Review of Gus

[Lucy Vera]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Gus" by Albert Dixon.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Love is an affection expressed differently by different persons. To some, it involves physical touch, a show of emotions, and sweet-name calling; to others, it involves the display of acts that depict the opposite of love.

Grandpa Willis has been hurt so much by life that he had built a wall around his heart to prevent him from loving anybody again. When his daughter finally returns home with his grandson, he realizes that he will not only accommodate his grandson in his house but also in his heart. As the day goes by, the wall he has built around his heart experiences cracks. Finally, he decides to open up his heart to loving and being loved, but he is caught up in a web of the past which he might not survive. Will the love for and from his grandson Bobby help him live and love again?

Meanwhile, Bobby's mother, Martha, made a life-changing decision by selling all her pieces of furniture in Chicago and relocating with him to her parent's place. At first, the circumstances on his grandparent's farm make him want to go back to Chicago, but soon, he realizes that it is the divine plan that he stays at the farm. He confronts racism and injustice, but they are nothing compared to what eventually happens when his uncle, Willis Junior, comes back with the intention of either getting money from Bobby's hard-headed grandfather or wiping out the entire family.

There are several positive aspects of Gus by Albert Dixon. I consider the book as an intriguing one with an enjoyable plot. The diction of the author is commendable as he tells the story in simple language while also reflecting the characters through their own words. I must also state that Dixon had seriously employed the device of suspense as the story was told in a seat-gluing form, and I couldn't help but read on to find out what happened next in the book till I got to the end. I believe this will be the fate of a reasonable reader who picks up the book. For instance, there has been suspense as to the cause of the burning of the main house on Grandpa Willis' farm, the whereabouts of Willis Junior, and even the health of Grandpa Willis after he was shot. One would want to know the final fate of Bobby and the extended family and even how the end of Gus the goose will arrive. I was anticipating the dreadful yet inevitable arrival of Willis Junior, which has been dreaded from the middle of the book till the end.

If there are any negative aspects of the book, it should be reduced to just one. There is a high use of profane words by characters in the book. I wonder what the book would have been like without characters like Grandpa Willis to control the use of profanities by those around him.

I found several errors in the book. This is an indication that the editors of the book did not do a great job. Thus, I rate the book a 3 out of 4 stars. If I had my way, I would have given this book a higher rating. This is because of the interesting and suspense-filled way Dixon had told a story of love, racism, injustice, and the supernatural.

I recommend this book to readers above the age of sixteen, considering the use of profane words in the book, which younger readers should not be exposed to. Also, this book is recommended to readers who enjoy thrilling and suspense-filled plots.

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Gus
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[Essy Nma]

UP forgiveness is as dead as death itself. I would love to know how Grandpa survived by licking his heart up towards his grandson. Thanks for the review

[Aisha Yakub]

This book has an interesting storyline. Hopefully, grandpa was able to love and fight for it. Great review.

[Precious_Nzeakor]

From your review, I can tell this is an exciting piece. Letting love into our hearts heal us but can also be the cause of greater pain.