3 out of 4 stars
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Yesterday by Samyann relates a story with a strong belief about rebirth. I am not sure whether I actually believe in the concept of rebirth, but the story was fascinating enough. Amanda Parker is the protagonist, who worries that her love causes the death of people whom she cares about. She saves a mounted policeman, Officer Mark Callahan, who was about to be hit by a train and both of them seem to know each other. As they are unable to recall when they met, they wonder if it was in their previous life. The binding factor is an old pendulum clock with loud chimes which they find in a shop. The shopkeeper, Ed Morgan, conducted first aid for Amanda when she was injured while saving Mark. Amanda buys the clock and is fascinated and pulled to it by some invisible force. Even her cat, Oprah, seems unable to take her eyes off of it.
Mary, who has taken Amanda in as a tenant ever since Amanda lost her parents, is a professional therapist. Mark asks her if she knows about regression therapy, a practice used to recall memories of past lives. She lets both Amanda and Mark know the risks and regulations of it, to which they agree. Mary begins regression therapy for Amanda, because she finds it astonishing that Amanda is so interested in the old clock. Amanda learns that she was Bonnie May Lexington in her previous life, who lived during the time of the great Chicago Fire. Along with their cousin, Jack Wellington, she is helped to flee from her home and is adopted by Penelope and Chester. Throughout her regressions, Amanda wonders if Mark existed in her previous life as well. Meanwhile, Mark finds historical records pertaining to the clock and both of them even investigate the same when they go to Charlestown for an article Amanda needs to write for her job.
I am not (and I don’t think the author is either) forcing any reader to believe in rebirth. But the story was satisfactorily fascinating. In the beginning, I found it dragging along quite sluggishly, but the pace picked up near the end. The reader’s curiosity is fed by trying to figure out Mark’s character in the previous life. Amanda tries to discourage Mark in loving her because she feels like she is a bad luck charm. She lost her mother, father, elder brother and fiancé. During her regressions, she finds similar incidences which occurred, including her nanny and his husband as well. She is afraid that Mark or Mary would also die because of her love for them. I was rooting for the pair, Mark and Amanda, to get together despite their difference in opinion.
I felt that the language at certain times was not appropriate, along with description of some adult content. I have never liked such material and so I would say the same for people who are like me. The end of the story is beautiful and I guess it’s worth it. But I think the flow at the beginning could have been better. I hope the author keeps up the good work and does the fine tuning to make it a perfect novel.
Mark is shown as a strong and confident policeman. He was thrust into the force when his father was shot and killed, resulting in him quitting medical school. But now, he does his job with pride. His love for Amanda doesn’t waver even when she says that she needs to know whether she knew him in a past life before going on. Amanda is frightened only due to the fact that her love might cause her to lose someone. Otherwise she’s portrayed as a strong woman, willing to fight and determined to win. She is loved by Mary, who is like a mother and friend to her. Her brother, Tom, along with his wife, Connie and three kids, Ron, Tru and Allie are affectionate to her as well. But none of this seemed too unrealistic; rather it felt like natural family love. Amanda has a charm of her own and is sometimes unpredictable, adding layers to the story. Her cat, Oprah, is interlaced with the storyline at the appropriate time.
Because of the reasons I mentioned, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. Perhaps with not much of a dragging storyline in the beginning and with content appropriate for all ages, it would earn full credit. The regressions bring a kind of ‘success after struggle’ feeling which is inspirational. This book is worth a read.
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Yesterday
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