Review: A Beautiful Epic Story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 6, 2013
Daniel Arcadi and Jacob Segal first met on their late teens, back in 1942, when both were part of the crews of USS Gageway, during World War 2. Daniel was Second Seaman and Jacob was pharmacist's mate. The two souls stroke a chord of friendship that soon turned into deeper relationship, when both men realized they had feeling for each other. A feeling that is so strong, that spans more than six decades ...---------------------------About 2/3 part of the book happens in the 1940's, that earlier part of Daniel and Jacob's relationship. We get to read about their connecting as two young men, serving their country. How they stumble on how to do sex for the first time, how they must keep their relationship under wrap, since situation is not really on their side. I love the tentativeness when they approach sex, both never have done it with men before, so they learn their way together. It's so sweet and wonderful.The last 1/3 part of the book tells chunk of chapters in their life, like when Jacob helps Daniel to overcome his post-war trauma, or during Stonewall, or when they finally get a cat .. each and every one of them important. It does feel slightly rushed though, because we only get one or two scenes in the 1950's, 1960's, 1980's, 1990's, and 2012. BUT, I also think it's impossible to capture ALL of the days in the sixty-nine years of their life together.It's perfectly well-written -- Kaje Harper also pens the horror of war, amidst of the love story. Chapter 7, for example, that captures the night when USS Gageway was attacked, and forced Daniel and Jacob to fight for their life in the sea -- it feels like a screenplay out of the "Titanic" movie. It's just so bloody good.Then, the ending, such sweet ending. This story brings tears to my eyes several time over. And as a reader, I can only say thank you for story ...