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Judith S. (Binghamton, NY)
Best Read of 2016
Mr. Cluchey's book is terrific and the best I've read this year. I do read a lot. The author has put so much of himself into this book I can't imagine he has anything left and yet I'm looking forward to more. The plot is interesting and easy to follow. What makes the book special is the skill the author has in blending social and political commentary, philosophy and historical vignettes into the story with ease. The book is enjoyable, unusual, thought provoking, funny, heady and filled with great dialogue. I also enjoyed the fact that the chapters were not formulaic and short as is the case in many modern novels
…more - some long, some short depending on the content. Reading this book is similar for an art film in that it requires active thought by the reader as opposed to just taking the reader for a ride. So looking forward to more from this author. (less)Leo Brice meets Fiona Maeberle and he becomes alive! Life with Fiona is perfect and Leo believes it will last forever. But of course, it doesn't! Leo is no longer alive without Fiona, and so Cluchey takes us on a journey with Leo to find out just what is being alive all about. It takes a death row prisoner to help Leo find out what life is really about. Considering the topic one wouldn't think the novel would be entertaining, but Cluchey does entertain the reader with Leo's over the top depression at losing Fiona, describing his wacky friends and Leo's despondency. But this is not a frivolous novel. Michael
…more Tiegs supplies the meat to this novel. Through the interaction with Michael, a death row prisoner, Cluchey provides Leo the opportunity to explore deep philosophical ideas about what death is, and by understanding death, what life is all about. (less)I love the author's writing style. I love that he uses words I had to look up without seeming pretentious. I love that he writes conversation that sounds like some that I've had and would love to have with his characters! The story is somewhat common, guy gets girl, guy loses girl, guy is sad, guy decides to wax philosophical with a death row inmate. Okay, that last part isn't so common. The book is funny, sometimes deep, and very, very human.
Asha
Olam Ha-ba
So very grateful to have received this advance reader copy from BookBrowse.
A very satisfying philosophical book with simple truths about existence; life/death and the protagonists development from a college freshman to a lawyer who joins a non-profit that advocates for those on death row.
The story follows Leo, who having lost the love of his life staggers through the devastation, and finally comes to terms with this loss. The theme of eternal recurrence is often mentioned.
The protagonist's Jewish heritage and various ecclesiastical discussions of the Abrahamic religion and finding your Aolam Haba (the world to
…more come) was very interesting ... I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it, to both believers and the non-believers. (less)This is about love and loss and life and not in that order. There are many layers to the story and I enjoyed them. In many ways this could be the story of many people. As with the main character, we all fall in love, many get badly hurt and still find a life, as he does also. There is more to this book, but you really have to read it..it is beautifully written story that moved me. I hope it does the same for you.
Patricia G. (Dyer, IN)
Infinity and Beyond
Meeting Leo Brice, new-fledged lawyer and broken-hearted lover, was an experience. He gained my sympathy for his all out devastation when soulmate Fiona betrays him to pursue an advance to her acting career in the arms of a shallow fellow actor. But he gained my respect in his futile attempt to save the self-taught religious guru Michael Tiegs. His journey to discover meaning in life and death is handled tenderly and philosophically by author Dan Cluchey. I was caught up time and again in Cluchey's mastery of language, and I was moved to see Leo stumble through his evolution with humor and sincerity and humanity.
Dorothy G. (Naperville, IL)
A quirky, interesting read.
The writing style in The Life of The World to Come is different...sometimes confusing, but more often intriguing. The characters are quirky with many endearing qualities. I found it an easy read, though had to stop and look up the meaning of several words I'd never heard before...good to learn new things. While I agree somewhat with other reviewers that the main character was a bit self-indulgent, I rooted for his well being and happiness throughout. The description of his breakup was so personal that it left me feeling raw and sad. Overall, a very interesting and introspective book. I will look forward to his next book.
Susan S. (Lafayette, CA)
A great premise
This author can really write, in that the book is full of wonderful individual sentences. I liked the premise, I loved the beginning, and I was delighted by the ending. I am giving this four stars rather than five, though, because for me it bogged down a little bit in the middle.
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