From the author of An Indelible Day: The story accompanies a single day of John C., a man of about thirty. In this short passage of time, he has three dialogues with three different people. These dialogues, certainly, have shaped his day and, likely, will exist within him eternally.
First Impressions: The writing style in An Indelible Day was a pleasure to read! The words flowed so naturally that I felt like someone was telling me the story out loud. I knew this would be a quick read, and I can honestly say I enjoyed it all the way through.
Cover and Setting: The simplicity of the cover fits perfectly with the atmosphere of the story. I like how the silhouette makes it unclear what direction the man is walking. This is especially appropriate, since John C. deals with multiple internal conflicts throughout the story, sometimes making progress and sometimes floundering in self-doubt. The story takes place in Dr. D.’s office, John C.’s apartment, and the street outside. None of these settings are vital to the story, however; the heart of this narrative is not in physical happenings, but in conversations and internal dialogues.
Plot: The plot follows John C. as he interacts with three different individuals, each of whom teach him something about himself. I was surprised by the depth of emotions in a story so short! It is perhaps unrealistic for characters to be so honest with each other about their feelings, but as a reader, I found their conversations interesting and insightful.
Characters: The main character is John C. He has clearly suffered disappointments, but even though he is confused about his place in the world, he is actively attempting to learn about himself. His conversation with Jane, the receptionist, was especially fascinating as he considered the possibility that her persona was not a reflection of her true self. I liked how he respected her instead of becoming frustrated with her as he explored this difficult topic. John C.’s conversation with Dr. D. is more brief, but no less intriguing. Dr. D. allows John C. to express his emotions without judgment, and although he doesn’t provide answers to all of John C.’s questions, he is a willing listener. Finally, John C. encounters Jasmine and finds himself caught between the past and the future. It was interesting to see how he struggled to express himself to Jasmine, whereas he was more open with Jane and Dr. D.
Final Thoughts: An Indelible Day is an thoughtful story that explores one man’s ability to relate to others. I read it in less than an hour, but it remained with me afterward, making me wonder what happened next in John C.’s life. I highly recommend this story, and I hope the author continues writing!
FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book reviewed above.
Author photograph by Stephanie Dribus
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