This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Beth Zuschlag for Readers' Favorite
When you begin to read "Big Sound Temple" by Ben Stevens, it takes a few pages to acclimatize yourself to deciphering the seemingly awkward voice of the main character, Hiro. Hiro’s narrative begins with the death of his father, who is the gardener and caretaker of the town’s Buddhist temple. Hiro has lived at the temple and worked with his father for his entire life, and so it is understood by all that he will basically inherit his father’s job. Thus begins the story of several hectic and uncertain months in Hiro’s life. Almost immediately, the reader is introduced to most of the characters who drive the plot - his uncle, the unscrupulous and unforgiving moneylender; Sakura, Hiro’s ersatz girlfriend; Wendy, an English tutor; and Bad Boy, a schoolyard bully turned gangster. As Hiro tells his tale - which is really one of misplaced trust - he also shares tidbits of Japanese culture and stories. This is a very complex tale with many conflicts - between Hiro and other characters, as well as the financial problems that are plaguing the temple.
The beauty of this book, though, is in its simplicity. Hiro is a simple person who is reminiscent of Chance in the old movie “Being There”. Hiro is naive and somewhat gullible, and he expects the world to treat him as he treats the world - with honesty, straightforwardness and absolutely no hidden agendas. Unfortunately for Hiro (and all of us), that is not how the world operates. However, there are people who are looking out for Hiro - so the novel has an elegant balance. Even though the story is written in first person, many times the reader can see what is coming down the pike long before Hiro does. The tension is in not knowing how bad it will actually be, and how each conflict will be resolved. Every character Stevens introduced and every detail mentioned has a purpose; but it isn’t until each purpose is revealed that you realize how skillfully the book has been written. I highly recommend this book as it is obviously a pleasure to read.
