I have added a review for another novel to my site, and I am happy to designate it as a recommended read. The review follows, and it may also be accessed on the “Recommended Reads” page of my site.
Happy reading,
Terry
OPERATION NEUROSURGEON by Barbara Ebel, Literary Fiction, 264 pages
A UNIQUE DEPICTION OF LIFE AND THE HUMAN SPIRIT:
First a disclaimer: As a reader I am also an author, hence my reviews are critical, but I do not post reviews for anything read I consider less than an excellent or exceptional work. I do not wish to saddle any author with a less than favorable review.
Upon starting my read of OPERATION NEUROSURGEON I was not sure this novel by Barbara Ebel would meet my criteria as excellent or exceptional, but it has. The first chapter left me in a quandary. The chapter introduced a rare autographed book purchase by a character that… at the time… appeared to not be part of what was to follow. The book became significant as an important element, but I could not relate the importance of the first chapter until late in the novel.
As I read I wish to be able to develop empathy for characters, and it took a while for this to happen, but once it did, I was hooked. With an excellent plot I became mesmerized as I watched physical and emotional tragedy wreak havoc on a loving family. My emotions were kindled as I saw a highly regarded professional’s life fall apart due to bad choices made and circumstances beyond his control. This novel portrays life and relationships that at times are wonderful and other times become a nightmare. It shows how the human spirit can rise and fall yielding to both depression and hope.
Because this is the first book of a series, the novel ends with a cliff-hanger, yet the reader is left felling hope for the characters. I rate OPERATION NEUROSURGEON at 4.5 stars and round it up to 5 stars. I look forward to reading the second book in the series.
terrywilsonsite 