Review of The Freedom Building
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ack2urr
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Review of The Freedom Building
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Freedom Building" by Martin Kendall.]
Like many words in the English language, the word “freedom” has several uses. The Oxford English Dictionary has a plethora of examples showing how the word can be used with slightly different meanings, like “…release from slavery…” and “…not being subject to despotic or autocratic control...” to name a few. So one can surmise that, as much as freedom is proclaimed by the masses, it doesn't necessarily mean the same thing to each individual person.
So, what exactly is freedom? In The Freedom Building by Martin Kendall, we follow the existential journey of a small town architect named John Gowan, who explores this exact question.
As the book opens we are introduced to Gowan, a mildly successful architect whose firm is located in a small English city not far from where he grew up. We quickly learn that his life hasn't quite turned out the way he had thought it would. Yes, he has a custom-built home in the country and a nice sports car, but he is alone and miserable. His wife and daughter left him years ago, he rarely goes into the office anymore, his colorful partner is better at marketing, and he only seems to design garages and blocks of flats.
However, his world is turned upside down when the Zenith building is destroyed by a terrorist's bomb. Zenith, an international company, is based in Blanworth, Gowan’s hometown. He knows it’s a long shot, but Gowan really wants to design the new building and put his mark on the city in which he was raised.
After visiting the site of the destruction a few days after the tragedy, Gowan becomes convinced that he will design the new building. In a state of euphoria, he heads home, driving recklessly. He crashes his car and is knocked unconscious.
Gowan wakes up in the hospital on what he thinks is the next day, only to find out that he has been selected to design the new Zenith building! However, to his surprise, the design of the new building is complete and construction is starting. Somehow, more than three years have passed, and Gowan remembers nothing.
Thus, the main narrative begins, and we follow Gowan’s journey to reconstruct the memories he has lost and to revel in the success which has alluded him for so long.
The plot is engaging, and we see the world through John Gowan’s eyes, with his amnesia manifesting itself in strange ways. Like the main character, we cannot tell if his colleagues or the client can be trusted, especially if they figure out he remembers nothing. The subsequent journey of self discovery for Gowan culminates in an explosion of drama.
I rate this book a 3 out of 4. The plot was creative, and the book didn’t end as expected. The overarching theme of the book, of course, is the question of freedom, but the answer is not necessarily what we would expect. Initially the book didn’t appear to have much depth to it but, upon a second reading, I discovered how the author delves deeper into Gowan’s psyche and presents his angst with nuance. The only thing that prevents this book from being a 4 out of 4 is that the characters always seem to be kept at an arm’s length. We can deduce the motivations behind their actions, but it would have been more engaging if the backstories of some minor characters, like his business partner, had been fleshed out.
******
The Freedom Building
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like many words in the English language, the word “freedom” has several uses. The Oxford English Dictionary has a plethora of examples showing how the word can be used with slightly different meanings, like “…release from slavery…” and “…not being subject to despotic or autocratic control...” to name a few. So one can surmise that, as much as freedom is proclaimed by the masses, it doesn't necessarily mean the same thing to each individual person.
So, what exactly is freedom? In The Freedom Building by Martin Kendall, we follow the existential journey of a small town architect named John Gowan, who explores this exact question.
As the book opens we are introduced to Gowan, a mildly successful architect whose firm is located in a small English city not far from where he grew up. We quickly learn that his life hasn't quite turned out the way he had thought it would. Yes, he has a custom-built home in the country and a nice sports car, but he is alone and miserable. His wife and daughter left him years ago, he rarely goes into the office anymore, his colorful partner is better at marketing, and he only seems to design garages and blocks of flats.
However, his world is turned upside down when the Zenith building is destroyed by a terrorist's bomb. Zenith, an international company, is based in Blanworth, Gowan’s hometown. He knows it’s a long shot, but Gowan really wants to design the new building and put his mark on the city in which he was raised.
After visiting the site of the destruction a few days after the tragedy, Gowan becomes convinced that he will design the new building. In a state of euphoria, he heads home, driving recklessly. He crashes his car and is knocked unconscious.
Gowan wakes up in the hospital on what he thinks is the next day, only to find out that he has been selected to design the new Zenith building! However, to his surprise, the design of the new building is complete and construction is starting. Somehow, more than three years have passed, and Gowan remembers nothing.
Thus, the main narrative begins, and we follow Gowan’s journey to reconstruct the memories he has lost and to revel in the success which has alluded him for so long.
The plot is engaging, and we see the world through John Gowan’s eyes, with his amnesia manifesting itself in strange ways. Like the main character, we cannot tell if his colleagues or the client can be trusted, especially if they figure out he remembers nothing. The subsequent journey of self discovery for Gowan culminates in an explosion of drama.
I rate this book a 3 out of 4. The plot was creative, and the book didn’t end as expected. The overarching theme of the book, of course, is the question of freedom, but the answer is not necessarily what we would expect. Initially the book didn’t appear to have much depth to it but, upon a second reading, I discovered how the author delves deeper into Gowan’s psyche and presents his angst with nuance. The only thing that prevents this book from being a 4 out of 4 is that the characters always seem to be kept at an arm’s length. We can deduce the motivations behind their actions, but it would have been more engaging if the backstories of some minor characters, like his business partner, had been fleshed out.
******
The Freedom Building
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Freedom Building by Martin Kendall
