Heather’s Bookshelf: 337
Author: M. Jonathan Lee
Released: 11/30/2020
Genre: Literary fiction with a touch of mystery
“When you experience some kind of serious trauma at a young age, it stays with you. It’s like a ghost which follows a few feet behind every footstep - a quiet whispered sound that reminds you of your past.”
“337” introduces you to Sam, a young man who finds himself stuck in an estranged family routed in tragedy and mystery. He must face his painful past if he is ever going to be able to move on with his future.
Sam learns that his estranged grandmother is dying and that he is the only family that can spend time with her in her final moments. He reluctantly agrees to do so and in the process opens up old wounds and a painful family mystery that has haunted him for years.
Sam reflects on the path that his life has taken based on his past choices and experiences. He is flawed, realistic, and very relatable. The issues that he encounters and the difficulties with his relationships are layered and keep you engaged. I also really enjoyed the pace of the storytelling which kept me pushing forward to find out more about Sam’s family and their history.
Fair Warning: There is some drug use and adult language. There are also references to domestic abuse and death of a loved one that may be hard for some to read.
This story is well written, intriguing, and tragic all at the same time. Sam’s emotional struggles with his family and within himself are relatable and heartfelt. You can’t help but feel for the character as he deals with his demanding-but-distant father, emotionally stunted brother, pending divorce, and dying grandmother all while also trying to come to grips with a family tragedy from long ago. It’s a lot and the weight of the emotion of the character is placed promptly on the reader’s shoulders for the duration of the story. The ending was also completely satisfying with a little twist to match. A really well done and emotional novel from start to finish.
For those of you in in the UK, the hardcover version of this book also has an interesting extra aspect in that you can read it from either end (hence the two cover images). As I am in the US, I have not had the opportunity to review this aspect, but it is intriguing and worth mentioning for those of you on the fence about investing in this book.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
This tragic story is intriguing, emotional, and satisfying all at the same time. The main character draws you in and keeps you engaged through a satisfying ending.
Want to learn more about the author? Check out my interview with M. Jonathan Lee
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Find it for purchase here
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