Review by kdstrack -- Life Before by K.L. Romo
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kdstrack
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Review by kdstrack -- Life Before by K.L. Romo
[Following is a volunteer review of "Life Before" by K.L. Romo.]
4 out of 4 stars
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In her novel, Life Before, author K.L. Romo presents the story of two women who lived in different centuries. Through time travel, they are able to connect. This book is written in the first person point of view. Elaine presents her life situation from the year 2011 and when she travels to the early 1900's, she speaks as Eliza.
Elaine is looking for a purpose in her life. She decides to write a novel. As she begins writing, she is mysteriously transported back in time. She finds herself in Dallas, where she is able to relive the life of a young woman named Eliza Darling. Elaine realizes that Eliza was a real person when she uncovers information about her at the local library. She discovers that Eliza willingly entered the life of a prostitute when her mother belittled and humiliated her. After several years, she leaves this life and makes it her life’s mission to free other girls from prostitution.
The story presents in vivid details the life of a prostitute in the early 1900’s. Young girls entered this type of life by different means. Some were tricked while others were kidnapped. Some, who were able to enter nicer bordellos’s, went into this life willingly. While many were involved in propagating this lifestyle, others were passionate about freeing these girls from this type of slavery.
The story presents a connection between Elaine and Eliza. Even though Elaine has not been a prostitute, she has done something that she is ashamed of and that has caused her profound grief and depression. This is a sentiment she shares with Eliza. Both Elaine and Eliza also make efforts to help others who find themselves in a situation that destroys self-esteem and self-worth.
Using the main theme of prostitution, the author invites us to consider the life and attitudes of modern day young women. Are women still making choices that destroy their self-image and self-worth? Today we may not call it prostitution. We have named it “hooking up” and we encourage young women to participate in it when we remain silent or choose to turn a blind eye to it. Is our society any different than that of early Dallas?
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It was very well written and researched. The mood of the book was gloomy but truthful. The situations and conversations of the main and secondary characters are very believable. The author did a wonderful job of presenting a situation and truths that we generally choose to ignore. This story makes us learn and think about prostitution then and now. The alternating of time periods was interesting and also well done.
This is a serious work that presents a difficult situation many women experience. It could be helpful material for people who are researching women studies as it presents different situations and choices that cause women to believe their life has no worth. It includes many graphic details of the things these young girls and women lived through. It was hard to read at times and would not be recommended to younger readers. It might helpful for older teenage girls, with adult guidance, to be aware of this reality and the long-term consequences of certain choices.
******
Life Before
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4 out of 4 stars
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In her novel, Life Before, author K.L. Romo presents the story of two women who lived in different centuries. Through time travel, they are able to connect. This book is written in the first person point of view. Elaine presents her life situation from the year 2011 and when she travels to the early 1900's, she speaks as Eliza.
Elaine is looking for a purpose in her life. She decides to write a novel. As she begins writing, she is mysteriously transported back in time. She finds herself in Dallas, where she is able to relive the life of a young woman named Eliza Darling. Elaine realizes that Eliza was a real person when she uncovers information about her at the local library. She discovers that Eliza willingly entered the life of a prostitute when her mother belittled and humiliated her. After several years, she leaves this life and makes it her life’s mission to free other girls from prostitution.
The story presents in vivid details the life of a prostitute in the early 1900’s. Young girls entered this type of life by different means. Some were tricked while others were kidnapped. Some, who were able to enter nicer bordellos’s, went into this life willingly. While many were involved in propagating this lifestyle, others were passionate about freeing these girls from this type of slavery.
The story presents a connection between Elaine and Eliza. Even though Elaine has not been a prostitute, she has done something that she is ashamed of and that has caused her profound grief and depression. This is a sentiment she shares with Eliza. Both Elaine and Eliza also make efforts to help others who find themselves in a situation that destroys self-esteem and self-worth.
Using the main theme of prostitution, the author invites us to consider the life and attitudes of modern day young women. Are women still making choices that destroy their self-image and self-worth? Today we may not call it prostitution. We have named it “hooking up” and we encourage young women to participate in it when we remain silent or choose to turn a blind eye to it. Is our society any different than that of early Dallas?
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It was very well written and researched. The mood of the book was gloomy but truthful. The situations and conversations of the main and secondary characters are very believable. The author did a wonderful job of presenting a situation and truths that we generally choose to ignore. This story makes us learn and think about prostitution then and now. The alternating of time periods was interesting and also well done.
This is a serious work that presents a difficult situation many women experience. It could be helpful material for people who are researching women studies as it presents different situations and choices that cause women to believe their life has no worth. It includes many graphic details of the things these young girls and women lived through. It was hard to read at times and would not be recommended to younger readers. It might helpful for older teenage girls, with adult guidance, to be aware of this reality and the long-term consequences of certain choices.
******
Life Before
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Latest Review: Kennedy's Revenge by Stephen L Rodenbeck
