Review of Roadbuilders

[Misael Carlos]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Roadbuilders" by E I Lenart.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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A stunt goes wrong, resulting in Dale Caraway being paralyzed from the waist down. The accident leads him back to his parents' home as he ponders a lifetime in a wheelchair. He dislikes any offer of help from anyone. His present condition makes him a bitter man; he does not want anything which reminds him of his job as a stuntman. He accepts the bleak future ahead.

Jake Wilder is a poet, but to augment his needs he settles to ghost-writing. He yearns to have a book under his name. His present client unexpectedly leads him to a friend he has not seen in years. He is shocked to learn that his high school friend has become disabled. How will Dale react if he suddenly shows at his doorstep?

Dale and Jake: two unlikely friends with basically nothing in common but a dream. What happens when they meet again after such a long time? Roadbuilders by E I Lenart presents two men's road to a new beginning as they strive to achieve their dreams, despite the odds continually pushing them back.

The author's narrative was very engaging; it was effortless visualizing Jake as he looked around a huge library; I could feel his every emotion as things did not go his way. I could empathize with Dale's frustrations and bitterness; some emotions were relatable, and they brought back memories. I enjoyed the conversations between Jake and Dale; they were natural and the author's narrative felt like I was there in their midst witnessing their exchanges. Furthermore, the characters were relatable. They could be your friend, sibling, or parent. Reading the novel was akin to watching a movie. I could imagine Dale and his newfound friends as they practice swimming.

Roadbuilders was uplifting. It communicated many positive values and perspectives. It was more than about friendship. One particular value that resonated so strongly in this story was determination. It tackled love on varying levels and in many forms. The author presented common issues, but the author made the story special and heart-warming; I lost some tears a few times as I read on. There was also dry humor in some parts, and they made me laugh. The other characters were not just accessories; each had a distinct personality and a significant role to play in the lives of the main characters. Each seemed to serve as a catharsis to Jake or Dale, and because of this, the story flowed beautifully. How Lenart was able to connect all the characters like puzzle pieces coming together to form one whole beautiful picture was utterly amazing. Furthermore, the book was informative about topics like paralysis and alternative healing.

On the downside, there were minimal grammatical errors, mostly on the use of punctuation marks. I observed some words that should be capitalized and a few vague statements.

Roadbuilders by E I Lenart is not just an engaging book; it is a beautiful novel. The minimal grammatical errors led me to believe the book was professionally proofread, affording me a smooth reading experience. Thus, I give it 4 out of 4 stars.

If you are into stories about self-love and friendship, this is spot on. But if you are into a more exciting genre like action or suspense, look elsewhere.

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Roadbuilders
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[Amy Luman]

I, myself, am what some would call disabled. I can truly relate to Dale. Thanks for a great review.

[Novela book]

This is relatable as well as realistic story to people who go through similar situations as well as who are disabled. I really liked idea behind this book of fulfilling one's dream despite the odds. A great book. Thanks for the review.

[MsH2k]

This sounds like a lovely book. I was mesmerized by the cover—I was so taken by the butterflies that I didn’t even notice Dale (I’m assuming) at first. It looks like he is observing their new form, perhaps preparing for his transformation as well.
Thank you for your engaging review.

[Kira Bonita Reece]

The book sounds very inspiring and uplifting. I can imagine what Dale goes through after being paralyzed especially since he had led a very active life. Thanks for the review