Original, at times disquieting, but always fascinating…
In Coussement’s poignant novel, three people struggle with the demons of their past and the uncertainty of their present. The appearance of mysterious circles in gardens separated by a wall changes the lives of everyone involved. Ghost wakes up confused and realizes that he is dead. He seeks answers about his past and enlists the help of neighbors Leora and Xander. As the pieces of Ghost’s past begin to fall into place, they all face existential crises as they confront their fears and grapple with issues of life and death. Coussement’s characters grow tenderly on the page as she examines the minutiae of their everyday lives. Ghost is a compelling narrator whose well-earned moments of self-discovery bring life to the narrative. Coussement’s writing talents are obvious in the way she creates a balance between Ghost’s uncertainty and turmoil, while also adding some humor and excitement to the narrative. Leora and Xander both feel realistic in their individual first-person accounts, allowing readers to become lost in their lives and root for them. Coussement has created a world that leaves behind a deep and lasting impression. Comparisons that might feel clumsy elsewhere are used by Coussement with grace, combining life, death, guilt, and redemption into something even bigger. The events that happened to Ghost hang in the air until they are all tied together at theending. Told in Ghost, Leora, and Xander’s alternating voices, the book explores trauma, pain, grief, what it means to live a meaningful life, and how healing takes courage. A beautiful story that excels in its realistic portrait of the meaning of life.
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Linda Coussement
Elephas Publishing
Pub date February 6, 2024
ASIN B0CJ1QRYTQ
Price $9.99 (USD) Kindle edition