4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Based upon actual events, Keith Hirshland's Big Flies is the cleverly crafted tale of a criminal mastermind and a young man's search for the truth. Leland David's father, world renowned travel guide author Chester David, has recently died. Shortly after his passing, Leland discovers that his father was a fraud who never visited the places about which he wrote, which begs the question: If Chester wasn't touring exotic locales for his books, then what was the purpose behind his numerous "business" trips? Determined to find out, Leland heads West to visit a family friend who may have answers, and discovers his father's connection to a string of unsolved, high-profile robberies.
Big Flies is one of the most unique books that I have read in some time. Although a work of fiction, this book was inspired by actual high-profile crimes that took place in the 1970s and 80s. After finishing this book, I did a little research on each heist, and I was singularly impressed with the author's ability to string the events together. Each crime was so unique that few people would connect them, but Mr. Hirshland manages to tie each one together in an original and strangely convincing way.
The book's chapters alternate between the points of view of modern-day Leland and a younger Chester. Leland's chapters begin with the heading "These Days," while Chester's are entitled "Those Days," which leaves little room for confusion. The transition between the time periods is smooth throughout the book, although some of Leland's chapters were extremely short (we're talking maybe two paragraphs), which made me wonder why they weren't consolidated within other chapters. However, this didn't happen frequently, so it wasn't much of a bother. The writing itself was quite good, with minimal, easily-fixed errors.
This story also contains a strong psychological component that drives the plot forward. I can't reveal details without including spoilers, but as a psychology major, I found this method to be highly enjoyable. On the surface, this aspect of the novel pushes the boundaries of reality (and perhaps even vaults the story into the supernatural), but the real-world element wasn't lost upon me, and I think that many avid readers would appreciate it as well. What I can say about this particular detail of the book is that it could spark some interesting discussions on perception and memory.
Big Flies is a fun and thought-provoking read, and I give it 4 out of 4 stars. I believe that those who like reading crime and mystery novels would enjoy this book, with the caveat that it isn't your typical offering from these genres. But I also believe that Big Flies has broader appeal, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good story.
******
Big Flies
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like LivreAmour217's review? Post a comment saying so!