Review of Sip Lake

[Anuvedya Rajendran]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Sip Lake" by joseph basara.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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“Sip Lake” by Joe Basara is a story set in the 1970s that gives a classic vibe. The narrative highlights the trends of the time and frequently refers to progressive thinkers and writers of the era.

Each time I start to deep dive into the story, the narrative plunges into unknown waters, a different scene with different characters. The book switched from one scenario to the next with no context. That would, however, be a fantastic depiction of the human mind, given that the author was attempting to capture the quirks of the main character, Owen Cloud.  The story describes a shy, helpful, and observant young Owen, whose day-to-day life as an attendant in the local hospital is sprinkled with conversations with interesting, eccentric, and affectionate characters. All the characters have a distinct voice, with the author incorporating a good amount of humor, keeping the book engaging. Of course, the twist in the plot was unexpected, and that made me ponder over life and its purpose.
 It is a story of a transition of a young man looking for love and finding it in unexpected places. Hurtling through infatuations, and the characters' inability to express his feelings to them gave a realistic touch to the plot.
Though the narrative was a bit jittery, the book has a certain charm and is fit for light reading with original and alluring characters. Since the main character works as an orderly in a hospital, there is an abundance of exchanges with coworkers, patients, and their families. Keeping track of their names was a challenge. The romance in the book is passive, but it is an engaging book that takes you back to the 70s with apt nostalgic music citings. And so, on a scale of 5, I would rate it a 4. The book is absolutely recommended for slow, laid-back reading. Above all, it is a heartwarming story where strangers become family.

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Sip Lake
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