Review of The Fish House
Posted: 22 Jul 2023, 03:36
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Fish House" by G L Rockey.]
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
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
