Review of Flat Top Mountain Ranch -- the beginning
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Lopa Mehta
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Review of Flat Top Mountain Ranch -- the beginning
[Following is a volunteer review of "Flat Top Mountain Ranch -- the beginning" by James E Doucette.]
Presently, many countries across the world are dealing with heated cross-border disputes and skirmishes within their borders. Against this backdrop, reading the book, Flat Top Mountain Ranch: The Beginning by James E. Doucette offers a glimpse of what we can expect to go through as citizens if society remains divided on issues of political and social concern. Set in the 19th century, the book follows two men, Jack Donaldson and Tiberius (Ty) Jones, who are engaged in fighting the Civil War occurring between The Union and the Confederates in the United States of America. While Jack Donaldson is fighting for the Union, Ty, a freeborn multi-racial man is supporting the rebels. But when the war continues for more than 2 years, both Jack and Ty decide to start life afresh by travelling to the West.
The story initially focuses on their individual lives and experiences until they both cross paths, while collectively resolving a common conflict with the Indians living there. Their common distaste for violence and eagerness to start a new life causes an unlikely friendship to blossom between them. Ultimately, both men partner to set up a ranch in Texas.
As a reader, it is heart-warming to see these two war-weary men find solace in their professional and personal lives. Both these characters are a good representation of how humans can learn to be respectful towards all races and cultures. This is seen in how they choose life partners from different cultural backgrounds and in their relationship with each other. Even while describing the conflicts between the blacks and whites or the settlers and the Indians, the author has presented both sides of the story. The book gives out a clear message that human compassion should not be bound by race, as both Jack and Ty are seen making similar selfless choices even when threatened. It is inspiring to see how the aftermath of the war did not leave them bitter and instead, made them more empathetic towards others.
However, though the characters are well-etched out, the narrative falls short as the author rapidly describes event after event without letting the reader absorb the story. The matter-of-fact writing style leaves the reader feeling uninterested and unmoved by what the characters are experiencing. Also, while the author has probably included some Spanish dialogues to give an authentic feel of the region, it leaves those unversed in the language wondering whether they have missed out on any essential element of the story. For the above reasons, I would rate the book as 3 out of 4 stars as there is scope for improvement.
The book can be a good read for a beginner looking to read a wartime novel that focuses on the Civil War in the USA rather than World War II, which has already been documented in many other fiction books. It can also be picked up by someone, who has always wondered how life on a ranch pans out.
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Flat Top Mountain Ranch -- the beginning
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Presently, many countries across the world are dealing with heated cross-border disputes and skirmishes within their borders. Against this backdrop, reading the book, Flat Top Mountain Ranch: The Beginning by James E. Doucette offers a glimpse of what we can expect to go through as citizens if society remains divided on issues of political and social concern. Set in the 19th century, the book follows two men, Jack Donaldson and Tiberius (Ty) Jones, who are engaged in fighting the Civil War occurring between The Union and the Confederates in the United States of America. While Jack Donaldson is fighting for the Union, Ty, a freeborn multi-racial man is supporting the rebels. But when the war continues for more than 2 years, both Jack and Ty decide to start life afresh by travelling to the West.
The story initially focuses on their individual lives and experiences until they both cross paths, while collectively resolving a common conflict with the Indians living there. Their common distaste for violence and eagerness to start a new life causes an unlikely friendship to blossom between them. Ultimately, both men partner to set up a ranch in Texas.
As a reader, it is heart-warming to see these two war-weary men find solace in their professional and personal lives. Both these characters are a good representation of how humans can learn to be respectful towards all races and cultures. This is seen in how they choose life partners from different cultural backgrounds and in their relationship with each other. Even while describing the conflicts between the blacks and whites or the settlers and the Indians, the author has presented both sides of the story. The book gives out a clear message that human compassion should not be bound by race, as both Jack and Ty are seen making similar selfless choices even when threatened. It is inspiring to see how the aftermath of the war did not leave them bitter and instead, made them more empathetic towards others.
However, though the characters are well-etched out, the narrative falls short as the author rapidly describes event after event without letting the reader absorb the story. The matter-of-fact writing style leaves the reader feeling uninterested and unmoved by what the characters are experiencing. Also, while the author has probably included some Spanish dialogues to give an authentic feel of the region, it leaves those unversed in the language wondering whether they have missed out on any essential element of the story. For the above reasons, I would rate the book as 3 out of 4 stars as there is scope for improvement.
The book can be a good read for a beginner looking to read a wartime novel that focuses on the Civil War in the USA rather than World War II, which has already been documented in many other fiction books. It can also be picked up by someone, who has always wondered how life on a ranch pans out.
******
Flat Top Mountain Ranch -- the beginning
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Beneath the Muscle by Lauren Powers
