Heather’s Bookshelf: Distorted Vision
Author: Susan Lewallen
Released: 8/31/21
Genre: Literary Fiction
“The boy with the tortoise shell sat on the far end of the white sand, beyond the rock. He might have been watching us. Narrowing my eyes, I saw guards at all the hotels along the beachfront. They’d make sure he didn’t contact any more foreigners, but they wouldn’t stop us from approaching him. When Jared and Sean were in the restroom I strolled over to the boy and gave him several small bills. Jared was right that we couldn’t save every hungry kid, but I could feed this one today.”
“Distorted Vision” introduces Ana, a young woman seeking to establish collaborations between her university in the US and organizations in Tanzania, where she used to live with her brother Jared.
Determined to make her dreams of a collaboration come true, Ana and her brother travel with her nephew on a part business trip/part vacation. She spends time with her family, visits old friends, and returns to places remembered from her childhood. Ana also spends sufficient time investing in attempting to establish relationships and ideas of how to make mutually beneficial programs.
Everything seems to be moving in the right direction, when something terrible rips through her world. Ana is put into situations she’s never faced before and must rely on others if she is to make it through safely and with those she loves.
Trigger Warning: prejudice
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It was clear that the author provided significant first hand experience and ideas into this tale. The main protagonist is relatable and likeable (though a little naïve) in her motivations, desires, and shortcomings. Her need to be part of something more and better was such an altruistic view that it shined through some of the politics and not-so-great things that occurred around her. Her relationships with those around her were also well-developed. I especially liked the interactions and love she showed for her nephew. The plot moved along at a steady pace and combined portions of genres including a bit of mystery/suspense and elements of historical fiction. However, the suspense part was revealed to be a little more obvious in its revelation of truth than I wanted it to be. The ending wrapped everything up nicely, providing a tale that felt complete and satisfying in it’s conclusion.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A story about family, choices, consequences, and the best of intentions.
Want to learn more about the author?
Check out my interview with Susan Lewallen
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Find it for purchase here
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