Review by Heather Keller -- Searching For Paradise
Posted: 26 Aug 2017, 10:29
[Following is a volunteer review of "Searching For Paradise" by T.L.Hughes.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Going into this book, I had the expectation that it would be along the lines of “Travels with Charlie” by John Steinbeck. Youth is not just a journey for those beginning on life, but a journey that connects us across generations. The main character reminisces through nostalgic waves that are romanticized by the journey of youth as he reflects on looking back at those beginning steps. While, this book did not follow the expected search for America, or take us on the collective journey of how we as a collective society progressed to the modern age. “Searching for Paradise” takes the reader on a journey through self-reflection on past relationships, experiences, and assessment of one’s own choices and the road those choices take us down.
In the beginning, the book did leave a little reading whiplash between the then and now of the main character analyzing the past in the exact same moment as sorting out the choices of the present that would determine the crossroads of the future, it was quickly easy to follow the pattern and keep up. If a wish list for this novel existed it would be to request a spinoff story regarding the friends from the younger days such as Larry. How does one come to the idea that in order to sleep properly on the roof, one must be tied to the chimney? The stories of the secondary characters were fascinating, such as when Kerry meets Clint Eastwood leaving the reader talking to the book with a gesture of ‘do go on’.
Throughout the book, the wording and writing style were captivating and transported the reader along the ride for a cross country adventure during the 1970s. This novel should come with a disclaimer to not kindle at a red light or you’ll find yourself being honked at and not in a way that would make Collette smile. Lucas and Duncan balance the main character well reminding the reader of those two best friends in high school or college that would be down for late night talks and random drives to the beach.
At the end of a life shaping adventure, there is always a little let down not wanting the journey to be over with. The characters the reader will meet along the way will stay with you long after the end of the novel. The best part of this book, is although it is set in the 1970s and follows a generation that is often associated with being disengaged with the modern generation, this novel does an amazing job bridging that gap and taking the younger readers on the adventure of their parents allowing them to feel as though they have a better understanding of life in America for someone who stood in their place.
While the novel did not give me the Steinbeck journey I had in my mind, it did allow me to journey alongside of family members and understand them better. Everyone has a beginning, a middle and an end. I rate this novel four out of four stars as it is a perfect summer beach reading novel. We are all searching for paradise and T.L. Hughes helps guide you through the journey. A journey guide for every generation.
******
Searching For Paradise
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Heather Keller's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
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Going into this book, I had the expectation that it would be along the lines of “Travels with Charlie” by John Steinbeck. Youth is not just a journey for those beginning on life, but a journey that connects us across generations. The main character reminisces through nostalgic waves that are romanticized by the journey of youth as he reflects on looking back at those beginning steps. While, this book did not follow the expected search for America, or take us on the collective journey of how we as a collective society progressed to the modern age. “Searching for Paradise” takes the reader on a journey through self-reflection on past relationships, experiences, and assessment of one’s own choices and the road those choices take us down.
In the beginning, the book did leave a little reading whiplash between the then and now of the main character analyzing the past in the exact same moment as sorting out the choices of the present that would determine the crossroads of the future, it was quickly easy to follow the pattern and keep up. If a wish list for this novel existed it would be to request a spinoff story regarding the friends from the younger days such as Larry. How does one come to the idea that in order to sleep properly on the roof, one must be tied to the chimney? The stories of the secondary characters were fascinating, such as when Kerry meets Clint Eastwood leaving the reader talking to the book with a gesture of ‘do go on’.
Throughout the book, the wording and writing style were captivating and transported the reader along the ride for a cross country adventure during the 1970s. This novel should come with a disclaimer to not kindle at a red light or you’ll find yourself being honked at and not in a way that would make Collette smile. Lucas and Duncan balance the main character well reminding the reader of those two best friends in high school or college that would be down for late night talks and random drives to the beach.
At the end of a life shaping adventure, there is always a little let down not wanting the journey to be over with. The characters the reader will meet along the way will stay with you long after the end of the novel. The best part of this book, is although it is set in the 1970s and follows a generation that is often associated with being disengaged with the modern generation, this novel does an amazing job bridging that gap and taking the younger readers on the adventure of their parents allowing them to feel as though they have a better understanding of life in America for someone who stood in their place.
While the novel did not give me the Steinbeck journey I had in my mind, it did allow me to journey alongside of family members and understand them better. Everyone has a beginning, a middle and an end. I rate this novel four out of four stars as it is a perfect summer beach reading novel. We are all searching for paradise and T.L. Hughes helps guide you through the journey. A journey guide for every generation.
******
Searching For Paradise
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Heather Keller's review? Post a comment saying so!