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Happy Summer, LYF! blog readers!
This time, I’m bringing you TWO book reviews- because I just read both of them recently and can’t stop raving about either one!
I highly, HIGHLY recommend both of Neil Abramson’s books (Unsaid, and Just Life). I couldn’t put either one of them down.
The first, Unsaid, is the author’s debut novel. Abramson introduces us to veterinarian, Helena, who recently passed away. Helena is afraid to enter heaven, fearing that all of the dogs she’s ever euthanized will be there, waiting for her, judging her for her actions- did she wait too long? or set them free too soon? Instead, Helena spends her time drifting through the lives of her loved ones- her husband, her coworkers, her friends, observing their day-to-day lives and how they learn to live without her. We are introduced to a variety of other players in the tale- her husband, the powerful attorney, her partner at the veterinary practice, a friend and colleague from Helena’s veterinary school days… a friend and her troubled young son- and how they all come together as a family in Helena’s absence. The story gets more involved when the friend and former colleague, who works with chimps teaching and studying their ability to communicate with humans, gets in trouble while trying to spare the chimp from being surrendered to an animal testing program. I won’t spoil the rest, but it’s a really great read, and those of you who read Theresa Rhyne’s books about animal testing and the Beagle Freedom Project, will really appreciate the message.
Just Life, Abramson’s second novel, is even better than the first! It completely blew my mind. I can honestly say I have not ever read writing on par with anything like his work. Again, the main character is a veterinarian. Samantha has lost her veterinary practice, and has opted to run an animal shelter. She’s facing the end of her lease on the property, which the city isn’t going to renew. A rival veterinarian seems to be stirring the pot, in regards to that particular issue. In the midst of figuring out what to do with all of the dogs she’s been caring for, there’s also an epidemic making children in the area sick, and the city decides to cordon off that immediate area, including the animal shelter, and then sets their sights on blaming dogs for the spread of the virus. Things become politically charged, and very heated as frustrated citizens are required to surrender their dogs for testing. A supporting cast of adorable and whimsical canines, and host of other troubled, broken characters who all have a role to play rounds out the tale. Again, the author has a poignant message with regard to politics, animal testing and a certain hotbutton vaccine issue, and manages to skillfully weave it all together into an action-packed page turner that will leave the reader speechless. It is honestly one of the best things I’ve read in a long time. Neil Abramson has a real knack for taking today’s very serious issues, and burying them deep within fictional stories, writing in such a way that leaves the reader feeling they have learned something of great significance.
I hope you read both, and let us know what you think!
Jennifer Casula is a certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer. She enjoys reading, working out, and studying dog training/behavior. Jennifer has two cats, two turtles, and three dogs, one of which is a new puppy- 4-month old Rhodesian Ridgeback, Kal, joined the family 9 weeks ago, after the sudden passing of Leo (also a Rhodesian Ridgeback), who would have turned 10 years old this past May. Leo passed away on April 6th, 2016, and is greatly missed. The couch just isn’t the same without his 90-lb body taking up most of the space.
