Review: Riveting, Thought-Provoking, Intense!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 24, 2013
Melissa Pearl's Before is nothing short of amazing. They say the teen years are the rebellious years and for Dale, fighting against the limitations and rules set by his parents could turn into a life changing nightmare he will live with for the rest of his life, if he isn't careful. Dale is the rebel of the family, the one who never seems to measure up to what others expect of him,so why bother? Pushing the limits as far as he dares and then pushing a little beyond that is his only release from his own feelings of failure that he sees mirrored in his parents' eyes. The more they threaten and restrict, the more devious and reckless he becomes, until one night changes his life forever.Ms. Pearl has nailed this snapshot of two generations failing to really communicate. She has breathed life into Dale with her words. His thoughts, his feelings and his frustrations are spot on, as are those of his parents, who fail find the right path to take with him. Ms. Pearl raises an interesting question, how honest should parents be about their pasts?Filled with all of the inner angst of being a teen who wants to loved for who he is, not what he should be, this brief novella has as much to offer as tomes many times larger.I received this copy from Indie Inked in exchange for my honest review.