Review: Vacant By Evelyn R Baldwin
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 31, 2013
My Take on this Journey:Ethan is a young boy, being brought up by his father.  They have a routine life, without physical touch, companionship, without affection.  Ethan's father provides him with food, and shelter, (though they live in a poor neighborhood), but that is the extent of their relationship.  One evening, when Ethan is 15 years old, his father leaves the house for a pack of cigarettes, and never comes home.  Ethan's father is shot at point blank range, and Ethan is on his own.  He is bounced around in the system, and finally on his own at 18, when he is kicked out of the system.  Ethan gets a job, gets a cheap place to live, and begins his journey.  Ethan is a loner for the first few years, until he meets Emily.  A girl who is squatting next door.  He can hear her sobs through the paper thin walls every night.  Ethan keeps telling himself to keep his life simple, and not get involved, but there is a soft spot in his heart he doesn't even know exists.  He decides to, " pay it forward," and help Emily.  Emily's mom died, while living in a shelter, and she was left on her own.  She tells Ethan she is going to be 18, but he finds out she is really only going to be 16.  While doing paperwork to get a job, he is furious to learn her actual age.  He still can't bring himself to turn his back on Emily.  He completely relates to her circumstances, and he is there for her through and through.  He becomes gentle, kind, considerate, even loving and nurturing at times.  Though awkward, he is very careful not to give off the wrong signals.  Every nuance Ms. Baldwin describes comes through loud and clear, and puts you right there beside them.This book had me paralyzed with overwhelming sadness, and loneliness, for Ethan.  He was just walking through life, not allowing himself to think, or feel, or interact.Then Emily is thrown into the mix, and the reader has a powerful mixture of feelings.  Emily has had a tough road, yet she is always smiling, and upbeat in front of Ethan.  She is actually a scared, lost, soul, but never shows it to anyone.  Only is the darkness of night can she let herself be free to feel, while all alone.  I was completely taken in by the inner strength of this character.  I loved the way Ms. Baldwin makes her audience see the glass half full.  Emily is amazing, and she helps pull Ethan through his darkest demons, and he evolves into a loving, caring, altruistic human being.  It was wonderful to see how she innocently breaks down Ethan's walls.  He is very stoic, she is very naive, in the beginning, but the well rounded characters they become is awesome.Their life is simple, their love is strong, and the unity is beautiful.  I loved this short little novella.  Ms. Baldwin wrapped me up in their journey, and threw away the key.  I was completely involved, felt every step of their tough road, and rooted for them all the way.  The narrative for most of the novella is Ethan's perspective.  Later in the novella there is dual narration through Emily.  Ms. Baldwin wraps the story up nicely, and gives you everything she's got.  Emily becomes a beautiful, educated woman, and Ethan becomes a caring human being, still paying it forward to the end. Together they create a caring, and compassionate family unit, that communicates, and makes decisions together for the good of their family.  The growth from disfunction is prevalent at the end of the story.I love the fact that Ms. Baldwin has woven one of the most prominent challenges that our kids generation is facing today, with Autism becoming prevalent.  That is a cause that is very close to my heart.  Awareness and understanding are the key.I give this terribly lonely, outstandingly moving novella, 5 pay it forward Stars!