Review of Its Saddest Sound

[Anthony__]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Its Saddest Sound" by Pirjo Marjut Vega-Brandt.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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From the cold mountains of Finland to the upbeat modernized life of the United States and then to the air-scented dusty lands of Colombia, Pirjo Marjut Vega-Brandt recounts the crispy life of Juhani Alakoski in Its Saddest Sound, as he wisped through life's thread in pursuit of happiness. This book captures the theme of loyalty, greed, family, and love.

Juhani Alakoski, aka Jussi, had arrived in the US at the bidding of his aunty Sophie, right after finishing his military service. The American dream was within reach, and Jussi could not let it go. His first bride was Phyllis, a homecoming Queen, and Miss Boynton Beach, she had chosen him among the sea of admirers, and life was good. It wasn't long when she filed for divorce, and he moved on later to wife number two, Alicia Escobar, and then wife number three, Molly Raitanen, who gave him a child, Bethany. Molly could bear him no more fifteen years later and ended the marriage. Jussi floated from one place to another, looking for business opportunities, visiting shamans, causing heartache to family, and finally settling in the Dominican Republic, where he met Sarita Santacruz. Things were not to ever remain the same again with Jussi. Read to find out the events that enveloped Juhani Alakoski right after.

Pirjo writes with a distinctive style, starting from the middle of the story and unveiling the beginning as she works toward the end. It was somewhat confusing, but as the story ebbed on, the pieces began to fall in place and flow smoothly. However, not too smooth, as I found the characterization too hazy to keep track of. Nevertheless, there was a clear distinction between the major and minor characters alongside their contribution to the story's plot.

Despite being fiction, the story had a base of loose reality and was incredibly detailed. I relished the historical backtrack in giving a clearer picture of the ongoing scene, The author didn't weave it in excess, and I found it highly educative. There was also a fascinating unwrapping of subplots beneath the main plot about Jussi which was still somehow interlinked with the main story. For instance, the protagonist would delve into the exciting past of a character and the climax of their meeting with Juhani Alakoski, which would lead to a trail of significant events. The story was complex, with many layers, but it was fascinating. My favorite character was Alicia. Alicia had little to no reason to remain in contact with Jussi knowing his questionable behavior and narcissistic nature. Still, she availed herself in times of trouble and was ready to help even when the baggage was much to carry. Alicia proved to be kind-hearted, tolerable, and sweet, which tethered her character to my heart.

However, there are certain things I dislike about the story. Firstly, it began in utter confusion. I needed help understanding what was happening and what the story was about. It took me a while to realize that the story was about a man named Juhani Alakoski or Jussi or John Cosci. There was also the shifting of perspective from first person narrative to third person in a disorienting manner. Furthermore, the timeline was messy. It was hard to know if an event occurred at present or years later. For these reasons, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.


I recommend this story to readers of historical fiction and crime fiction. On a final note, the book was not professionally edited, as I noticed some grammatical errors.

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Its Saddest Sound
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[Kebun Bunga]

The feedback on the review for "Its Saddest Sound" provides a balanced assessment, pointing out both positive and negative aspects of the book. The reviewer appreciates the author's distinctive writing style, which unfolds the story starting from the middle and gradually reveals the beginning, although they note that it can be initially confusing. The detailed historical backdrop and the intriguing subplots are highlighted as engaging elements, creating a complex and layered narrative. The reviewer also expresses a liking for the character Alicia, emphasizing her kindness and loyalty. However, the review highlights several issues, including the confusing start, the shifting perspectives, and the messy timeline, which hindered the reading experience. The lack of professional editing and the presence of grammatical errors are also mentioned. Despite these flaws, the reviewer rates the book 4 out of 5 stars and recommends it to readers of historical and crime fiction.

[NetMassimo]

I like it when a story that is set in different periods includes at least year marks to help the reader, otherwise, it can indeed become confusing. Overall, this seems like a good mix of crime and historical fiction that needs some polishing to make it excellent. Thank you for your great review!