Review of The Glorious Beast!
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Siddhesh_P
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Review of The Glorious Beast!
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Glorious Beast!" by Scott L.Chally.]
"The Glorious Beast" by Scott L. Chally is a very complex narrative, for it includes elements of comedy, suspense, thriller, action, drama, romance, political intrigues, and religion. The events depicted in that book tell us about two boys, Ricky and Jimmy, from the school bench to their splendid careers in a successful business and their mingling with a mob cartel. The Glorious Beast is the entire story—the sequence of events those young men have experienced from the beginning till the end.
Scott L. Chally’s writing style is straightforward and unpretentious, reflecting the author's personal experiences and challenges with dyslexia. The prose is descriptive and detailed, particularly in character interactions and development. Chally's ability to weave complex themes and diverse genres into a cohesive story is commendable, even if the execution sometimes feels uneven.
The story’s progression from schoolyard incidents to high-stakes business dealings and mob interactions keeps readers hooked. The unexpected turns and the blend of different genres create a dynamic and unpredictable narrative. Chally excels at crafting relatable and multidimensional characters. Ricky and Jimmy’s friendship and their growth from adolescents to successful business owners are portrayed with depth and realism. The fusion of a coming-of-age story with elements of crime thrillers and speculative fiction is refreshingly original.
There are many characters, and their movements and stories vary greatly, so the plot of the book is not without drawbacks in terms of construction. However, it is worth noting that it does not affect the quality of the book in any way; it simply seems that the author could have approached the structuring of his narrative in a more organized way. I feel that overall, the novel would have benefited if the prose had been more polished; some passages of Phyllis Wheatley’s story felt a bit forced.
In my opinion, “The Glorious Beast” was a novel like no other. I found it to be a mixture of a grand adventure and heartwarming tribulations, a beautifully written tale about two young people who were not bogged down by the world’s expectations. I had never seen a more innocent and touching depiction of friendship as the one between Ricky and Jimmy, and I truly appreciated their enterprising spirit. Lastly, I found the father’s struggle with his bipolar disorder and the path to self-belief redemptive, and it made me think. There was nothing that I disliked about the book. It is exceptionally well-edited. There were no grammatical errors. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Overall, I believe that “The Glorious Beast” was a daring, all-but-dangerous piece of art. It is not fully polished, but perhaps it was not meant to be. Its heart, boldness, and honesty keep the reader engaged.
******
The Glorious Beast!
View: on Bookshelves
"The Glorious Beast" by Scott L. Chally is a very complex narrative, for it includes elements of comedy, suspense, thriller, action, drama, romance, political intrigues, and religion. The events depicted in that book tell us about two boys, Ricky and Jimmy, from the school bench to their splendid careers in a successful business and their mingling with a mob cartel. The Glorious Beast is the entire story—the sequence of events those young men have experienced from the beginning till the end.
Scott L. Chally’s writing style is straightforward and unpretentious, reflecting the author's personal experiences and challenges with dyslexia. The prose is descriptive and detailed, particularly in character interactions and development. Chally's ability to weave complex themes and diverse genres into a cohesive story is commendable, even if the execution sometimes feels uneven.
The story’s progression from schoolyard incidents to high-stakes business dealings and mob interactions keeps readers hooked. The unexpected turns and the blend of different genres create a dynamic and unpredictable narrative. Chally excels at crafting relatable and multidimensional characters. Ricky and Jimmy’s friendship and their growth from adolescents to successful business owners are portrayed with depth and realism. The fusion of a coming-of-age story with elements of crime thrillers and speculative fiction is refreshingly original.
There are many characters, and their movements and stories vary greatly, so the plot of the book is not without drawbacks in terms of construction. However, it is worth noting that it does not affect the quality of the book in any way; it simply seems that the author could have approached the structuring of his narrative in a more organized way. I feel that overall, the novel would have benefited if the prose had been more polished; some passages of Phyllis Wheatley’s story felt a bit forced.
In my opinion, “The Glorious Beast” was a novel like no other. I found it to be a mixture of a grand adventure and heartwarming tribulations, a beautifully written tale about two young people who were not bogged down by the world’s expectations. I had never seen a more innocent and touching depiction of friendship as the one between Ricky and Jimmy, and I truly appreciated their enterprising spirit. Lastly, I found the father’s struggle with his bipolar disorder and the path to self-belief redemptive, and it made me think. There was nothing that I disliked about the book. It is exceptionally well-edited. There were no grammatical errors. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Overall, I believe that “The Glorious Beast” was a daring, all-but-dangerous piece of art. It is not fully polished, but perhaps it was not meant to be. Its heart, boldness, and honesty keep the reader engaged.
******
The Glorious Beast!
View: on Bookshelves
