Review of So-so

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

[Following is a volunteer review of "So-so" by Nicholas A. Ventura.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Title: SO-SO
Author: Nicholas A Ventura

The title, SO-SO, may seem flippant, but it's a clever irony that reflects the depth of emotion described in this literary masterpiece by Nicholas A Ventura. This book is a true literary delight, a work of art that I have no hesitation in awarding a full five stars. Despite the often hopeless and pessimistic tone, the elegance of his prose is a testament to the author's exceptional literary prowess. He seems to have lost the love of his life and is facing the future with a rigid and sad acceptance, a theme that adds to the book's literary value.

There are three sections: prose, poetry, and short stories, each with its own style and tone. He looks at his life and describes it with emotion and has a keen sense of what's around him. I note that he is obsessed with endings, with the words Death, Hell, Fate, and Destiny all beginning with capital letters. There are tastes of other cultures, such as Ancient Greece, Mexico, and others. Even as a young child, he felt emotions more deeply than most.

If you have a couple of hours, this book of prose and poetry will draw you in, engaging you in the protagonist's emotional journey. Our protagonist presents his emotions on a plate for us to view and dissect. Don't expect an uplifting or superficially romantic book, as there are some very dark moments.

The reader might notice a slight lift in mood in the hugely enjoyable 'short stories' section at the end, followed by some illustrations that are part of his journey and straight from his soul.

The chapters and sections were the perfect length: short enough to prevent tedium yet chock-a-block with emotion. I found the editing perfect. Well done, Nicholas Ventura. I enjoyed sentences such as:

'Horizon became noon again.'

I recommend a readership of young adults and older.

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So-so
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