Book of Samuel

The Johnson Family Chronicles

Fiction - Short Story/Novela
84 Pages
Reviewed on 05/29/2013
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

James Robinson, Jr. is an award-winning author of two non-fiction books: Fighting the Effects of Gravity: A Bittersweet Journey Into Middle Life, and Death of a Shrinking Violet. Book of Samuel – a Novella -- is his first foray into fiction. He is an Indie Excellence Finalist and the recipient of two Readers’ Favorite Five-Star Reviews.
Robinson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1974. He didn’t become a serious writer until 1995 when he began writing Fighting the Effects of Gravity.
He lives in Pittsburgh with his wife, Deborah. He has three adult children and four grandchildren.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

"Book of Samuel" by James Robinson is a family drama that unfolds at Georgia. The family of Samuel Johnson is stranded at Savannah airport. The eight hours in the airport is a kind of revelation of his family's behavior. He sees a different side of his parents and his wife. The story, though short, manages to convey an excellent story, a lot of drama and emotions through very deft narration. It was difficult for me to believe a writer could pen such a nice book in just about 70 pages. The story is fast-paced. It keeps the reader going without getting bored.

For me the book "Book of Samuel" evoked a lot of emotions. It kind of highlights the drama that is associated with any family and how at times it raises its ugly head especially when it is not required and when the family is put together and have nothing to do. The dialogues are crisp and sharp. The author manages to portray an effective character sketch of all the characters. The language is simple but as you read through the book, the characters and their nuances are felt. I think it speaks about the skill of the writer because the lesser the pages, the more difficult it is to describe. The eight hour layover at Savannah airport is dramatic for the whole family of Dr. Samuel Johnson. Will Dr. Johnson be able to resolve the matter or will it continue once they reach their home?

Giovanna

"Book of Samuel" is an ironic, biting family drama that explodes, like a pressure cooker, when the main
characters are stuck at the Savannah airport.
Each Robinson has a different and amusing personality and the author draws them carefully between the dialogue.
I enjoyed this story because describes in a funny way situations and feelings that most of us have experienced during life: a friend who embarrassed us saying stupid things, a parent complaining all the time about some sickness, a regretted bad word said to a loved one.