Review by Galinzoga -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
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Review by Galinzoga -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
It is easy to tell when you are reading an experienced author, the ideas and descriptions flow naturally, the structure feels logical and there is no need for a complex narrative. You’re absorbed by the story and then the magic happens; you’re in a different world, living someone else life, being a rebel thirteen year old girl following orders of strangers or a passionate Russian scientist crossing an ocean because your father´s last wish. Strong Heart is that and more, Charlie Sheldon, like a modern Jack London, make you one of his characters and put you in the middle of wonderful landscapes and violent and exciting scenes.
Virtually any reader would enjoy this wonderful work: adults, young adults or teenagers. It is easy to feel identified with at least one of the characters, since these are constructed realistic and complex. This book is for the casual reader as well as the experienced one, no matter if you´re interested in North American anthropology or you only want to enjoy a book in a raining day.
A mood of relaxation is established from the first chapters, amazing nature descriptions are kept constant while the characters are presented. After the first part of the book where the main line of events is introduced, a second story is narrated by one of the main characters, creating a different plane with a different narrative style. This part of the book is defined by the use of symbolisms; almost like poetry, allusions to many subjects are described, all related to nature: the moon and sun positions, the female sexuality, conflicts between tribes and with ancient predators. The author keeps you between two realities, you’re being attacked by long fang cats in one page and facing a gun cannon in the next one.
Like a pair of bear’s yellow eyes, the author hypnotize and guide you into an amazing adventure. Two different worlds are built in the same place in space but in different eras, analogies between both worlds glue the whole picture, using as a pivot the mountains and the human behavior. Information and scientific data about the ice ages, anthropology investigation, geography, astronomy, ancient cultures and artefacts could be found in each chapter; nevertheless, this never feels boring or out of place. All facts are interesting and well attached to the main subject. The whole book is about dualities and contrasts, an interesting debate about two points of view take part in one of the main chapters: a positivist perspective of a foreign scientist against the beliefs, legends and traditions of a local native. The feelings and backgrounds of both parts are underlined in the discussion, a balance is presented and the author makes the reader a judge.
There were no found any grammar errors of any kind. Is evident the high quality edition of the book, nothing but the result of hard work. Also, quite violent scenes are described in some parts, but not exaggerated or overemphasized so couldn’t be considerate as inappropriate.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It’s a breath of fresh air with beautiful landscapes and memorable characters, but at the same time tension in your back and neck whit colorful and fast fights. You can feel the speed and the confusion, with many things and reactions happening simultaneously. This author describes calm and serene situations as well as the violent ones, doing the same with every chapter ending, you urgently want to know what would happened next. This book is nothing but an exciting story that would keep you on the edge of your reading chair.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
It is easy to tell when you are reading an experienced author, the ideas and descriptions flow naturally, the structure feels logical and there is no need for a complex narrative. You’re absorbed by the story and then the magic happens; you’re in a different world, living someone else life, being a rebel thirteen year old girl following orders of strangers or a passionate Russian scientist crossing an ocean because your father´s last wish. Strong Heart is that and more, Charlie Sheldon, like a modern Jack London, make you one of his characters and put you in the middle of wonderful landscapes and violent and exciting scenes.
Virtually any reader would enjoy this wonderful work: adults, young adults or teenagers. It is easy to feel identified with at least one of the characters, since these are constructed realistic and complex. This book is for the casual reader as well as the experienced one, no matter if you´re interested in North American anthropology or you only want to enjoy a book in a raining day.
A mood of relaxation is established from the first chapters, amazing nature descriptions are kept constant while the characters are presented. After the first part of the book where the main line of events is introduced, a second story is narrated by one of the main characters, creating a different plane with a different narrative style. This part of the book is defined by the use of symbolisms; almost like poetry, allusions to many subjects are described, all related to nature: the moon and sun positions, the female sexuality, conflicts between tribes and with ancient predators. The author keeps you between two realities, you’re being attacked by long fang cats in one page and facing a gun cannon in the next one.
Like a pair of bear’s yellow eyes, the author hypnotize and guide you into an amazing adventure. Two different worlds are built in the same place in space but in different eras, analogies between both worlds glue the whole picture, using as a pivot the mountains and the human behavior. Information and scientific data about the ice ages, anthropology investigation, geography, astronomy, ancient cultures and artefacts could be found in each chapter; nevertheless, this never feels boring or out of place. All facts are interesting and well attached to the main subject. The whole book is about dualities and contrasts, an interesting debate about two points of view take part in one of the main chapters: a positivist perspective of a foreign scientist against the beliefs, legends and traditions of a local native. The feelings and backgrounds of both parts are underlined in the discussion, a balance is presented and the author makes the reader a judge.
There were no found any grammar errors of any kind. Is evident the high quality edition of the book, nothing but the result of hard work. Also, quite violent scenes are described in some parts, but not exaggerated or overemphasized so couldn’t be considerate as inappropriate.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It’s a breath of fresh air with beautiful landscapes and memorable characters, but at the same time tension in your back and neck whit colorful and fast fights. You can feel the speed and the confusion, with many things and reactions happening simultaneously. This author describes calm and serene situations as well as the violent ones, doing the same with every chapter ending, you urgently want to know what would happened next. This book is nothing but an exciting story that would keep you on the edge of your reading chair.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Homeward by Denis Pickwell
