Awake For Ever In A Sweet Unrest


Fiction - Short Story/Novela
102 Pages
Reviewed on 11/29/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

Awake For Ever in a Sweet Unrest by Chuck Rosenthal blends historical fiction, magical realism, and philosophical inquiry. Through vivid storytelling and richly layered characters, the novel explores themes of love, art, and the boundaries of time, creating a timeless narrative that both literature enthusiasts and those interested in the human condition will enjoy. The story is about Beatriz, a curious, slightly lost 19-year-old who stumbles upon a hidden library beneath the walls of Venice’s Beyond Baroque, a citadel of poetry and art. As she descends into the mysterious catacombs, she embarks on an extraordinary journey through time and space, encountering literary icons such as Mary Shelley, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats. These encounters blur history and imagination, revealing Beatriz’s connection to their lives, art, and struggles.

From the dimly lit library to the Scottish Highlands and Italian countryside, the setting is brought to life with exacting detail. Each locale mirrors Beatriz’s internal growth and increasing entanglement with the poets’ lives and legacies. The recurring motifs of libraries, books, and time loops deepen its exploration of immortality through storytelling. I most enjoyed the philosophical undertone. The interactions between Beatriz and the literary figures challenge her and, by extension, the reader to consider what it means to create, love, and live fully. The dialogues, especially with Keats, are rich with existential musings. Chuck Rosenthal shows the enduring power of words and how they connect us universally. Awake For Ever in a Sweet Unrest is a thought-provoking story that inspires readers to explore the worlds within their favorite books.