Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Bitter is the Wind Book Review





Bitter Is the Wind: A Novel

By Jim McDermott


Do Americans live in a land of freedom and equality where people with vision, brains, and a strong work ethic can have rewarding lives? Or is ours a society where well-being, dignity, and independence are reserved for a narrow elite? 

Bitter Is The Wind is a coming of age novel that traces the lives of George Johnson, Jr. and his father from the rural blue collar landscape of upstate New York in the 1970s to the halls of Wharton Business School and the heights of Wall Street. After a family tragedy strengthens their familial bond, the Johnsons contend with assembly line monotony, unfulfilled dreams of baseball stardom, and they learn what it means to be tempted, trapped, jailed and ignored by a seemingly uncaring God. 


First time novelist Jim McDermott opens a window on the American working class and its aching desire for financial security, recognition, and respect. His characters confront a modern world with limited possibilities, ambiguous mores, and authorities who seem devoted to keeping the brightest and most talented members of the underclass on the other side of town. Bitter Is The Wind deconstructs the American dream. 

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MY REVIEW OF Bitter is the Wind

 George was only seven years old when his mother and baby sister died in a car wreck. As he grew older, that void left George with a chip on his shoulder. Being extremely smart, George was determined to find a way to live his life by not having to answer to anyone. When things finally seem to be going his way, he faces a sudden setback from a wrong decision. Will he mirror his father by giving up his dream, or will he fight harder to achieve what he has always wanted? He has to decide, but which will he choose?

I didn’t know what to expect of this book. The synopsis was short on details. I’m glad I read it though, because it was very enjoyable. The characters of George and his father could have been any working class people. The plot was well constructed. I felt it reflected the monotony of life very well. We are all tempted with taking the easy road through life and making wrong choices. I had empathy for both George and his father.  It was encouraging to watch him mature in his way of thinking and reacting. This was an interesting read that had me pulling for George to succeed despite himself.
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**The above opinions are 100% my own, whether I purchased the book or it was given to me to review.


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