Oh for goodness sakes, this is supposed to be a book about the reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot not a recap of a previous marriage, an over protective mother and the lenient parental role model that she lived with. Not to mention “the panel” made up of Andrea’s sisters that have to discuss every part of James’s life so they can come to a mutual decision on how to move forward. By page 50, the amateurish dummy-downed ramblings are enough to drive the reader crazy. Really, this should not be about the adults; this is supposed to be about a child. A two and a half year old child that is having night terrors -
“Airplane crash! Plane on Fire! Little man can’t get out!”
a child that knows what a drop tank is and that can identify a Japanese fighter by the red meatball on its side. This is a child that is not yet potty trained and cannot yet speak in full sentences, but knows things that are unexplainable.
To make the beginning of this book bearable, you will have to skim and scan the first 50 pages. Finally, when James admits that he is “little man” do the adults sit up and take notice. Maybe this will start to get interesting – took long enough.
As the Leininger’s plod along in their research and realizations, James once again seems to be left in the dust. Bruce Leininger seems more interested in proving his theories, which are running headlong into his religious beliefs, then in helping James understand what is going on with his dreams and memories.
I will admit that when the book actually got back to James, the hairs on my arms would tingle. There is something very spooky and intriguing about this story. I just wish that I knew what the true ulterior motive was for the Leininger’s. Did they want to tell their son’s story, fulfill promises to the survivors of Natoma Bay, or to pay off their debts? There was too much talk about paying bills and unemployment for me to not wonder about their true motives.
Would I suggest the book – only if you skim since there is too much side story for this to be truly about the Reincarnation of a World War II Fighter Pilot.
4 comments:
Definitely giving this a miss, Nancy.
Excellent review!
Hmm...I have a copy of this one at home. Sounds like it needs to sit on the shelves a bit longer.
Not for me. Thanks for the warning.
NANCY, I read this book and I couldn't agree more with your review of it. This is an prime example how what could have been a compelling story was made practically unreadable by bad writing. It's a real shame.
I would recommend it for someone who has been forewarned and has the patience to read through all the minute trivia about a couple of silly and self absorbed parents and pick out the story of the child that is scattered through the book in small segments.
Post a Comment