Assessment:
Plot: This is a well-plotted novel. Murder, love, and death in a small town underscore special bonds of enduring friendship that will have readers reaching for their box of tissue on more than one occasion.
Prose: Johnson’s prose is simple and unpretentious, peppered with regional colloquialisms and southern charm.
Originality: While the premise is hardly an original concept, the intrigue of a murder and some great characters put a refreshing spin on things.
Character Development: The main characters in Johnson’s book are fully developed and will remind readers of people in their own lives.
Date Submitted: April 15, 2018
Readers’ Favorite Review Rating: 5 Stars
Waiting For You by Alan Johnson is a story of life-long friendship, love and commitment. It chronicles the life of a group of friends who go their separate ways after graduating from high school. For forty years they keep in touch, supporting each other through the ups and downs of life. One day Cubby James, one of the friends, gets a devastating call. His best friend Danny is in the hospital after being involved in a horrific accident. Cubby rushes back to his hometown and reunites with the group. Still, Cubby has to work out other issues in his life. For starters, he has to make a decision on his next move in life since his career does not give him the satisfaction he once derived from it. A meeting with an old girlfriend complicates his situation even more. This book is the latest in a series by Alan Johnson featuring the same close-knit group of friends.
Despite the sadness that engulfs some of the scenes in Waiting For You, Alan Johnson manages to squeeze many humorous instances into the story. The author engages the reader emotionally in such a skillful manner. At times, I found myself smiling; other times I felt the frustration and sadness felt by the characters. All the friends have fascinating and strong personalities that make them realistic. This is enhanced by their flaws and strengths. Waiting For You also contains instances of action, romance and nostalgia. These all blend together to create an intriguing plot that had me reminiscing about my own past. Certainly an enthralling read.
