Review: Action-Filled Story Edged with Paranoia and Fear
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 7, 2011
During the Labor Day Book Blowout, sponsored by Independent Book Collective (IBC), I discovered and purchased DISCONTENTS, written by author James Wallace Birch. The "Legal Stuff" posted at the front of the book mystified me: Were the great many notices presented on this page issued out of fear . . . or did they mirror the paranoia of the story's protagonist? With some trepidation, I finally proceeded to read the published version of Emory Walden's ordeal.The eras covered in Emory's story are twofold, presented in a seamless blending of the politically sizzling 1960s and the current, high-tension situations in which Emory Walden becomes enmeshed. Entertaining and action-filled, often edged with the paranoia and fear reflected in the opening disclaimers, the book held my attention with its effortless transitions between vital backstory and unfolding "news-at-five" style present.Sometimes it is the unexpected, tightly-written phrases utilized by an author to "show, not tell" that add power to a novel. Shortly into DISCONTENTS, I realized protagonist Emory Walden would not be receiving his fair share of respect anytime soon. As a steakhouse hostess watches the "half-sober backpacker" that is Emory enter the restaurant, Emory interprets her reaction: ". . . she gave me her disappointment with a shift of her weight." As I experienced the waitress's reaction of disapproval through the eyes of the protagonist, I developed empathy for Emory that carried through to the story's end, granting credence to the story and offering me, the reader, investment in the outcome.That empathy was put to the test, though. One instance is the street artwork Emory plasters around town, along with his opinion that the streets belong to the people and it is okay to use the outer walls of public buildings for personal commentary. If the streets belong to the people, what are the rights of the people who do not want to see graffiti?Many who read this book will feel the urge to express an opinion: about politics, personality conflicts, oil prices, or even about current protests via the Internet. It's that kind of story.