes back for her and they end up happy together even after death.

This book published in 2016 is an overview of various stages we undergo in life and the challenges we face in our daily lives. It is educative story that life is not a walk in the park. We should be ready to take it as it comes.

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Breaking Sandcastles
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Like Vingel's review? Post a comment saying so!

[LKCooper]

Great review, but you gave away the ending!! Maybe you can revise that so you don't spoil it for the rest of us? I appreciated your comments on the flashbacks, sounds like they are handled well.

[Naval Aulakh]

Great review, but you gave away the ending!! Maybe you can revise that so you don't spoil it for the rest of us? I appreciated your comments on the flashbacks, sounds like they are handled well.

I agree. The ending of the book should not have been revealed in the review. Otherwise, it's a good review.