Review of JTs World

[Manapo Mohapi]

[Following is a volunteer review of "JTs World" by E. Alan Fleischauer.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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No good deed goes unpunished in this last segment of E. Alan Fleischauer's western fiction. Set after the American Civil War, JTs World portrays love and revenge surrounding the main character, JT Thomas, who makes enemies each time he tries to help. Meanwhile, JT cannot get over his sweetheart, Annabelle. He finds it difficult to forget her as JT believes Annabelle is reincarnated and alive as something else. However, his family is more optimistic though. His daughter, Madeline, believes it only takes one woman to charm and changes JT's feelings. JTs World depicts a man's journey to overcome his grief, for his fiancee, by burying himself in work, only to be saved by an unlikely woman.

The book is a bit disappointing for a western novel. Fleischauer fails to include the description of the western landscape as known from western novels, the gruesome and violent gunfights between cowboys. The plot involves JT arriving in town, meeting a woman, being involved in a gunfight then continuing off with his journey. JT does not often display his gun skills or his authority as a rancher, which makes the script less memorable. Earlier in the book, Fleischauer cuts back and forth between JT and Madeline's stories, within a chapter. I did not appreciate it and I would lose interest.

The book needs editing. In this fictional book, I found Fleischauer's writing style difficult to capture my attention. In his effort to create JT's love story, he gives out repetitive descriptions and explanations for JT's loss. Although necessary, it creates confusion and requires more effort to read. In the end, JT comes off as needy and lacking confidence, which is unlike most cowboy characters.

I recommend the book to first-time western readers. It gives a glimpse of the western genre and what they are all about. The book also requires mature readers as Fleischauer's writing is complex. It is more informative. It requires patient readers who will not be put off by the excess explanations.

I give JTs World a 3 out of 4 stars for the effort to emulate western books. However, the book lacks the description of the beautiful landscape of the midwest, a rancher's life, and cowboys known for western books. I recommend it if you are exploring the western genre. It is a fairly good book. Fleischauer tries but does not necessarily accomplish creating the main conflict. For this reason, I rate the book 3 out of 5 stars amongst the best books ever.

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JTs World
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