Back on Track

New reviews coming soon! I'll be importing my work from the past two years, but in the meantime,
I'm reclaiming my small place on the web.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Memoir/Relationship book Review

The Just Friends Syndrome: Memoirs of a shy guy's search for true love
by Johnny L Williams
ISBN-10: 059536618X
Review by Heather Froeschl

It's something we all fear, those words; "I just like you as a friend." The risks involved with love are well worth it, but still, deep down it is a scary thing to take the next step, take the girl's hand, write that boy a note asking the ultimate question, "Do you like me?" In Johnny L. Williams' "The Just Friends Syndrome," nine females are given the opportunity to be more than a friend, but only one takes the chance.

The book follows through adolescence to adulthood, one young man in search of love, satisfaction in life, and answering the call he has heard. Starting with his best friend's little sister, he reaches out in hopes of having a girlfriend. Through sports, the prom, college, and working as a linguist, he keeps one eye open for the possibility of love. Every one of eight girls eventually gives him the "just friends" talk. Eventually though, one woman seems to be more than just his friend.

The author classifies this book as fiction but admits that it is based on his own life story. I would call it more of a Fictionalized Christian Autobiography. This book isn't just about relationships, but rather includes the story of his school and career choices, his calling to the ministry and his mission to help a man in Mexico to translate the Bible into an as yet unwritten language, Mixtec. It is well written, with an intimate feel given the depth of emotions the author shares. It isn't often that the male perspective of feelings and vulnerability is so openly communicated. An interesting read; I enjoyed visiting the male psyche.

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