Review of Another Side of Reality - Dark Secrets

[Jeffrey S Brown]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Another Side of Reality - Dark Secrets" by Estella Holiday.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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The effect of nature versus nurture in defining a child’s life path is still a subject of debate. Childhood events, the physical environment, and DNA combine to form every individual, guiding their thoughts and actions throughout life. Another Side of Reality: Dark Secrets follows the life of Mimi Andrews from her birth in 1959 to her present-day self. Although a fictional story, it reads like an autobiography, describing all events in a linear manner, with no flashbacks or spoilers. Mimi recounts the impact of a stutter on a young girl growing up with limited financial means and the shame that results from these experiences. Mimi credits a miracle from God for the sudden resolution of the speech impediment. Time, hard work, and determination resolve the poverty.

Gender roles are strictly observed, with Mimi’s brothers receiving freedoms and paternal attention not granted to Mimi. She is told by her mother just how difficult their early marriage was due to their own parents’ disapproval of the match. While this helps explain Mimi’s family dynamics, it does not make them easier to bear.

After Mimi leaves her home, she experiences life-altering events that, for the most part, lead to a successful career. The United States Air Force develops her confidence and broadens her worldview. Further descriptions of her choices in work, relationships, and action would spoil the rest of the book.

Another Side of Reality: Dark Secrets compares to a high school student writing a “describe your life” type of story. The writing style is somewhat choppy and simplistic. It provides a picture of small-town life in the Deep South, insular and intolerant. The main character is surprisingly open-minded, given the cultural environment, though this is not an advantage in her family home. The book did not hold my interest very well. Exciting and dramatic events could be explored in more depth, taking advantage of the freedom afforded by fictional characters and situations. Another Side of Reality: Dark Secrets is a reasonable effort, and I rate it three out of five stars.

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Another Side of Reality - Dark Secrets
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[Kibet Hillary]

It is very sad that the despite the fictional nature of the book, it did not have much to hold your interest as a reader. I hope that the rest of the details and the lessons a reader can learn through reading the book will help overcome such downsides, though.
Many thanks for the review, @Jeffrey S Brown.