Review by ReyvrexQuestor Reyes -- Just Another Day

ReyvrexQuestor Reyes · Post by **ReyvrexQuestor Reyes** » 01 Jul 2020, 03:58

[Following is a volunteer review of "Just Another Day" by E. Alan Fleischauer.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Just Another Day by E. Alan Fleischauer is a compilation of delightful stories and novelettes, chosen for the moral lesson they impart, or for their being so remarkably thrilling and enjoyable. It explores human behavior from the rural setting to the urban and modern times of con men and gangsters, terroristic attacks of 9-11, and the pandemic COVID 19, among others. The fourteen literary pieces encompass so many genres. I suspect this could be the author’s exploratory way to get a feel of the various modes of writing by which he could potentially indulge in future projects. And in this regard, this novel is a testimonial to Fleischauer’s unlimited competence.

The first two stories trod on fantasy; one is about a soul that was allowed to don on physical form for visiting relatives on the account of its birthday. The other was about the wish of a factory worker to act as a harbinger of luck — sort of a fairy godmother — by endowing certain kisses chocolate with a spell or prayer that could make those who buy the chocolates partake of a very blessed day. Did it really?

In the novelette, The Chalice, a group of young men who shared an abusive past from a priest, schemed to have vengeance by obtaining a chalice of value that is about to be donated to the church. Their plan was to pose as the clergymen out to receive the donation. They acted their roles convincingly, although laid quite too thickly and humorously, yet their “holier-than-thou” put-ons passed the scrutiny of the Mistress of the house who proved seemingly the epitome of gullibility. For one thing, didn’t she know that clergymen would, on the least, be of some age because of the time it takes to study for the priesthood? The characters were skillfully fleshed out to complement each other, bringing out the brilliance of some, or the comic effect in others. This is also apparent in the other novelette, Sherlock and Tiger. The title alone hints of the cloak-and-dagger nature of the story, and it will be exciting to find out how the fumbling pregnant Tiger and the daring-do of the old-timer Sherlock all added to the duo’s versatility.

The Cracked Easter is a heart-warming story of how a jogger who was in a tight financial situation tried to collect coins he saw strewn along his path. Unbeknownst to him, the coins were part of an Easter celebration treat laid out for the children. A police patrol caught him in the act, but will the misunderstanding get settled or aggravated some more, given the notoriety of policemen nowadays?

Homeless….But Then… brings to our attention the often neglected “surplus” of the Vietnam War. These veterans often come home to a wrecked home that is at times, as wrecked as their self-esteem. They might no longer be in their right minds, estranged from society, abandoned by the government; and only the inherent humanity in them kept them going. But it is reassuring how fate changed course. How did the veteran become a presidential potential? Or did he?

I could find nothing to dislike in this assortment of stories. There is always a moral lesson to be learned from each piece. If you are looking for the feel-good experience to satisfy your sense of justice — where the good triumphs over evil — this is for you. And we may sense this lingering exhortation to do well, as the author’s religious beliefs seem apparent in the background — that just comforts us that in the face of all the tribulations in the world, a benign hand assures us that all’s well; it’s just another day, another morning; and we all could live through it.

Just Another Day is professionally edited, and written without erotic scenes, or profanity; I could readily recommend this even to young adults, of both genders, and of any genre preference. A rating of 4 out of 4 stars is well deserved.

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Just Another Day
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