Official Review: Nobody Knows by Larry Schneiderman

[evraealtana]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Nobody Knows" by Larry Schneiderman.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Nobody Knows, written by Larry Schneiderman, is the fictionalized memoir of Jake Horton, an elderly preacher who, now suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease, reflects on his life and the many serious mistakes he feels he’s made over its course. Beginning his tale when he was an awkward Midwestern teenager struggling to catch the eye of any girl who happened to walk by, he goes on to chronicle his later acquisition of a successful business, his long-term relationships, and his calling to the clergy. Finally, Jake returns to his twilight years, when everything he has achieved – and suffered – finally comes full circle.

In the Acknowledgements section, the author affirms his many similarities with the protagonist but emphasizes that the work is purely fictional. This is fortunate, as Jake reveals several sins over the course of the text which would be unflattering, to say the least, if Schneiderman owned them himself. However, I can’t help but feel that Schneiderman’s life must have run along a similar course as Jake’s. If nothing else, the author’s own battle with Parkinson’s disease must have helped to round out the characters with the same illness, portraying them as human first and as “sick” only second, if ever. The author’s insights undoubtedly formed the foundation for the depth of feeling and meaning he brings to every affected character.

In fact, all of the characters are well-developed, albeit in their own ways. Some of the more memorable ones include:
- the prostitute who claws her way back into society and ultimately finds her true calling;
- the teenage hooligan who solves his problems with violence because violence is all he has ever known;
- the sister-in-law who was forged in the fire of her own rough family life to become by far the most loyal, supportive member of the cast; and so many more.

Even the more minor characters are fleshed out sufficiently to bring heartfelt, believable relationships to the table. The entire story seemed well-rounded, and nothing felt conspicuously unexplored.

My only criticism is that the book seemed to make promises that were never fulfilled. In the Introduction, Jake calls himself “a thief, a cheat, and a fake”, and asserts that his life was “an elaborate sham”. He goes on to claim that he spent his life deceiving everyone around him and that, through his own creativity and manipulative skill, he “managed to fool all the people all the time”. A reader would be forgiven, based on that, for anticipating that the book would be dripping with scandalous intrigue and devious behavior. However, following Jake’s one major mistake, here left undisclosed to prevent ruining the book for potential readers, his life continues in a relatively tame fashion, with only minor slips from time to time. I would venture that many people, if not most people, could say the same thing about their own lives. As I read, I kept waiting for Jake to reveal the “punch line”, the sin to end all sins, the reason he is so ashamed of himself. Instead, the book ends tidily, if, for me, somewhat anticlimactically.

Errors in the text were minor and infrequent, demonstrating good care and attention. Sex is mentioned relatively often, but not in detail. Far more prevalent in the text is Christianity; Jake is involved with the Christian church from the beginning, and although his loyalty hops from one Protestant denomination to another, he remains deeply tied to his religious roots. In the end, a total of four characters are ordained ministers or scholars of theology. Nothing about the portrayal of Christianity is offensive or rude, but faith is a strong motif throughout the work. Readers who are put off by mentions of religion should steer clear.

Nobody Knows earns a score of 3 out of 4 for its realism, accessibility, and openness on topics that are often left undiscussed. It would most appeal to lovers of family drama and life sagas, as well as patients and loved ones who are struggling with Parkinson’s disease.

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Nobody Knows
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[Cynthia_Oluchi]

I'd love to know more about this Parkinson disease. Does it really come age alone as claimed? Well, I'll find out from this book. Thanks for your opinion.

[evraealtana]

I'd love to know more about this Parkinson disease. Does it really come age alone as claimed? Well, I'll find out from this book. Thanks for your opinion.

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