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General Fiction

  • Streets of Golfito

    by Jim LaBate

    Rating: 6.25

    Plot: In the early 1970s, Peace Corps volunteer Jim (Diego) travels to Costa Rica, hoping to improve lives. There he meets Lilli, a beautiful young girl who undergoes a shocking act of violence and who will need Jim's help in ways no one could have anticipated.

    Prose/Style: LaBate convincingly and painstakingly depicts the small Costa Rican village in which he lays his scene. The past tense third-person omniscient narration is somewhat static, with not enough dialogue to convey a sense of interest and immediacy to the tale.

    Originality: Streets of Golfito is a heartfelt account of youthful idealism in a simpler age. Based on the author's own experiences, the novel deals with cultural identity and a young man's attempt to change the world for the better.

    Character Development/Execution: The relationship between Lilli and Jim (Diego) is delicate and is tenderly portrayed. The characters could be more complex, in order to sustain a plot that holds few surprises.

  • Family Illness

    by Evan Wechman

    Rating: 5.75

    Plot: Wechman’s plot is initially compelling and ambitious, but it is ultimately undersized and would benefit from a faster pace. Readers who like well-developed endings may be let down, and the storyline ultimately feels somewhat hollow.

    Prose/Style: Wechman’s prose strikes an appropriate tone, but can be awkward and muddled. Forced and unnatural dialogue interferes with the narrative’s flow.

    Originality: Family Illness is unique in its focus on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. However, the work quickly loses focus and never entirely finds its footing.

    Character Development/Execution: The characters in Family Illness are noteworthy and have potential. Steve Goldberg’s voice is intriguing and impactful, but the supporting characters are not given adequate attention to develop into their own.

  • Plot: The concept of telling the story of Moses in the form of a documentary is a promising one. Ultimately, though, the intended audience for the book remains unclear. 

    Prose/Style: This manuscript is bogged down with somewhat awkward prose. Long monologues that read like extended exposition also interfere with the smoothness of the writing and  reading experience.

    Originality: The notion of presenting historical events as news is tried-and-true. This project utilizes this conceit to often fine effect and also integrates a fresh Biblical twist.

    Character Development/Execution: While this is a solid idea, the execution would benefit from additional finessing. The newscasters speak in a way that is unnatural and may strike readers as slightly condescending at times.

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