FRAGMENTS by Lesly Auerbach
Outskirts Press, Inc.
10940 S. Parker Rd - 515, Parker, CO 80134
http://outskirtspress.com/auerbachfragments
Genre: Fiction/General
ISBN: 1598004204, $12.95, 136 pp, 2006
Lesly Auerbach writes about a fictional character, Adam Lewis–the biography of a screw-up. The story is not unique . . . it could be any man’s life, and that’s the key. However, she clearly relates her insight into the dynamics of contemporary marriage and relationship problems.
What is unique is her style of writing which does not conform to all the rules and guidelines writers are supposed to follow to make it easier for the reader to follow the story. There are no chapters . . . just detached fragments . . . jumping from place to place, and the reader needs to pay attention.
In a book I read by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter, What If?, there was a chapter on 'Transitions' which suggested that ‘White Space Does Not a Transition Make’. However, the author makes her reader work, and the story is worth the effort. As one reads on and gets used to her style, it’s quite evident that there is purpose and she has something to say about contemporary relationships.
It is also quite evident that Adam Lewis has a serious drinking problem and may well be an alcoholic, which certainly would add to his general "screw-up" behavior. Do you think the author is telling us in her closing paragraph that Adam has finally found AA?
"Now what? I sit here drinking black coffee, smoking maybe my millionth cigarette–I can’t give up everything–telling you fragments of my life, knowing that some of you will think they make up my whole story somehow. The problem with that, though, is that it’s never the whole story."
To whom would I recommend this book? . . . to readers looking for an interesting writing style, to readers interested in contemporary relationship dynamics, to readers interested in real life.
Lesly Auerbach is an honest writer and whether you like the subject matter or her style of writing, her honesty shines through–the heart of a great writer. She lives and writes in Southern California, and Fragments is her debut novel–an exceptional first effort. She is currently working on her second novel and a poetry collection.
Reviewed by Kaye Trout - May 19, 2006 - Copyright
10940 S. Parker Rd - 515, Parker, CO 80134
http://outskirtspress.com/auerbachfragments
Genre: Fiction/General
ISBN: 1598004204, $12.95, 136 pp, 2006
Lesly Auerbach writes about a fictional character, Adam Lewis–the biography of a screw-up. The story is not unique . . . it could be any man’s life, and that’s the key. However, she clearly relates her insight into the dynamics of contemporary marriage and relationship problems.
What is unique is her style of writing which does not conform to all the rules and guidelines writers are supposed to follow to make it easier for the reader to follow the story. There are no chapters . . . just detached fragments . . . jumping from place to place, and the reader needs to pay attention.
In a book I read by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter, What If?, there was a chapter on 'Transitions' which suggested that ‘White Space Does Not a Transition Make’. However, the author makes her reader work, and the story is worth the effort. As one reads on and gets used to her style, it’s quite evident that there is purpose and she has something to say about contemporary relationships.
It is also quite evident that Adam Lewis has a serious drinking problem and may well be an alcoholic, which certainly would add to his general "screw-up" behavior. Do you think the author is telling us in her closing paragraph that Adam has finally found AA?
"Now what? I sit here drinking black coffee, smoking maybe my millionth cigarette–I can’t give up everything–telling you fragments of my life, knowing that some of you will think they make up my whole story somehow. The problem with that, though, is that it’s never the whole story."
To whom would I recommend this book? . . . to readers looking for an interesting writing style, to readers interested in contemporary relationship dynamics, to readers interested in real life.
Lesly Auerbach is an honest writer and whether you like the subject matter or her style of writing, her honesty shines through–the heart of a great writer. She lives and writes in Southern California, and Fragments is her debut novel–an exceptional first effort. She is currently working on her second novel and a poetry collection.
Reviewed by Kaye Trout - May 19, 2006 - Copyright
posted by Kaye | 8:50 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home