Review of Jellybeaners

[Dheera Kalota]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Jellybeaners" by Gene Scott.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Jellybeaners by Gene Scott is a fast-paced fictional story about Kituwah Falls, a small Appalachian town in Tennessee in the United States of America struggling with drug addiction in its citizens.

The book starts with a deadly accident and is told through journal entries by the two main characters, Bo Wruck and Samantha Walker. These characters offer two different perspectives of the main problem. Other incidents involving other characters are introduced as the story progresses. The narrative reveals the real root of the problem—the drug mafia, their modus operandi, and the role of the pain management clinics.

The book focuses on how drug cartels operate their deadly business by trapping people in addiction for their own selfish gains. The families are suffering, and people are dying due to drug overdose. Those living are also not actually alive. They are caught in the vicious cycle of addiction. The story poses the question, is there any hope left? Will everything be alright, or is nothing going to change? That is the main plot of the story.

The author has written the book intelligently and with sensitivity. The story moves forward as well as backward in time to provide a complete understanding of the drug problem as well as the characters' backgrounds. As told above, the narrative explores the workings of the drug empires, their money exchanges, and their modus operandi but also goes much deeper to depict the real problem. Another great aspect of the narrative is that it represents both sides of the story.

I really admire the author's writing style. The deep portrayal of the characters and the intelligent presentation of the problem of drug abuse are impressive. The story maintains a consistently fast pace throughout the book without compromising on depth and detail.

I rate the book 5 out of 5. There is nothing I dislike in the book. The plot is compelling and thought-provoking, with deeply portrayed characters. The book was professionally edited. There were some instances of borderline and non-borderline profanity, so readers' discretion is advised.

Gene Scott's Jellybeaners is an engaging tale about a town stuck in the vicious cycle of addiction, but it goes much deeper than that. It reflects a real crisis faced by many communities nowadays.

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Jellybeaners
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[Kibet Hillary]

It was actually shocking to read the part that states that those living are not actually living, as they are trapped in a vicious cycle while the drug dealers are reaping huge profits from them. This is the reality of drug addiction, and hence the book, though fiction, is addressing real issues. Thanks for the review, @Dheera Kalota.