Review by issi242 -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
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issi242
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- Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
Review by issi242 -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Charlie Sheldon’s Strong Heart can be described as a special blend of adventure, mystery and coming-of-age genre features which revolves around a small group of key characters. Tom, who is 70 but remains fit for his age, is busy preparing for a major hike together with his old friend William and William’s daughter Myra, when he is suddenly landed with a new addition to the family. His ex-wife presents him with a 13 year old granddaughter called Sarah; the child of his late daughter. Against his better judgement Tom agrees to take Sarah along and the little group sets off into the wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula full of physical dangers and spiritual revelations.
The author’s choice of setting and his detailed knowledge of the landscape and history of the area makes the novel an informative and interesting read. Sheldon’s professional background lends authenticity to his description of the characters’ struggle against corporate exploitation of this untouched part of the world. Throughout the novel the author manages to link the modern world with the ancient world of mysticism through Tom’s quest of returning the artefact to the grave of his grandfather. I felt that this artefact, which is an ancient weapon, is a metaphor of our responsibility for our history and a connection to our past.
Strong Heart benefits from a tightly structured plot and is easy to read. In fact, it can be described as a real page-turner as we are kept in suspense through the various dangers encountered by the characters. Sarah’s story is the most enjoyable part of the novel. Her abduction allows us a credible insight into the struggles of survival in a world full of predators and hostile nature.
Although I respect the author’s knowledge and passion for his subject I feel that the beginning of the novel is rushed and does not allow the reader to get to know the characters properly. The prose style, largely made up of simple and compound sentences, seems repetitive, rather matter-of-fact and presents the characters in a distanced way. So, for example, Sarah’s revelation that male members of the family have made sexual advances appears to leave Tom cold, partly because he does not believe her which he reveals later on. The characters initially show little empathy for a child who has experienced rejection and abuse but it must be said that the book shows the strengthening of bonds between Tom and Sarah in the end.
Strong Heart is an enjoyable read with a worthy message about the importance of familial bonds, the preservation of our environment and the amazing tenacity and courage which have made us what we are today. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars for its strong narrative structure and the exploration of important and topical themes relevant today. Although I feel that the lack of character description and the repetitive prose style is a disadvantage, I would recommend this book to any person who enjoys adventure and historical fiction with a bit more depth.
******
Strong Heart
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4 out of 4 stars
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Charlie Sheldon’s Strong Heart can be described as a special blend of adventure, mystery and coming-of-age genre features which revolves around a small group of key characters. Tom, who is 70 but remains fit for his age, is busy preparing for a major hike together with his old friend William and William’s daughter Myra, when he is suddenly landed with a new addition to the family. His ex-wife presents him with a 13 year old granddaughter called Sarah; the child of his late daughter. Against his better judgement Tom agrees to take Sarah along and the little group sets off into the wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula full of physical dangers and spiritual revelations.
The author’s choice of setting and his detailed knowledge of the landscape and history of the area makes the novel an informative and interesting read. Sheldon’s professional background lends authenticity to his description of the characters’ struggle against corporate exploitation of this untouched part of the world. Throughout the novel the author manages to link the modern world with the ancient world of mysticism through Tom’s quest of returning the artefact to the grave of his grandfather. I felt that this artefact, which is an ancient weapon, is a metaphor of our responsibility for our history and a connection to our past.
Strong Heart benefits from a tightly structured plot and is easy to read. In fact, it can be described as a real page-turner as we are kept in suspense through the various dangers encountered by the characters. Sarah’s story is the most enjoyable part of the novel. Her abduction allows us a credible insight into the struggles of survival in a world full of predators and hostile nature.
Although I respect the author’s knowledge and passion for his subject I feel that the beginning of the novel is rushed and does not allow the reader to get to know the characters properly. The prose style, largely made up of simple and compound sentences, seems repetitive, rather matter-of-fact and presents the characters in a distanced way. So, for example, Sarah’s revelation that male members of the family have made sexual advances appears to leave Tom cold, partly because he does not believe her which he reveals later on. The characters initially show little empathy for a child who has experienced rejection and abuse but it must be said that the book shows the strengthening of bonds between Tom and Sarah in the end.
Strong Heart is an enjoyable read with a worthy message about the importance of familial bonds, the preservation of our environment and the amazing tenacity and courage which have made us what we are today. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars for its strong narrative structure and the exploration of important and topical themes relevant today. Although I feel that the lack of character description and the repetitive prose style is a disadvantage, I would recommend this book to any person who enjoys adventure and historical fiction with a bit more depth.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like issi242's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
