Review by DeniG11 -- Final Notice by Van Fleisher
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DeniG11
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Review by DeniG11 -- Final Notice by Van Fleisher
[Following is a volunteer review of "Final Notice" by Van Fleisher.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Vijay PateI has created an incredible new watch that can monitor the wearer's health, performing diagnostic tests and analyzing results with more accuracy and details than most doctor's offices can provide. The most unique feature of this amazing piece of technology is letting the wearer know when their time is up. A "Final Notice "alert is sent to let the wearer know they have just days before they pass away. What do individuals do with this information? On the positive side, it gives the person time to say their goodbyes, put things in order, or just do things they have been putting off. But there is also a negative side. If you know you wouldn't have to face the consequences, would revenge and retribution be the end result?
In Final Notice author Van Fleisher takes his readers on a journey of self-examination and ethical conundrums. With a parade of characters from all walks of life, including the creators of the device, a senator, and a nursing home resident, the moral compass of humanity is scrutinized. The legal parameters and responsibility are also examined with results that may surprise you.
Alongside the main plot, are the stories of those affected by the VT2, while weaving in a host of other current day hot button topics. Vince Fuller and his wife Trudi, are recent retirees. Their new foray into “surfing” the web is addictive and opens their eyes to many current day issues. This sparks Trudi’s dormant activist roots and (along with a few personal incidents) leads Vince to ponder his limitations and options as a senior citizen. The corruption and money involved in politics are seen through the eyes of John McAdams, as he enters the final years of his long career as a US Senator. What started as a noble cause evolved into power grabs and survival. Can he redeem himself during his last term in Congress? We are introduced to Rasha and Qasim Mehlo, recent immigrants fleeing the violence in Syria. We witness Rasha’s quick thinking and heroism during yet another school shooting. Through their new friends, Vince and Trudi Fuller, we get to know the Mehlos as intelligent and caring humans in stark contrast to the racist stereotype that so many mid-eastern people are working against.
It is impossible to not recognize ourselves and the people we know in our real, everyday lives in the characters populating this artfully crafted novel. The mundane everyday tasks and worries are familiar to all of us, and the horrific events that are also portrayed are happening all too often in the real world as well.
And so Final Notice powers on covering gun control (an NRA convention aimed at Senior Citizens going terribly wrong is a particularly memorable segment); personal vendettas; school shootings and the current fear-mongering and misinformation coming from the media and more importantly our elected officials.
Van Fleisher has created a masterful work that entertains and asks many important questions of our time. Somehow what seems like light reading is actually covering some very heavy topics. Just when the reader thinks they have a good handle on the characters and events to transpire, they are thrown for a loop. One negative comment (and it is a very small one), the author interjects himself towards the end of the novel, breaking the 4th wall. He answers an unasked question about whether a character was wearing socks with the following statement: “the author feels sorry for you but is compelled to say he was” and again not long after saying “The author was tempted…’ It was a bit awkward. This small observation aside, this book is hard to put down, and even harder to stop thinking about. I wholeheartedly recommend Final Notice and give it a 4 out of 4.
******
Final Notice
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like DeniG11's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Vijay PateI has created an incredible new watch that can monitor the wearer's health, performing diagnostic tests and analyzing results with more accuracy and details than most doctor's offices can provide. The most unique feature of this amazing piece of technology is letting the wearer know when their time is up. A "Final Notice "alert is sent to let the wearer know they have just days before they pass away. What do individuals do with this information? On the positive side, it gives the person time to say their goodbyes, put things in order, or just do things they have been putting off. But there is also a negative side. If you know you wouldn't have to face the consequences, would revenge and retribution be the end result?
In Final Notice author Van Fleisher takes his readers on a journey of self-examination and ethical conundrums. With a parade of characters from all walks of life, including the creators of the device, a senator, and a nursing home resident, the moral compass of humanity is scrutinized. The legal parameters and responsibility are also examined with results that may surprise you.
Alongside the main plot, are the stories of those affected by the VT2, while weaving in a host of other current day hot button topics. Vince Fuller and his wife Trudi, are recent retirees. Their new foray into “surfing” the web is addictive and opens their eyes to many current day issues. This sparks Trudi’s dormant activist roots and (along with a few personal incidents) leads Vince to ponder his limitations and options as a senior citizen. The corruption and money involved in politics are seen through the eyes of John McAdams, as he enters the final years of his long career as a US Senator. What started as a noble cause evolved into power grabs and survival. Can he redeem himself during his last term in Congress? We are introduced to Rasha and Qasim Mehlo, recent immigrants fleeing the violence in Syria. We witness Rasha’s quick thinking and heroism during yet another school shooting. Through their new friends, Vince and Trudi Fuller, we get to know the Mehlos as intelligent and caring humans in stark contrast to the racist stereotype that so many mid-eastern people are working against.
It is impossible to not recognize ourselves and the people we know in our real, everyday lives in the characters populating this artfully crafted novel. The mundane everyday tasks and worries are familiar to all of us, and the horrific events that are also portrayed are happening all too often in the real world as well.
And so Final Notice powers on covering gun control (an NRA convention aimed at Senior Citizens going terribly wrong is a particularly memorable segment); personal vendettas; school shootings and the current fear-mongering and misinformation coming from the media and more importantly our elected officials.
Van Fleisher has created a masterful work that entertains and asks many important questions of our time. Somehow what seems like light reading is actually covering some very heavy topics. Just when the reader thinks they have a good handle on the characters and events to transpire, they are thrown for a loop. One negative comment (and it is a very small one), the author interjects himself towards the end of the novel, breaking the 4th wall. He answers an unasked question about whether a character was wearing socks with the following statement: “the author feels sorry for you but is compelled to say he was” and again not long after saying “The author was tempted…’ It was a bit awkward. This small observation aside, this book is hard to put down, and even harder to stop thinking about. I wholeheartedly recommend Final Notice and give it a 4 out of 4.
******
Final Notice
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like DeniG11's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Rasputin's Nephew by Marc J. Seifer
