FAILED MOMENTS

The author sent me a copy of his novel to read and review:

In Failed Moments...is A. Robert Allen asking, “If you could, would you redo your life, how about past lives?” Is reincarnation really a possibility? Where does the soul go? Wow, this novel is intriguing and full of unanswered questions that nobody alive knows the answers, although novels, such as, Proof of Heaven (see my review of 8/10/13) written by Dr. Eben Alexander seems to think they have the answer. I believe that Mr. Allen’s approach to this subject is refreshing and dissimilar to other books on this subject. It’s almost a Pre-Novel for a cleaned-up version of Dante Alighieri’s 14th century epic poem, The Divine Comedy, without the tour. The novel is highly polished for a first-time effort, and I read that…”Failed Moments is a fictional account of the exploits of his ancestors during racially charged periods in the past.” (in the author's bio)

Patrick Walsh arrives at the Boigen Hotel on the West Side of Manhattan to meet a first date. He doesn’t remember seeing this hotel before. His date turns out to be his deceased Aunt Grace of five years ago. What is this place? His aunt takes him into the hotel cafe named Reflektions for coffee. They are served by an elderly man with the initials “P.S.” on his shirtsleeve (who is he?) and he tells them, “I think it might be best if the two of you finished your chat in your room. Here is your key card.” In the room, Aunt Grace tells him, “Your body is forty blocks north of here on Tenth Avenue in St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital and you are on life support.” He was hit by a stray bullet. Apparently the hotel is a conduit to the afterlife, with street exits for reincarnations, heaven, second chances and hell. His Aunt Grace tells him that his past two lives are being recalled so he can correct his past mistakes. She will go with him as a guide and helper. Is Aunt Grace the ghost of the past, like in Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol?

Patrick’s first life was as Patrice, a affluent mixed race (gens de couleur) plantation owner on a island that is now known as Haiti. It’s the late 1700s and slavery is abundant even though the holder of the island, France, has freed the slaves. It’s a trifecta story of mixed race owners at odds with white owners (grands blancs), who will not let go of slavery and of the slaves who demand their freedom. The second life story is about Patrick (Paddy) Allen in 1863 N.Y.C. during the Civil War draft riots. I found this story less interesting than the first. In between the remedial efforts of Patrick and Grace, they meet once again at the Reflektion Cafe. I thought that it was witty of the author to have Patrick and Grace observe the past as birds sitting on a branch. It’s an unique novel written with excellent prose.

I do recommend this novel and have only one complaint. Maybe it’s me, but I didn’t get a good handle on what Patrick corrected in his past lives. What I mean is that the reader never really finds out what mistake he made in the past. If it was there, I missed it. However, it was an enjoyable novel from a budding author. Buy it and enjoy!

RATING: 4 out of 5 stars

Comment: So what book is out there that offers the definitive answer of what happens after death? Well, Mark Hitchcock, holder of a Masters and Doctoral degree from the Dallas Theological Seminary thinks he knows. He wrote, 55 Answers to Questions about Life After Death.

 Amazon says, “Four thousand years ago, amid tragic suffering and death, Job asked the question of the ages: “If a man dies, will he live again?” Since the dawn of history, the subject of death and the afterlife has been the great question of human existence. It’s a subject that everyone wonders about. What lies behind the veil of death? Is there really life after death? Is there a place called Hell? (with all these questions, it sounds like I wrote this synopsis) This small yet power-packed book answers in a very straightforward, reader-friendly format, all the most-asked questions ordinary people have about death, near-death experiences, cremation, purgatory, hell, heaven, and our future bodies. You’ll be amazed at awaits us beyond the grave.

Is there sex in heaven?

It’s a fair question! And so are the rest. Go ahead...flip to the table of contents. Discover another one, two, or fifty-four others that are guaranteed to intrigue you. Questions like: Do those in heaven know what’s happening on earth? And will I see my pets in heaven?

Because even if you’d rather avoid the topic, death will not avoid you (what if I get bit by a vampire?). So fire away! Ask the tough questions, and get the dead-on answers you need. Straightforward and easy to read. 55 Answers to Questions about Life after Death satisfies that nagging, curious voice whispering from the center of your mind.

Sorry, the wise guy comments in the brackets are mine and not part of Amazon’s critique.