Monthly Archives: December 2013

One Summer (David Baldacci)

One Summer

A moment to care…

a day to share…

laughter to spare…

a memory together…

a father, whishing…

A love to celebrate…

a lifetime to partake…

a forever to accumulate…

a recollection to constellate…

a wife, hoping…..

A longing unclear…

a loathing untrue…

a grieving grudge…

a loving sentiment…..

a daughter, missing…

A bid to hold…

a devotion to mold…

a fondness so cold…

a passion so bold…

a son, loving…

A point to reconnect…

a venue to reconcile…

a spot to relieve…

a place to regain…..

a summer, a second chance…

 

That is basically what the book is all about.  A story of a husband, a wife, a son and a daughter; and that one summer, a second chance in life and love for all of them…

I am a book shopper. I go for the traditional book buying. I love books, the smell of it…the texture …as I gently flip each page while reading. For some time. I have been ignoring this book.. (David, my apology)..well you know.. human as we are..we have our favorites …and we only want to dwell around our comfort zone. Sadly though, I thought the works of David are actually outside my comfort zone. Last month after the super Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines, I was left with nothing to do (since we don’t have electricity..) so I grab a copy of his book from the bookstore (well because I have finished reading the books published and written by those within my comfort zone..) So my mission….read it… to “pass the time ” (again, my apology David)…

I was surprised to see myself not wanting to put down the book. I wanted to finish it…I wanted to savor each word written…

And well..thanks Heaven…i grab a copy of this..this is one of the most well-written novels I’ve ever read…Why?

 

1. It is visually beautiful

Although books (novels) don’t provide pictures, others will do but very minimal; David was able to create vivid pictures of the scenery in his book, Even if the places in which we will take you were all hypothetically created, still he can bring you exactly to that point.

 

2. Real – Life insights (reality in fantasy)

This novel actually carries an element of “make-believe”….however, insights were all true- to life or real-life…Something that was not made out of the blue. The wife (Lizzie) for instance believing in heaven when she was a little girl, was presented in such a way that even if you don’t believe in the concept of Heaven, you will somehow reconsider it.

He was able to combine reality and fantasy without having to sacrifice one.

 

3. He makes you feel better.

The story evolves in a husband’s struggle to fight for his life with his loving wife beside him. Unfortunately for some twisted fate, his wife died of a car – accident while on her way buying for his medicines.

The idea alone of having to lose someone is unbearable much more losing someone who you have been worried upon when you die yourself.  The point is, despite its totally heartbreaking twists of events, he always makes sure you feel better just after a particularly heartbreaking moment. You don’t need to wait for the last page to have a sigh of relief. And then of course at the end of the story, it makes you feel a lot better. It makes you appreciate life even more. It makes you wanna celebrate Christmas every day. It makes you wanna take care of your loved ones even more. It makes you wanna fall in love again. It makes you wanna learn music (if you’re not a fan of music). It makes you wanna go to the beach (even if you are not a fan of the water). It makes you wanna do things for the first time. And above all, it makes you believe in the “Power of Love”…even more

Contrary to some really sad novels when you can’t seem to get over with the emotional impact of the story; this one is different. Other sentimental novels make you feel so sad for even sometimes; this one makes you smile as you flip through the last page.

Next Mission…Book shopping. Absolute Power, Wish you Well… Total Control….all by David Baldacci

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