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In this modern age, Aurganots value their new found joie de vivre; Pelanese love commerce and business; Reminos are still dedicated to honour and glory in war; Hindarassis continue to care most about their families; and the Free People cherish their freedom above anything else. Among the Free People, a young Levon has set a high and ambitious goal: to seek and find the ultimate meaning of all that humans do. Levon has been on his intellectual quest for years, and the coming days are significant. Paratos, the sage of Gailana, is in the land of the Free People, and Levon is readying to meet him. The young man knows that something life changing will come out from this meeting, only he does not imagine what.
In this fictional first part of The Story in Three Parts, John H.T. Francis tells the story of Levon, a young and sincere soul looking for meaning in a changing world. This short novel will take you on a journey through Gailana, shows you its diversity, and brings you close to many of its human aspects. Events will develop fast on the island, and Levon is about to be in the midst of them.
At only 90+ pages, one might think this would be a quick, easy read -- one would be wrong. This literary fiction is packed full of allegorical images, some of which I want to go back for a full understanding.
It begins with the story of Levon, who is on the search for the ultimate meaning of life. Along his journey he meets people from other areas of Gailana and, at the end, comes to a much different realization than he had anticipated.
To me, the first part was the best, even though it's told in first person present - not my favorite POV. The middle of the book was the most difficult for me to understand and I'd like to spend more time in it. The last segment of the book, again, gives us an interesting look at a people that I believe serve as reflections of our own society.
The book is well-written if a bit disjointed when one is used to linear genre fiction. Don't pick it up when you are looking for a beach read, but if you are looking for a book to make you think - you might want to give this book a try.
Rating: 3.5
“Leave me the hell alone, I have no time for this right now!” A man, who looks to be in his sixties, is walking at a fast pace. Middle height, serious demeanour, round wrinkled face, thick limbs, short fingers, and carrying a pile of papers in his right arm, the old man is gesticulating with his left arm while talking back in clear frustration. A young couple, quite eager to speak with him, is chasing him down the road. The old man is Oerius, the lead historian of Gailana in our times; and the couple are Theo and Gracie, young enthused students of history.
“But you are the only one who can help us with this. Please...” Gracie says.
“We only need you to tell us where to look, and we will be out of your way forever, we promise,” Theo adds.
“As I told you many times before, I cannot help you in this matter right now. I am too busy.”
“But why?”
At that moment, Theo then Gracie manage to catch-up with Oerius and block his way. The frustrated old man, now seeing no easy way to be left in peace without answering the young couple, says with a reluctant voice, “Because there are no written recordings left of what you are looking for. I believe I am the only one who has knowledge of the subsequent events that took place.”
Oerius sighs and looks down to the ground.
“Then you have to help us, please. You have to tell us how the story ends.”
John H.T. Francis is a general thinker and writer. His main interests are in the condition of the modern man, human knowledge, and social development in our modern times. The author is universal in his calling and approach.
John H.T. Francis is the author of the trilogy The Story in Three Parts and Reflections on Fundamental Matters: Not for the Satisfied Mind. He is regularly on the move geographically and combines with his writings a career of entrepreneurship, which he hopes will one day yield similar merits in the world of action as in the world of thought.
Website: www.JohnHTFrancis.com
Blog: http://johnhtfrancis.wordpress.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JohnHTFrancis
Facebook: http://facebook.com/johnht.francis
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ReplyDeleteDo you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?
ReplyDeleteI liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your honest review!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the book blurb sounds like a great read. Entering under the name of Virginia
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great , albeit challenging, read, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review. I appreciate it.
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