Review of The Blue Mask

[Jimmy Russel]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Blue Mask" by Mick Burke.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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The Blue Mask by Mick Burke tells the captivating story of a group of friends who come together to form a band with the same name. As the book progresses, The band is co-founded by best friends Joel Stark and Alix Lane, who navigated the challenges of their early years, surviving through hardships. When they lose a member to drugs, they regroup and resolve to make a comeback.

A serendipitous phone call leads them to unprecedented success, leaving them to wonder if it's a stroke of luck or if a jinx follows their newfound fame. The band members evolve beyond mere friends and become a close-knit family, demonstrating the essence of true friendship through both good and bad times. Despite having faced difficulties in the past, the presence of a deadly disease now poses a new test for their bond.

There are a lot of things I liked about this book. Mick Burke pens a story that delves into life in the 1980s. I love how he portrays the reality of that era, when sex was often seen as a means to escape and when awareness of HIV/AIDS was just beginning to emerge. Like the main character, many felt invincible, believing the disease wouldn't come near them. The author's ingenuity shines as he portrays various characters and their distinct reactions to HIV/AIDS. For instance, Sue Downey, the obsessive reporter, only cares about the juicy details and disregards the victims' humanity and pain. Some seek information without showing much concern, while others, like Sherri and Hal Mason, genuinely care but lack sufficient knowledge to be of great help. Then there are those, like Alix and the gang, who stand by the afflicted until the very end. Mick's main character, Joel, starkly depicts the reality faced by most individuals living with AIDS. The storyline is enthralling, and the author's accurate depiction of emotions sheds light on the coping mechanisms adopted by both the victim and their friends. The imagery is striking, and as the story unfolds, a poignant mix of sadness, love, understanding, intimacy, and camaraderie among the characters is revealed.

My least favourite thing about the book is the tragic event with Joel, which left Alix heartbroken. However, I don't consider it a strong issue, as it is my subjective feeling. Nevertheless, I did find a lot of errors in this book. It was not professionally edited. For this reason, I deduct a single star and rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has experienced life with individuals living with HIV/AIDS or wishes to gain insight into the impact of the disease. Moreover, the book serves as an educational tool for schools, groups, and the general public, as it effectively conveys information about the dangers of HIV/AIDS through compelling storytelling.

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The Blue Mask
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[Hazel Mae Bagarinao]

The HIV/AIDS disease will not be the reason you'll be scared or avoid a person overall. I am glad this book is an insightful and educational read for individuals about this subject. Thank you for your compelling review, Jimmy!