Official Review: When a conscience knocks

Yvonne Monique · Post by **Yvonne Monique** » 23 Nov 2020, 09:28

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "When a conscience knocks" by James G. Skinner.]

3 out of 4 stars

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When a conscience knocks is the story about Jenny Robertson, an English teacher, and Juan Miguel, a Spanish diplomat, who meet whilst both working in Iran. They fall in love and get married. Thanks to Juan Miguel’s job, they get a chance to work and live in countries all over the world, including Argentina, Panama, the United States and Great Britain. They regularly return to Orense, Juan Miguel’s beloved hometown in Galicia. Unexpectedly, Juan Miguel starts showing the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and Jenny undertakes the difficult task of taking care of the love of her life.

This book reads like a biography, even if it is a fictional story. I am sure that the author, James G. Skinner, uses many of his own experiences because the information provided is fully accurate. Jenny and Juan Miguel live through many historical events, such as the Air France airbus hijacking, the Falklands War and the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in New York. All these events are described in a very detailed way and give the reader a lot of historical background information. Although the blurb tells us that this story is about Alzheimer’s disease, it is not until page 168 that the Alzheimer topic appears. From that moment on, the story takes a different turn and becomes more emotional. The author did an excellent job in showing the raw reality of having lived a fascinating life and not being able to remember anything of it when the Alzheimer condition worsens.

The story is told from Jenny’s point of view. The reader gets a good impression of her feelings and thoughts. However, I missed reading Juan Miguel’s point of view as well. I know that Alzheimer’s sufferers often get very frustrated when realizing that their illness progresses, but this topic is completely omitted by the author. The language that Jenny uses is very to the point, with short sentences that often omit the subject. It felt like the sentences were translated from Spanish, as in Spanish grammar the conjugated form of the verb is enough to tell the reader who or what the subject of the sentence is. Some examples I read in the book are: “Was too upset to answer,” “Didn’t last long,” “Couldn’t help shedding a tear,” or “Soon came back to reality.” This went on, page after page, and it took me a bit to get used to this curious writing style.

The book definitely needs another round of editing. I found many spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors, some quite embarrassing (such as on page 98: cockles, muscles instead of cockles, mussels). This is the main reason that I give this book 3 out of 4 stars instead of the full 4 stars.

I would recommend this book to people who are interested in geopolitical world history, Alzheimer’s disease and people who have a general interest in Spain. I would not recommend this book to people who are uncomfortable reading a book with the above-mentioned writing style and people who do not enjoy sexual content.

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When a conscience knocks
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Unique Ego · Post by **Unique Ego** » 30 Nov 2020, 04:02

I didn't know this was fiction until the reviewer stated as much. This sounds like a gripping story of love and sacrifice. I want all the details of Juan and Jenny's story, especially after the Alzheimer's kicks in.

Mtibza eM · Post by **Mtibza eM** » 30 Nov 2020, 04:20

Challenging indeed, to love someone who has changed but it not being their fault takes a great person to be there for them. Thank you for the review

Saint Bruno · Post by **Saint Bruno** » 30 Nov 2020, 16:32

I enjoyed reading your detailed and insightful review. I would be skipping this one, though. Thanks a lot for the great review.

Eutoc · Post by **Eutoc** » 30 Nov 2020, 16:36

It's quite unfortunate that the book has some distracting errors. I hope the author makes amendments. Thanks for your honest review.

Justine Ocsebio · Post by **Justine Ocsebio** » 30 Nov 2020, 22:18

This sounds like an emotional, poignant read. I appreciate the fact that the story has accurate portrayal of the historical events. Great review!

Sou Hi · Post by **Sou Hi** » 02 Dec 2020, 22:15

Thanks for your interesting review. I would like to see the Alzheimer patient’s point of view, too. The story would be more intriguing and relatable that way, especially for those who are involved with this disease.

Dominik_G · Post by **Dominik_G** » 04 Dec 2020, 13:38

When a Conscience Knocks sounds like a sensitive and emotional book. I always appreciate novels realistic enough to almost read like biographies/non-fiction. Thank you for your great review!

SamaylaM · Post by **SamaylaM** » 07 Dec 2020, 00:03

It's good to have accurate information when reading a book so it shows that the author is dedicated. Hopefully, the editing issue will be taken care of as well. Thank you for such a broad analysis of this book. Great work!

Yvonne Monique · Post by **Yvonne Monique** » 07 Dec 2020, 15:31

Unique Ego wrote: ↑30 Nov 2020, 04:02 I didn't know this was fiction until the reviewer stated as much. This sounds like a gripping story of love and sacrifice. I want all the details of Juan and Jenny's story, especially after the Alzheimer's kicks in.

Hopefully you'll get a chance to read and enjoy this book too!

Yvonne Monique · Post by **Yvonne Monique** » 07 Dec 2020, 15:32

Mtibza eM wrote: ↑30 Nov 2020, 04:20 Challenging indeed, to love someone who has changed but it not being their fault takes a great person to be there for them. Thank you for the review

Exactly, and however great that person is, the daily struggle is real.

Yvonne Monique · Post by **Yvonne Monique** » 07 Dec 2020, 15:35

Saint Bruno wrote: ↑30 Nov 2020, 16:32 I enjoyed reading your detailed and insightful review. I would be skipping this one, though. Thanks a lot for the great review.

With the impressive amount of books you read I can imagine you won't have time for this one

. Thanks a lot for your kind comments.

Yvonne Monique · Post by **Yvonne Monique** » 07 Dec 2020, 15:35

Eutoc wrote: ↑30 Nov 2020, 16:36 It's quite unfortunate that the book has some distracting errors. I hope the author makes amendments. Thanks for your honest review.

Indeed, this would be a perfect read without the errors.

Yvonne Monique · Post by **Yvonne Monique** » 07 Dec 2020, 15:36

lavenderbooks20 wrote: ↑30 Nov 2020, 22:18 This sounds like an emotional, poignant read. I appreciate the fact that the story has accurate portrayal of the historical events. Great review!

Reading about the historical events was really interesting as they were written from an insider's point of view and not just like what we read in mainstream media.

Yvonne Monique · Post by **Yvonne Monique** » 07 Dec 2020, 15:39

Sou Hi wrote: ↑02 Dec 2020, 22:15 Thanks for your interesting review. I would like to see the Alzheimer patient’s point of view, too. The story would be more intriguing and relatable that way, especially for those who are involved with this disease.

Yes, I think that the book would have gained a bit more by showing the other point of view too. But anyhow, it was a very profound read anyhow.