Official Review: Maybe We're All Ghosts Too by C. Downing
Posted: 28 Dec 2014, 02:07
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Maybe We're All Ghosts Too" by C. Downing.]
4 out of 4 stars
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I began reading "Maybe We're All Ghosts Too" by C. Downing at the end of a long day, thinking I would read a few chapters before bedtime. In true clichéd fashion, however, I honestly couldn't put the book down and read it in less than a day, which for me is lightning speed. "Cliched" is the last word anyone could use to describe this book. It is a thoroughly contemporary novel, with believable and relatable characters that teach the reader much about "what it is to be human".
Ashok is a young man living in London and trying desperately to scrape together a new life for himself whilst being recently constrained to a wheelchair. Whilst living daily in a haze of pain and difficulties due to his disability, he is also trying to come to terms with the tragic death of his boyfriend, Eric. The only bright spots of normality amidst his pain and loss are his role as an assistant director on an independent film, and his housemate, Kiran. While Kiran represents a future in some respects in contrast to Ashok's shattered past, Kiran too, must learn to overcome his own demons and learn about self-love more than anything else.
C. Downing's writing style is easy and fluent, and intriguing enough to grip the reader from the first sentence of the first page. Though writing primarily from Ashok's point of view, the reader does get a glimpse of Kiran's viewpoint at the end of each chapter. Where multiple viewpoints can often dilute and detract from a story, in this case, the multiple viewpoint flows, often answering questions for the reader that would otherwise be left unanswered.
While written in simple, non-pretentious language, the level of subtext and hidden messages is unbelievable. That said, I found the true nature of Eric's death, along with certain other events in the story somewhat fanciful and hard to believe, given all that had gone before. This is my only criticism, and it is a very small one. The rest of the book was so well-written and multi-layered that it was a joy to read.
More than anything, "Maybe We're All Ghosts Too" brings up the concept of "family values". Through this insightful novel, C. Downing makes the reader question the notions of "family" and "values" as separate entities, as well as a single concept. The reader is easily able to empathise with Ashok, Kiran, and several other characters, given their different situations. In "We're All Ghosts Too", C. Downing reminds the reader that humanity functions best when love tolerance and kindness are its true motivation. "Maybe We're All Ghosts Too" was truly a privilege to read. I give this novel 4 out of 4 stars.
***
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4 out of 4 stars
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I began reading "Maybe We're All Ghosts Too" by C. Downing at the end of a long day, thinking I would read a few chapters before bedtime. In true clichéd fashion, however, I honestly couldn't put the book down and read it in less than a day, which for me is lightning speed. "Cliched" is the last word anyone could use to describe this book. It is a thoroughly contemporary novel, with believable and relatable characters that teach the reader much about "what it is to be human".
Ashok is a young man living in London and trying desperately to scrape together a new life for himself whilst being recently constrained to a wheelchair. Whilst living daily in a haze of pain and difficulties due to his disability, he is also trying to come to terms with the tragic death of his boyfriend, Eric. The only bright spots of normality amidst his pain and loss are his role as an assistant director on an independent film, and his housemate, Kiran. While Kiran represents a future in some respects in contrast to Ashok's shattered past, Kiran too, must learn to overcome his own demons and learn about self-love more than anything else.
C. Downing's writing style is easy and fluent, and intriguing enough to grip the reader from the first sentence of the first page. Though writing primarily from Ashok's point of view, the reader does get a glimpse of Kiran's viewpoint at the end of each chapter. Where multiple viewpoints can often dilute and detract from a story, in this case, the multiple viewpoint flows, often answering questions for the reader that would otherwise be left unanswered.
While written in simple, non-pretentious language, the level of subtext and hidden messages is unbelievable. That said, I found the true nature of Eric's death, along with certain other events in the story somewhat fanciful and hard to believe, given all that had gone before. This is my only criticism, and it is a very small one. The rest of the book was so well-written and multi-layered that it was a joy to read.
More than anything, "Maybe We're All Ghosts Too" brings up the concept of "family values". Through this insightful novel, C. Downing makes the reader question the notions of "family" and "values" as separate entities, as well as a single concept. The reader is easily able to empathise with Ashok, Kiran, and several other characters, given their different situations. In "We're All Ghosts Too", C. Downing reminds the reader that humanity functions best when love tolerance and kindness are its true motivation. "Maybe We're All Ghosts Too" was truly a privilege to read. I give this novel 4 out of 4 stars.
***
Buy "Maybe We're All Ghosts Too" on Amazon
View hassle-free sample of "Maybe We're All Ghosts Too"