Walking Through Mirrors 1ST edition by Jackson, Brian Keith published by Atria Hardcover

by Brian Keith Jackson

A new novel by the author of the award-winning "The View From Here." When Jeremy, a successful New York photographer, is summoned back to Louisiana to bury his father, he finds a suicide, a murder, and a mysterious cardboard box.

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to review this book without relating to my own life and identity. I saw this book on the bookshelf of a friend and was drawn to it because I have the same first name as the protagonist and asked to borrow it. I am a white guy with a wife and two live parents who have been married since my birth. I come from a small town like the character but live in a smaller city now. The main character is visiting his hometown to attend the funeral of his somewhat estranged father. This causes him to reminisce about his upbringing and how he became who is is in that moment. Family secrets are revealed. He learns who he truly is. Despite my different identity from the author, the way he grapples with his relationship with his father resonates with me. Based on our differences, I found some new empathy and understanding for people with a different background. It was a challenging read at times for me. Mainly, there is a structure that goes between present time and flashbacks. At times this caused me to feel the narrative was dragging a bit. Other than that, I think the author deftly navigates some difficult topics and does a great job of bringing the main character's experience to life. This book will challenge you in a good way.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this story, but I was able to finish it.

[Meesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book about a man remembering and becoming reaquaninted with his family. He comes to terms with realities he refused to see in his youth and is better for it. Finished it in 24hrs.

[Phyllis | Mocha Drop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walking Through Mirrors by Brian Keith Jackson is a heartwarming journey of self discovery for Jeremy Bishop, a successful photographer who returns home to Elsewhere, Louisiana to bury his estranged father. Jeremy, nicknamed Patience by his paternal grandmother, Mama B, revisits his past by raising questions to puzzling childhood memories such as his parent's relationship, his untimely birth, his maternal grandparent's abandonment of him, and his relationship with distant father. By the end of the story, we meet an eclectic cast of characters who answer all of Jeremy's questions and shed light for the reader to understand the meaning behind the novel's title. To walk through mirrors is an expression of doing the impossible...it is to look at things from the other side of the mirror and see more than one's own reflection.
This is a complex story with multiple layers of family secrets and hidden agendas. In this single visit home, Jeremy unknowingly has to reconcile his role as a son, stepson, grandson, brother, and nephew. He must seek redemption from those he loves and who love him. The writing style of Brian Keith Jackson is mature, fresh, and alluring-a definite notch above his contemporary peers. I loved "The View From Here" and enjoyed "The Queen of Harlem". He has definitely earned a place on my favorite author list - a feat that is not easily managed. I strongly recommend this novel and I am looking forward to his next body of work.

[Nascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. This is the second book I've read from this author as I read Queen of Harlem some years ago when it was first released. I am impressed with Jackson's writing style and his ability to tell a story from two different POV's within the same book. This book follows the journey of Jeremy, also known as Patience, a successful photographer who returns to his hometown, Elsewhere, Mississippi after the death of his father. There he explores his own background and history and discovers some alarming secrets about his family that he had never known. I loved that the book gave a range of emotions for the reader: from very sad to funny to heartwarming. I highly recommend this one and am looking forward to reading more books by Jackson.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, particularly because it gave me an opportunity to view the world through the eyes of a fatherless black male. It is a perspective completely different from mine, and yet Jackson drew me in and made me feel what Jeremy felt. I cared very much about the characters in this book. I also really loved how Jackson included fairly mundane details, but managed to be so descriptive that they were anything but mundane.
This was not a predictable book for several reasons. But to understand why, you'll have to read it yourself.
I would have given it 3.5 stars if that were possible.

[Kt. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fussy writing but nice characters.

[Tiarra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has a good writing style and everything runs smoothly. The book however was a little slow for me.