Review by Erin -- Looking Glass Friends by E L Neve
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Erin
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Review by Erin -- Looking Glass Friends by E L Neve
[Following is a volunteer review of "Looking Glass Friends" by E L Neve.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Looking Glass Friends, by E L Neve, is a beautifully written story about the developing relationship between two acquaintances. I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars for the descriptive use of imagery in the writing, for the manner in which the characters discover life’s truths by discussing books and poetry, and for the excellent editing of the book.
Ellie is a customer at Bake 4U, where Neil works, and one day he is able to delight Ellie by giving her cream puffs he has set aside for his wife. This creates the spark, the shadow of happiness for Neil that gives him a reason to live another day. In response, Ellie gives Neil a copy of Atlas Shrugged, a book with over a thousand pages, which he feels changes his life. Although they are both already married to others, they begin sharing letters and emails related to the book and its messages about life. They eventually begin calling each other to discuss the meanings of other works of literature and how the meanings relate to the lives they are living.
What I enjoyed most about the book was the author’s descriptive writing style. As one example, the author compares Neil to glass and the fire of a glory hole, the furnace where molten glass is molded. Neil’s fire is always there, even when his wife does not notice it. I also enjoyed the way in which the author has Neil and Ellie discuss various books and poems as a way to understand life’s conflicts and choices. After reading Atlas Shrugged, Neil comes to understand that he is the meaning of his life. Ellie discusses The Cloths of Heaven, by Yeats, and tells Neil that only with him will her dreams come true. Invictus, by Henley, is used to point out to the characters that they are the masters of their own fate. They can make choices that will determine and change their futures, although they must consider the impact on others. There was nothing that I disliked about the book.
Looking Glass Friends would appeal to those who have been in a relationship and are in a position to reflect on that relationship. Those individuals would be able to appreciate the thoughts, feelings, and choices explored in the story. Despair, self-doubt, love, lust, passion, greed, unfaithfulness, and the realizations that come with finding your soul mate after you have committed to another are all masterfully explored in the story.
The powerful story allows the reader to reflect on his or her own life and recognize life’s mistakes, misdirections, and regrets. The author then highlights the choices to be made and the considerations for others involved. One must consider the self versus others. Is finding a path to happiness for yourself the best decision for all?
******
Looking Glass Friends
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Looking Glass Friends, by E L Neve, is a beautifully written story about the developing relationship between two acquaintances. I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars for the descriptive use of imagery in the writing, for the manner in which the characters discover life’s truths by discussing books and poetry, and for the excellent editing of the book.
Ellie is a customer at Bake 4U, where Neil works, and one day he is able to delight Ellie by giving her cream puffs he has set aside for his wife. This creates the spark, the shadow of happiness for Neil that gives him a reason to live another day. In response, Ellie gives Neil a copy of Atlas Shrugged, a book with over a thousand pages, which he feels changes his life. Although they are both already married to others, they begin sharing letters and emails related to the book and its messages about life. They eventually begin calling each other to discuss the meanings of other works of literature and how the meanings relate to the lives they are living.
What I enjoyed most about the book was the author’s descriptive writing style. As one example, the author compares Neil to glass and the fire of a glory hole, the furnace where molten glass is molded. Neil’s fire is always there, even when his wife does not notice it. I also enjoyed the way in which the author has Neil and Ellie discuss various books and poems as a way to understand life’s conflicts and choices. After reading Atlas Shrugged, Neil comes to understand that he is the meaning of his life. Ellie discusses The Cloths of Heaven, by Yeats, and tells Neil that only with him will her dreams come true. Invictus, by Henley, is used to point out to the characters that they are the masters of their own fate. They can make choices that will determine and change their futures, although they must consider the impact on others. There was nothing that I disliked about the book.
Looking Glass Friends would appeal to those who have been in a relationship and are in a position to reflect on that relationship. Those individuals would be able to appreciate the thoughts, feelings, and choices explored in the story. Despair, self-doubt, love, lust, passion, greed, unfaithfulness, and the realizations that come with finding your soul mate after you have committed to another are all masterfully explored in the story.
The powerful story allows the reader to reflect on his or her own life and recognize life’s mistakes, misdirections, and regrets. The author then highlights the choices to be made and the considerations for others involved. One must consider the self versus others. Is finding a path to happiness for yourself the best decision for all?
******
Looking Glass Friends
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Not 4 $ale by M.R. Biggs
