Review of Country Club Time
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Clever Ahonsi
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Review of Country Club Time
[Following is a volunteer review of "Country Club Time" by James Allen.]
Country Club Time is a sad yet optimistic story of Jimmy, a guy entangled in the whirlwind of crime and addiction. Wait a moment and try to visualize this: a half-baked/unplanned bank heist, leading to a dramatic arrest, and then ending up in the cold, hard steel of prison. I really thought everybody could have predicted that, but not Jimmy. He thought he was going to hit the jackpot. But the kicker is that time behind bars isn't just about punishment but where his life makes an astonishing turn. The editing of the book was perfect since I couldn't find any mistakes.
If I were to point out one thing that I like to talk about, it would be the in-depth detail of the loyalty between Jimmy and Steve. Steve is one of those kinds of friends you'd want: a friend indeed, through sunshine and rain. Even during some chaotic moments, like when Jimmy suggests using a child as leverage for the robbery, Steve goes along with the plan even though he has some reservations, showing his deep and unifying loyalty to Jimmy.
The author presents both beauty and heartbreak in that very aspect of loyalty: Steve's staunch support is admirable yet at the same time his undoing. Rather than helping Jimmy climb out of the self-destructive trajectory like a true friend, he decides to get pulled deeper and deeper into crime, addiction, and that never-ending spiral of bad choices. It's so raw and emotional, a journey of capturing the ups and downs of their friendship, which could only feel painfully honest.
The way James Allen balanced light and dark in their relationship was simply brilliant and powerful. This story reminded me of how much our relationships shape us, pretty much for better or worse, and it kept me thinking about the people in my life long after I had finished the book. That's why I give this book 5 out of 5 stars: it's emotional, unforgettable, and such a testament to the skill of the author in crafting such a moving, layered story. I feel professionals working with or caring for young people might also find this book a useful tool to open up discussions about the effects that drugs and crime can have on the life of any person.
Well, to be very frank, I do not have many issues with this book, but there is one thing that I could not look past, and that is the supporting characters could be more fleshed out to enrich the narrative. More defined arcs could be given to characters like Steve, Debbie, or even the law enforcement figures that would add to the themes of the story. Giving Steve a backstory for his motivations and relationship with Jimmy would give depth to their dynamic. That is just my opinion, though, and does not affect my rating.
******
Country Club Time
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Country Club Time is a sad yet optimistic story of Jimmy, a guy entangled in the whirlwind of crime and addiction. Wait a moment and try to visualize this: a half-baked/unplanned bank heist, leading to a dramatic arrest, and then ending up in the cold, hard steel of prison. I really thought everybody could have predicted that, but not Jimmy. He thought he was going to hit the jackpot. But the kicker is that time behind bars isn't just about punishment but where his life makes an astonishing turn. The editing of the book was perfect since I couldn't find any mistakes.
If I were to point out one thing that I like to talk about, it would be the in-depth detail of the loyalty between Jimmy and Steve. Steve is one of those kinds of friends you'd want: a friend indeed, through sunshine and rain. Even during some chaotic moments, like when Jimmy suggests using a child as leverage for the robbery, Steve goes along with the plan even though he has some reservations, showing his deep and unifying loyalty to Jimmy.
The author presents both beauty and heartbreak in that very aspect of loyalty: Steve's staunch support is admirable yet at the same time his undoing. Rather than helping Jimmy climb out of the self-destructive trajectory like a true friend, he decides to get pulled deeper and deeper into crime, addiction, and that never-ending spiral of bad choices. It's so raw and emotional, a journey of capturing the ups and downs of their friendship, which could only feel painfully honest.
The way James Allen balanced light and dark in their relationship was simply brilliant and powerful. This story reminded me of how much our relationships shape us, pretty much for better or worse, and it kept me thinking about the people in my life long after I had finished the book. That's why I give this book 5 out of 5 stars: it's emotional, unforgettable, and such a testament to the skill of the author in crafting such a moving, layered story. I feel professionals working with or caring for young people might also find this book a useful tool to open up discussions about the effects that drugs and crime can have on the life of any person.
Well, to be very frank, I do not have many issues with this book, but there is one thing that I could not look past, and that is the supporting characters could be more fleshed out to enrich the narrative. More defined arcs could be given to characters like Steve, Debbie, or even the law enforcement figures that would add to the themes of the story. Giving Steve a backstory for his motivations and relationship with Jimmy would give depth to their dynamic. That is just my opinion, though, and does not affect my rating.
******
Country Club Time
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Pathway to Destiny by W. R. Reinhardt
