Review: A modern day 'It's a Wonderful Life'
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 22, 2013
If I could describe this book to you in one sentence, I would say it's a modern day `It's a Wonderful Life'.John T. Sonne begins his story talking about the career issues that Alan Sorenson is battling.  He's driven by his ego and his pride, which proves to be the kiss of death for him.  Living above his means, raising two children that are spoiled more by material things than by fatherly love; Alan's life is typical of too many North Americans.Things change when he suddenly loses his work-six-days-a-week-away-from-home job.  Since he's driven by pride, he chooses not to share this news with his loving wife or his children.  Instead, he scrapes together whatever cash he has on hand and checks into a seedy motel, in hopes that he'll land his next big job before anyone is the wiser.Between the lies, ducking cover and job searching, Alan finds himself knocking on a door just to make enough cash so he can feed himself and keep the dream alive.  The door that he knocks on turns out to be that of a factory, but not just any factory, Alan has encroached upon a magical place that will change his life forever.John T. Sonne has done a marvellous job of creating a Christmas miracle story that we can all relate to in some way.  The working class has become so fixated on spending less quality time with family, and more time either behind a desk or behind some electronic gadget, that we've forgotten what it's like to be real with each other.  This story pulls that reality into view.The Suit had a few spots in the middle where it became somewhat draggy, and there were some editing errors, but I held on and I'm glad I did.  The ending was very interesting and imaginative.Here are a few excerpts from the story I particularly enjoyed:"People worked, but not at the expense of enjoying each other.  He sensed a sincerity in the conversations that was sadly unfamiliar.""Alan laughed as he imagined what a few weeks, even days, would do to his utopian view of his new place of employment.""Good. Don't ever be afraid.  Not if you want to leave here with everything you came with still attached. If you are ever afraid, stop.""Work is supposed to feed a soul not eat it.""One thing I've learned, Alan, we are all pretending to some degree.  Makes no difference whether you are president of the United States, a school bus driver, or a doctor, we are all trying to be something we are not or trying not to be something we are."