Review: What an "Education"
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 20, 2013
When I first read the book description I felt a little squeamish given the subject matter, but once I opened the book, all of that went out the window.Caroline and Sebastian met and bonded when Sebastian was a young boy and Caroline was a young wife.  Years later, Caroline moves back to San Diego, still married, while trying to continue her writing career; Sebastian is now a young (hot) man!This is a story filled with conflict.  Not only is there the conflict of Caroline and Sebastian, both in unloving situations who find each other but the struggle with what is wrong, but right.  Also, the struggle felt by the reader to enjoy the story and to pull for this relationship despite what our feelings might be about the age difference and what could be considered consenting and adult.The writing of The Education was excellent.  The story flowed well and had a really great pace.  I found it enticing from the start and it was a book that made me want to stay up reading.The story has some thought provoking ideas.  I loved the dynamic of the characters, particularly Sebastian.  He is wise beyond his years and experienced with many cruel facets of life.  He is a playful, at times, sullen teen but then he mature and very adult in his behavior, feelings, and considerations.  Author Harvey-Berrick did a great job developing the characters in this story and I found them to be easy to envision and connect with.  Some were easily loveable, while others were despicable but each was part of the storyline.  This author was very descriptive with the characters as well as locations and made it easy for the reader to imagine themselves on the beach, on a sand dune or in the kitchen.  I also found that a fantastic insight to military life, customs and rules.The Education of Sebastian was a beautiful, story about two lost people who found each other and love, but with circumstances that made their relationship something to be hidden and tragic.  Love transcends age and circumstance and I look forward to the continuing "Education" to find out if these characters are fated to be together.  Give it a try!!  4.0~Stars