Review by 5re -- Watchwords (black and white)

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5re
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Latest Review: Watchwords (black and white) by Philip Neal Gatter

Review by 5re -- Watchwords (black and white)

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[Following is a volunteer review of "Watchwords (black and white)" by Philip Neal Gatter.]
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3 out of 4 stars
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Wathcwords (black and white) by Dr.Philip Neal Gather is a book that has a very interesting concept of creation.

As a watch collector, the author comes to an idea to connect some of the watches he possesses with a story, and that is how the book was created with sixteen interesting and intriguing short stories. Every story begins with a picture of a certain vintage watch which is shortly explained and is subtly entangled in the story that follows. The stories depict some harsh human conditions like depression, suicide attempts, dementia, autism, but for every one of these conditions, there are also the reasons why they occur, like war, homosexuality, pedophilia, abandonment, alcoholism, death, or some may say vice versa.

Some of the stories have humor and sarcasm and are a delight to read, but some of them are with dark emotions, some have very profane language and depict sexual acts, but the interesting thing is that in every story the author has added a point for thinking because the things mentioned in some of the stories can really happen in life, and the final deduction of the conclusion of every story is up to the reader.

As the author mentions that there is an autobiographical thread in some of the stories, most of the stories are written in first-person. Writing about his life in England, Africa, France, the author is giving a pretty descriptive picture of the places he has been like pubs, churches, houses, hotels, the people he has met and has lived with portraying some very funny and interesting characters, the moments he has been into, emotions he has been through. Sometimes these descriptions of places and people gave me feeling that I am getting off from the subject of the story that is told, but in the end the point is there.

I liked this book. The stories are funny, amusing, dark, with a strong depiction of the human emotions, like the pain some of the characters live through life for example when facing discrimination, or prejudice, or losing the love of their life, or depicting the happiness when the goal is achieved. And have I mentioned the creative point of getting these stories in a book, the watches, the vintage watches that are very nicely mentioned through the stories in very specific moments.

I give Watchwords (black and white) 3 out of 4 stars. I recommend this book because the stories are really interesting with a point for thinking, very easy to read. The entire book seems well-edited, didn't find any mistakes, only at the end of the book at the Acknowledgment there is a red line printed out. Some stories contain profane words and inappropriate language, and sexual activities which is why I don't think it is suitable for young readers.

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Watchwords (black and white)
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