Review of Everyone Needs a Companion
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Emma Ussel
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Review of Everyone Needs a Companion
[Following is a volunteer review of "Everyone Needs a Companion" by Jerry A Greenberg.]
"Everyone Needs a Companion" by Jerry A. Greenberg is a heartwarming exploration of age, companionship, and the resilience of the human spirit. This short and sweet book presents the journey of Ben Follensbey, a man in his seventies who finds himself grappling with the challenges of loneliness and grief after losing his beloved wife to pancreatic cancer.
Ben's story begins with the devastating news of his wife's illness. The book is narrated from his perspective, offering a poignant glimpse into his emotional turmoil as he copes with the impending loss of his life partner of 35 years. The narrative takes readers through his decision to retire and his eventual acceptance of his need for companionship.
One of the book's highlights is Ben's endearing bond with Buddy, the orange tabby kitten that his children gift him. Buddy becomes a source of comfort and solace, filling the void left by his wife's absence. However, even with Buddy by his side, Ben continues to grapple with loneliness.
The narrative takes an unexpected turn when Ben encounters Shirley, an eight-year-old girl, during a moment of solitude by a pond. Shirley's maturity and wisdom surprise him, leading to a series of events that introduces Ben to Harriet, an intelligent and accomplished woman. Their journey together, including a trip to Italy for Harriet's book, brings newfound purpose and meaning to Ben's life.
The book masterfully explores themes of friendship, depression, and loneliness in the context of an individual's life after the loss of a spouse and companion. It delves into the challenges of forming new connections and navigating unfamiliar territories, even later in life. The characters, particularly Shirley and Harriet, are well-developed and add depth to the story. Harriet might not feel like a typical eight-year-old girl but her representation and role in the story really works and remains believable and just plain adorable.
I can't praise its well-written narrative and engaging storytelling enough. The themes of grief, loneliness, and friendship are artfully woven into the story, highlighting the significance of companionship in one's later years. The book's examination of these themes is commended, emphasizing the value of human connection. It felt personal and soft at the same time and it was a great evening read.
For all of these reasons this book deserves a full 5 out of 5 rating on my rend. "Everyone Needs a Companion" can be read by a wide audience (excluding children). The only issues I had with this book was the length of some chapters, they didn't flow as naturally as they could have, and as such it isn't easy to go back and reference a particular passage. I wasn't able to find any particular striking error or typo, and the vocabulary chosen was always accurate and polished, so I believe it was carefully proofread and edited.
In conclusion, "Everyone Needs a Companion" is recommended for readers interested in a heartwarming tale that explores the complexities of aging, loneliness, and the transformative power of companionship. While the book may have a few minor imperfections in terms of presentation, it delivers a touching narrative that resonates with a diverse audience and offers valuable insights into the human experience. I believe older readers will truly enjoy it, but the initial loss truly hurts, so please beware.
******
Everyone Needs a Companion
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"Everyone Needs a Companion" by Jerry A. Greenberg is a heartwarming exploration of age, companionship, and the resilience of the human spirit. This short and sweet book presents the journey of Ben Follensbey, a man in his seventies who finds himself grappling with the challenges of loneliness and grief after losing his beloved wife to pancreatic cancer.
Ben's story begins with the devastating news of his wife's illness. The book is narrated from his perspective, offering a poignant glimpse into his emotional turmoil as he copes with the impending loss of his life partner of 35 years. The narrative takes readers through his decision to retire and his eventual acceptance of his need for companionship.
One of the book's highlights is Ben's endearing bond with Buddy, the orange tabby kitten that his children gift him. Buddy becomes a source of comfort and solace, filling the void left by his wife's absence. However, even with Buddy by his side, Ben continues to grapple with loneliness.
The narrative takes an unexpected turn when Ben encounters Shirley, an eight-year-old girl, during a moment of solitude by a pond. Shirley's maturity and wisdom surprise him, leading to a series of events that introduces Ben to Harriet, an intelligent and accomplished woman. Their journey together, including a trip to Italy for Harriet's book, brings newfound purpose and meaning to Ben's life.
The book masterfully explores themes of friendship, depression, and loneliness in the context of an individual's life after the loss of a spouse and companion. It delves into the challenges of forming new connections and navigating unfamiliar territories, even later in life. The characters, particularly Shirley and Harriet, are well-developed and add depth to the story. Harriet might not feel like a typical eight-year-old girl but her representation and role in the story really works and remains believable and just plain adorable.
I can't praise its well-written narrative and engaging storytelling enough. The themes of grief, loneliness, and friendship are artfully woven into the story, highlighting the significance of companionship in one's later years. The book's examination of these themes is commended, emphasizing the value of human connection. It felt personal and soft at the same time and it was a great evening read.
For all of these reasons this book deserves a full 5 out of 5 rating on my rend. "Everyone Needs a Companion" can be read by a wide audience (excluding children). The only issues I had with this book was the length of some chapters, they didn't flow as naturally as they could have, and as such it isn't easy to go back and reference a particular passage. I wasn't able to find any particular striking error or typo, and the vocabulary chosen was always accurate and polished, so I believe it was carefully proofread and edited.
In conclusion, "Everyone Needs a Companion" is recommended for readers interested in a heartwarming tale that explores the complexities of aging, loneliness, and the transformative power of companionship. While the book may have a few minor imperfections in terms of presentation, it delivers a touching narrative that resonates with a diverse audience and offers valuable insights into the human experience. I believe older readers will truly enjoy it, but the initial loss truly hurts, so please beware.
******
Everyone Needs a Companion
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Shanghai Circle by Tony Henderson
