The Formulation of Zack Sender

A Novel

Fiction - Thriller - Psychological
176 Pages
Reviewed on 04/25/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

The Formulation of Zack Sender is a psychological drama by Aaron Grinhaus. To any outsider, Zack Sender has the ideal life. An associate at a reputable law firm in Toronto, Zack is also in a steady relationship with his girlfriend, Jenny, who may or may not be cheating on him. Despite his career success, Zack is not fully satisfied with his life. His mother, Emily Winston, left him and his father, Joseph, when he was just a child for her old lover, Edward Franklin (Eddie). Emily herself grew up in a neglectful home with a father who had a secret of his own. When Eddie refused to leave his wife, Emily ensured his marriage suffered. In the present day, Zack is making his own plans for an uncertain future with someone from his past.

A gripping character-driven drama, The Formulation of Zack Sender shows how trauma and past baggage can be cyclical as children become newer versions of their parents. Aaron Grinhaus has crafted some memorable characters who not only make an impression on the reader but also highlight the flawed and selfish behavior of people that affect families for generations. Both Emily and Zack lack empathy, with their inability to feel human emotions. It's easy to realize that their sociopathic behavior stems from childhood issues of parental neglect and abandonment. The author laces the narrative with dark humor which makes the novel all the more entertaining for the reader. I liked this story, and if you're a fan of tales that explore the human psyche, this is what you're looking for!