Review of Disturbing Dreams Of Haunting Memories

[Kutloano Makhuvhela]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Disturbing Dreams Of Haunting Memories" by Patrick William Linggard.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Disturbing Dreams Of Haunting Memories by Patrick William Linggard is a graphic psychology thriller screenplay that tackles important themes like mental illness, mental institutions, corruption, greed, and revenge. All of these themes appear in unrelated yet common events in a small, quiet Canadian town. Surprisingly, there is nothing I know about the author since they did not provide their personal information, but this anonymity brings another unexpected layer to this piece of art that is enjoyable. This screenplay is good, shocking, and weirdly satisfying.

First, meet William Big Bear, a First Nation young man in his early twenties whose heart is bleeding inside. His sister, Lily Big Bear, was brutally murdered by an unknown person, and he simply cannot get over it without some form of justice rendered to him. William tries, by all means, to forget and maybe forgive, but how can he do that when he is clueless as to who was the perpetrator of this heinous act and why? So he tries by any means to get to the bottom of this, even going to places he doesn’t like and meeting people he’s unsure about. But for his sister, he is willing to do anything.

Second, meet Charlie Jorgenson, an innocent young boy who is adored by his parents. His parents throw him a lovely party for his sixth birthday, and he is ecstatic. But he does not know that there are people there who are wishing him and his family harm. These individuals want what Charlie’s parents have for themselves. It happens that Charlie’s parents die, and through great scheming and treachery, he loses everything. There is another person by the name of Freida Bradshaw, who is the manageress of Pioneer Home and Belle Corral Nursing Home. She seems tough and strict. However, is there more to her? Is she as she looks? How do these different characters from different backgrounds affect each other?

I do not really relish reading screenplays because I think they are one of the few forms of art you will not and cannot—no matter how hard you try—enjoy because they are simply not designed to be consumed that way. Just like drama, screenplay is just the performance of the actors on stage or, in the case of the latter, on screen. So when I chose this one, I was challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone, and I am glad I did because I unexpectedly enjoyed reading it.

I love how directive it was. It directed me, as the reader, to know how to read and, in so doing, enjoy it better. The writing was informal, especially in the characters’ speeches, and I understood this because the town the story is set in is distinct and diverse. The author did indicate in the synopsis that it is filled ‘with symbolic meaning, and combines familiar landmarks, local vernacular, puckish humour.’ Meaning everything that was promised was delivered.

The characters all had motivations for their actions. Some were suffering from past abuse that went untreated, which explained their current thoughts, philosophies, and behaviour. This was in no way to excuse their actions, but to give a broader, more nuanced perspective. The characters were not flat or plain. They were bubbling with personalities. Sometimes it was challenging to separate the good guys from the bad guys. That made it more enjoyable.

I also loved the timeline switch. The story was not told in a linear progression. It went to the past, then quickly flicked to the present. This made it entertaining, as you had to pay attention as a reader to make sense of it all. The imagery was not poetic or implied. It was specific, which made everything, especially the abuse, come out strong and raw. The descriptions were revealing, and I saw what the characters were going through internally and externally.

What I disliked was the capitalisation of texts in the middle of sentences. Some I noted as errors, especially in the narration, because they made the reading not make sense. I appreciated the consistency of it because this showed they have not overlooked errors but were there to serve some form of purpose that I didn’t understand, but I’m sure others might. I loved the conclusion, which brought everything together nicely.

With everything I have said above, I think the fitting rating for this book/screenplay is four out of five stars. I would recommend it to people who love films, especially those who are curious about behind-the-scenes. This would make them feel like they were taking part in a film that’s in pre-production. It contains strong language and scenes, so it would be fitting for mature adults. It was a short read. I finished it in one sitting.

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Disturbing Dreams Of Haunting Memories
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[Martin Shae]

"Disturbing Dreams Of Haunting Memories" by Patrick William Linggard is a graphic psychological thriller screenplay exploring mental illness, corruption, and revenge in a small Canadian town. The author remains anonymous, adding an intriguing layer to the narrative. It's a shocking, satisfying, and thought-provoking piece of art.

[Amy Luman]

I can understand your reluctance to read this. It doesn’t seem very easy to understand. I am, however, intrigued by the way that everyone’s story seems to fit with the others. I don’t think that this is for me, though. Thanks!

[Idris Alooma]

Based on the review, "Disturbing Dreams Of Haunting Memories" by Patrick William Linggard seems to be a gripping and satisfying screenplay that delves into complex themes like mental illness and corruption. The reviewer mentioned enjoying the non-linear storytelling and well-developed characters. They also appreciated the descriptive imagery used throughout the screenplay. However, they noted some errors in capitalization, which affected the reading experience. Overall, the reviewer gave it a solid four out of five stars and would recommend it to film enthusiasts. Intriguing premise, captured my attention instantly.