Review of Beyond the Higher Ground
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Tabuya Dube
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Review of Beyond the Higher Ground
[Following is a volunteer review of "Beyond the Higher Ground" by Thomas A. Brigger.]
Beyond the Higher Ground by Thomas A. Brigger is a historical fiction story set in Wells County, in South-Western Virginia. The book, narrated in third person, follows the life of Tucker Mason, a construction project manager at Bright’s Mountain building site where his employer, Doenitz Building Company, is building a prison. Tucker moves into the area for eighteen months whilst the construction is going on and opts to live at a house near the construction site. There, he grapples with peculiar encounters and threats from hostile neighbours who do not want him to stay there. In spite of all this, he decides to remain there, which puts his very life in jeopardy.
In time, Tucker becomes accustomed to the seemingly eccentric mannerisms of the local folk who do not like outsiders. He soon warms up to the place and its people, developing strong bonds with some of the locals, such as Verna, Jeff, and Cecil. Tucker soon realises that all is not well in Wells County. Many of its inhabitants have been affected by drug abuse, and the book explores the negative impact of drug and substance abuse on communities and families. It is a heart-stopping moment when Tucker has an unpleasant encounter with the murderous members of a drug cartel.
I immensely appreciated the great lengths the author went to build credible characters. This made it easy to relate to the characters, particularly Tucker. I became vested in his life and personal struggles. In spite of having had a traumatic childhood and recently experiencing tremendous loss, Tucker is able to look past his own struggles and be there for Melanie.
I was particularly fascinated by the author’s descriptions, which made the book come alive for me. The animated descriptions of Wells County, and its inhabitants, captured the forlornness of the landscapes of a place in crisis, buckling under the weight of economic decline and drug abuse.
The rather long sentences made the book a somewhat slow read. This may have been made worse for me because of the fact that I was reading from a mobile app. Furthermore, I felt that the ending was rather abrupt. I would have liked to see Tucker Mason embark on a quest to overcome his demons and find redemption.
Beyond the Higher Ground is well-written, with hardly any errors. I have awarded it 4 out of 4 stars. The book would be a great fit for people who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of mystery and suspense.
******
Beyond the Higher Ground
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Beyond the Higher Ground by Thomas A. Brigger is a historical fiction story set in Wells County, in South-Western Virginia. The book, narrated in third person, follows the life of Tucker Mason, a construction project manager at Bright’s Mountain building site where his employer, Doenitz Building Company, is building a prison. Tucker moves into the area for eighteen months whilst the construction is going on and opts to live at a house near the construction site. There, he grapples with peculiar encounters and threats from hostile neighbours who do not want him to stay there. In spite of all this, he decides to remain there, which puts his very life in jeopardy.
In time, Tucker becomes accustomed to the seemingly eccentric mannerisms of the local folk who do not like outsiders. He soon warms up to the place and its people, developing strong bonds with some of the locals, such as Verna, Jeff, and Cecil. Tucker soon realises that all is not well in Wells County. Many of its inhabitants have been affected by drug abuse, and the book explores the negative impact of drug and substance abuse on communities and families. It is a heart-stopping moment when Tucker has an unpleasant encounter with the murderous members of a drug cartel.
I immensely appreciated the great lengths the author went to build credible characters. This made it easy to relate to the characters, particularly Tucker. I became vested in his life and personal struggles. In spite of having had a traumatic childhood and recently experiencing tremendous loss, Tucker is able to look past his own struggles and be there for Melanie.
I was particularly fascinated by the author’s descriptions, which made the book come alive for me. The animated descriptions of Wells County, and its inhabitants, captured the forlornness of the landscapes of a place in crisis, buckling under the weight of economic decline and drug abuse.
The rather long sentences made the book a somewhat slow read. This may have been made worse for me because of the fact that I was reading from a mobile app. Furthermore, I felt that the ending was rather abrupt. I would have liked to see Tucker Mason embark on a quest to overcome his demons and find redemption.
Beyond the Higher Ground is well-written, with hardly any errors. I have awarded it 4 out of 4 stars. The book would be a great fit for people who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of mystery and suspense.
******
Beyond the Higher Ground
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Without Redemption by David Griffith
