Review: A Riveting Book For All, Particularly Retirees!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 8, 2013
'A Hook in the Sky' is certainly a book for the ages, particularly retirement age such as my own! I don't remember having read anything like this riveting story in which I could see so many of my own issues.The writing is simple...great clarity...yet the individuals are dynamic and detailed! In a sense, Ms Nougat reminds me very much of Honoré Balzac, though certainly not that flowery, in her creation of characters who are complex, morally ambiguous and fully human. She demonstrates a keen observation of detail and an unfiltered and honest representation of society, a naturalist who sees through clear glass instead of a romantic colored lens, which is a quality Balzac always attempted to achieve.I am enchanted by this author's storytelling skills. I get the sense that in her lifetime she has devoured books of every kind, feeding voraciously on history and literature, philosophy and religious work, etc. Hers is the calm, mature voice of the all-knowing, all-seeing world traveler.In this book she addresses issues we all face as we move from the realm of reliable employment into the very daunting fog of "what do I do now?". How familiar this is to me! I always wanted to write full time, yet when faced with the possibility, a vast array of roadblocks popped up! In the matter of my marriage, it was sheer terror. I married him for better or worse...not for lunch! The author skillfully weaves the tale around these issues with masterful authority.There is no dearth of twists and turns in this book; toward the end these are completely unexpected. You find yourself holding your breath, quite literally!Claude Nougat is very much a prolific writer, and I've come to depend on her blog for educated, authentic news and opinion on world events. I'm sure you will find that if you take the time to read her, you will regard her writing as some of the best in the world today. She certainly has the chops!I heartily recommend 'A Hook in the Sky', a most compelling, artfully told story that you will remember for a long, long time!--Jo VonBargen 2013