Official Review: A Tale by the Telling by Saxby Barnabas

[almhere]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Tale by the Telling" by Saxby Barnabas.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Where might you find aliens, endangered birds and missing husbands all blended into one being? A Tale for the Telling lets you into the thoughts of the main characters, Myra, Kaya, Stanford, Rathford, MJ, the Colonel, and the Asian, as they piece together their histories. Time is a fluid concept in the book, allowing the characters’ motivations and recollections to be fluid, as well. The story is a bit disjointed at first, but as the book progresses, it all begins to fall into place.

Themes of loss and striving characterize the story. Each character must face their past to understand their present. Smell and taste are anchors that keep the characters tied to their previous lives, as do some physical objects. Associations to previous experiences are vague to begin with, though the feelings are still intense. As the characters’ lives are played out, those associations and the link to current events become more clear, though no less intense. Losing those you love, finding a long lost love, the fulfillment of dreams, the shattering of expectations; all come into play as the reader discovers more about each character.

I enjoyed watching the characters’ poignant histories unfold. The writing was a bit obtuse at times, and I was left with a sense that the story was not completely clear. But I appreciate the latitude the
author gives the reader to interpret the given details. Even summarizing this book is difficult because each reader will have the opportunity to take the impressions and form them into a more complete history.

I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. I found it hard to get involved in the story at the beginning because it was a bit confusing both in word choice and in story structure; but I was fully engrossed by the end. If the book had continued another chapter or two for each character, more definitively exposing the storyline and explaining some of the relationships, I would have been inclined to give it a full 4 stars.

I recommend this book for adult readers. There are some mature descriptions, and the writing style could be difficult to follow for younger readers. Readers who prefer a linear, clear storyline may not enjoy the story. But, while I can’t place it cleanly from general fiction into sci-fi or fantasy, fans of stories that make you wonder and think will enjoy this book.

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A Tale by the Telling
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Like almhere's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Cee-Jay Aurinko]

I enjoy books that have some food for thought. Great review, almhere!

[zaynab_m]

Thanks for the awesome review! Sounds like a good book, but perhaps not for me.