Review of The Fish House

[Chris Alex Powell]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Fish House" by G L Rockey.]

---

4 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

The Fish House is a fictional novel by G. L. Rockey. The book consists of sixty-eight chapters that follow the life of Rick Carlson, a man with a tumultuous past and a constant search for meaning in his life.
 
The story begins in Biloxi, Mississippi, where Leo Mancuso, Rick's biological father, disappears after a brief encounter with Carmella DeAngelo, Rick's mother. Left to raise Rick alone, Carmella later marries Sid Carlson, who adopts Rick and renames him. The story progresses through Rick's childhood and adulthood, delving into his pursuit of a writing career. Rick faces various challenges, from troubled relationships to financial struggles. After his stepfather's passing, Rick inherits the restaurant, and with his new partner, Julie Valach, they attempt to revive the business. However, tragedy strikes, and the story takes a philosophical turn as Rick embarks on therapy sessions with Dr. Sami Prothero, a psychologist, exploring his deepest emotions, fears, and complexities of existence. Will he find the light at the end of this winding tunnel? Readers will be enthralled as they follow Rick's pursuit of meaning in this engaging and thought-provoking book.
 
There's so much to love about this book. One aspect that stood out to me was the author's captivating writing style. The use of simple and easily understandable language and the occasional incorporation of slang created an atmosphere reminiscent of an old mafioso recounting events from his past. This narrative approach was engaging and often injected with humor, making the reading experience enjoyable. The interactions between the characters were another highlight. The therapy sessions between Rick and Sami provided a fascinating exploration of various topics, ranging from the nature of existence to discussions about God, religion, and human nature. It was intriguing to witness how the doctor derived her insights into Rick's character simply by attentively listening to him vent. The advice she offered in Chapter 55 was particularly thought-provoking. The book's moderate length was also appreciated, allowing for comprehensive plot exploration without becoming overly long.
 
However, there were a few aspects that I found less enjoyable. My least favorite aspect was the abrupt change in style from a charming and light narrative to deep philosophical insights into the protagonist's mind. It almost seemed like the book was divided into two separate parts. While both parts of the narrative were interesting, the transition between them felt somewhat jarring. Additionally, there were some formatting issues, especially with the Table of Contents, which impacted the overall reading experience. Despite these minor drawbacks, it was still an interesting and engaging read.
 
I did find a host of errors in this book. It was not professionally edited. For this reason, I deduct a single star and rate this book four out of five stars. I genuinely enjoyed this book, despite the issues I had with it; hence, I could not rate it lower. I recommend this book to lovers of fictional dramas seeking an engaging and compelling first-person narration.

******
The Fish House
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Aleesha Jarral]

Congratulations for becoming BOTD! The book seems really interesting I would love to read it.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

The Fish House by G. L. Rockey is a compelling journey through Rick Carlson's life, blending a quest for meaning with a richly textured narrative. Rockey's engaging style and the deep dive into philosophical musings during therapy sessions make this book a thought-provoking read. Congratulations on being BOTD!

[Asma Aisha Ansari]

I'm intrigued by Rick's journey of self-discovery. The blend of humour and depth, especially in therapy sessions with Dr. Prothero, promises a thought-provoking read. I'm excited to dive into Rick's quest for meaning.

[Chitra Ayengar]

A deep insight into the life of Rick who has a tumultuous past and a constant search for meaning in life. A fascinating exploration of various topics ranging from nature of existence to discussion about God, religion and human nature. A though provoking read.

[Paris Kumar]

Thanks for this detailed review

"The Fish House" weaves a captivating narrative through Rick's tumultuous life, blending themes of family, love, and self-discovery. G. L. Rockey takes readers on a profound journey, exploring the complexities of existence and the search for meaning. An engaging and thought-provoking novel.

Congratulations on BOTD

[Shashi Pratap Singh]

"Thank you for the insightful review of 'The Fish House' by G. L. Rockey. Your detailed analysis captures the essence of Rick Carlson's journey and the multi-faceted narrative. While the change in style and formatting issues are noted, your recommendation for lovers of fictional dramas adds to the allure. Looking forward to diving into this thought-provoking tale! Happy reading !

[Teresa Thompson 57]

I've read the first few pages of this book, and I agree with the reviewer. I enjoyed the light humorous style. I found a really odd error early in the book that kept me from wanting to read any further. Yet after reading this review, I am reconsidering. I am now curious about Rick's life. However, the review mentions that there are 'a host of errors' in this book and that may keep me from finishing it.

[Safia Farheen]

I am really fond of this book . The self-discovery of Rick gives a deep insight of life . The engaging story and writing style of the author is amazing. In fact ,I am not this genre person but I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Nisha DSouza]

The Fish House by G. L. Rockey is a fictional novel about Rick Carlson, who was abandoned at a young age by his biological father, Leo Mancuso. Raised by his mother Carmella and his grandparents, Rick's story moves on to his adult life and therapy sessions with a psychologist. I wasn't captivated by the storyline much, so I respectfully pass on this book. Congratulations on the BOTD!

[tarafarah7]

Today's BOTD is a fictional narrative that follows Rick Carlson from childhood through adulthood where he faces challenges and obstacles, setting him on a quest to find meaning in his life. Readers who enjoy stories of self-discovery and purpose will find this engaging. Thank you for the helpful review!

[Pranav Dewangan]

When we have a tumultuous past, we are bound to look for meaning in life. That is why it was suddenly turned from light and charming to deep philosophy as mentioned in your review. That is the way to find the truth. The premise of the book looks interesting, and I am looking forward to reading it.

[Ajain12]

G. L. Rockey's "The Fish House" weaves a captivating tale of Rick Carlson's life, skillfully blending humor, philosophy, and the quest for meaning. The author's engaging writing style, reminiscent of an old mafioso's storytelling, adds charm. While character interactions and therapy sessions explore profound topics, the abrupt shift between light narrative and deep philosophy feels disjointed. Minor formatting issues impact the reading experience. Nevertheless, it remains an interesting and engaging read, deserving four out of five stars. Recommended for enthusiasts of compelling fictional dramas.

[Bithiah]

G. L. Rockey wrote a fictional book titled The Fish House. This is an engaging biography of Rick Carlson that combines a meaningful search for purpose with a beautifully detailed story. According to the critic, the ambiance was evocative of an elderly mafioso narrating incidents from his past because of the straightforward and easily understood language used, along with the occasional usage of slang. eager to read this fantastic one. The review is written really nicely. Congratulations on BOTD, author.

[Kanishka Banga]

"The Fish House" by G. L. Rockey offers a compelling journey through the life of Rick Carlson, a man grappling with his past and in constant pursuit of meaning. This book is recommended for lovers of fictional dramas who appreciate a compelling first-person narration. One of the book's strengths lies in the author's captivating writing style. The use of simple language, occasional slang, and a narrative reminiscent of an old mafioso's storytelling make for an enjoyable reading experience.