3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Bounding up the Steps by Dave Transue is a fictional novel that centers on Jack Curran and his political career. It is in the form of an autobiography that is based on a diary he kept throughout his life. It allows us into his past, where we get to be witnesses to all his highs and lows.
I really loved seeing how passionate he was about politics even from a young age. His dedication and drive was an inspiration to me, and hopefully other readers. Seeing the disruption in his family life was a bit sad, however, it is a reality that most persons face on a daily basis. It was also good to see that he stuck to his ambitions and didn't let his struggles drive him off his chosen path.
One of the things I loved the most in this entire novel was just how much his wife supported and stood by him. From his accounts, he was a workaholic who put her and their relationship last many times. Imagine having your husband driving to work to drop off a document while you are in labour in the car. It takes a very strong and determined woman to be able to stay in a situation like that. Although I admired his wife for staying I was a bit conflicted due to the sort of treatment she endured. I am a firm believer that neglect is toxic in any relationship.
I didn't have many issues with the novel; however, there were moments where I was very confused. There were no obvious errors noticed while reading, however, I was forced to reread portions of the book just so I could understand what was being discussed, especially in the beginning. I loved just how much research went into doing this book. Although at some points I thought there was too much information, it was still good to see that the author was well educated.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars because although it was a good book, there was just too much information that I thought was not relevant in many areas. It killed my momentum reading the book most times because I would get really interested, but then would be burdened down with information I thought was unnecessary. I would recommend this book to persons who love political novels, or autobiographies. It is a very good book for book clubs as there are many points that could be discussed. There are mentions of sexual abuse which could be a trigger for some people; especially ones originating within the family.
******
Bounding up the Steps
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Mouricia25's review? Post a comment saying so!