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.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Fiction Review

Beyond Peleliu
by Peter D Baird
ISBN-10: 1893660125
Review by Heather Froeschl

Who feels the consequences of our choices? Certainly not just ourselves, but our children, grandchildren, friends, acquaintances, co-workers and those that could have been all of those things to us. These consequences sometimes beg to be acknowledged, but mostly they become a part of us and everyone involved, for better or for worse. In Peter Baird's novel, "Beyond Peleliu," readers become aware of the influences that four generations have on one another and those that surround their lives.

Tom McQuade lost his parents early in his life but the influence they had on him was nearly insurmountable. His drive to become a doctor, a surgeon, became his purpose. He fulfilled that purpose and excelled. World War II took him away from his young wife, a Christian Scientist, magician, and dedicated mother to their son David. The island of Peleliu took away a part of his being and purpose. The decisions he made in the throes of war would affect his life but it was the influence of his own decision that influenced the lives of those around him in ways he could never have imagined.

When Tom returns to civilian life and for the next fifty years, all whom he loves are affected by his decision. Will David be able to break the cycle? This book is about finding one's self, admitting to your mistakes, growing and learning from life. It's about a war, a deadly childhood disease, politics, law, physicians, and faith. It is about the interactions we crave, those we regret, and those that never got to be.

This novel is captivating, personally touching and thought provoking, and very well written. The plot is tight and obviously well thought out. The characters are alive, with beating hearts and busy minds, drinking problems and human desires. I could not put it down and suspect that every reader will feel the same. I certainly hope so.

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