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Retrospection
After a terrible accident, Claire wakes up in the hospital. Not being able to remember the recent events that led to her accident is disturbing enough but to discover a stranger in her room who only she can see and hear is even worse. Jhidhai can relate. Typically, humans cannot see or hear him, but Claire can do even more. Unraveling Jhidhai's secrets will take Claire on a journey through both time and space. And Claire's secrets from herself will lead her toward a destination she could never have imagined.
ebook
First published August 7, 2013
14 people want to read
About the author
S.L. Wallace
5 books40 followersS.L. Wallace is a teacher and life long writer who is a descendant of the famous William Wallace. Like him, she believes in freedom and independence. Unlike him, she fights her battles with the pen, most recently taking a political stand against recent changes in government at the local and state levels.
The Reliance on Citizens trilogy is her first published series.
The Reliance on Citizens trilogy is her first published series.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 6, 2015
A beautifully crafted novella. S.L. Wallace stirs together a thoughtful and emotional blend of historical fantasy and paranormal.
The plot weaves back and forth in time as past choices are brought to bear and the influence of our lives on others is examined by the main characters. The narrative is carefully constructed to reveal intriguing snippets which keep you guessing until the very end. I didn't want to put my Kindle down!
The only critique I would give is that at times it was hard to determine the voice in the historical chapters. Points of view occasionally switched between people, which was not always apparent at first. I had to re-read a few spots to orient myself to the new person speaking the narrative.
I enjoyed the paranormal speculation of a "librarians" recording humanity, and I liked the ideas about preserving memories, which in a philosophical sense, thus gives meaning to the struggles and triumphs of lives/groups of people gone by. Claire points this out in a couple chapters about how some tragedies are remembered and honored while others are forgotten like the Chicago versus the Peshtigo fire. Everyone's heard of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but this was my first time reading about the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871.
This author has brought together a very intelligent and creative look at the meaning of life, honoring our memories, and not being afraid to make choices. What influences our choices? What causes one moment to be forgotten and another to be embraced by the culture? S.L. Wallace will take you on a journey to explore just a few of those questions. I would highly recommend you take a walk with the author.
The plot weaves back and forth in time as past choices are brought to bear and the influence of our lives on others is examined by the main characters. The narrative is carefully constructed to reveal intriguing snippets which keep you guessing until the very end. I didn't want to put my Kindle down!
The only critique I would give is that at times it was hard to determine the voice in the historical chapters. Points of view occasionally switched between people, which was not always apparent at first. I had to re-read a few spots to orient myself to the new person speaking the narrative.
I enjoyed the paranormal speculation of a "librarians" recording humanity, and I liked the ideas about preserving memories, which in a philosophical sense, thus gives meaning to the struggles and triumphs of lives/groups of people gone by. Claire points this out in a couple chapters about how some tragedies are remembered and honored while others are forgotten like the Chicago versus the Peshtigo fire. Everyone's heard of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but this was my first time reading about the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871.
This author has brought together a very intelligent and creative look at the meaning of life, honoring our memories, and not being afraid to make choices. What influences our choices? What causes one moment to be forgotten and another to be embraced by the culture? S.L. Wallace will take you on a journey to explore just a few of those questions. I would highly recommend you take a walk with the author.
November 4, 2013
A while ago I was asked to be a beta reader for S.L. Wallace. Here is my review for the finished version of her novella Retrospection. This is the official synopsis from Goodreads: "When Claire wakes up in the hospital, she discovers a stranger in her room who only she can see and hear. Learning Jhidhai's secrets will take her on a journey through both time and space. But Claire has secrets of her own—secrets that will lead her toward a destination she would never have imagined."
This was an enjoyable novella which is a series a vignettes. It switches from 3rd to 1st person POVs as Claire and Jhidhai relive memories. I wish the author had picked one POV and stuck with it throughout. Many books I have read recently use this switching technique and I don't like it. That's just a personal preference.
The memories we visit are mostly painful, there aren't many happy moments in this story but it isn't depressing. There is an undercurrent of resolve and strength, as if Wallace is telling us that all memories, even the bad ones, strengthen us. The vignettes are largely unconnected from each other and I wish there had been more of a through line or something to connect them more.
That all said, Wallace is a good author and this story is a quick enjoyable read that takes us to many times and places. We briefly experience the pains and joys of a multitude of characters and we remember that memories are precious things that need to be cherished and protected.
This was an enjoyable novella which is a series a vignettes. It switches from 3rd to 1st person POVs as Claire and Jhidhai relive memories. I wish the author had picked one POV and stuck with it throughout. Many books I have read recently use this switching technique and I don't like it. That's just a personal preference.
The memories we visit are mostly painful, there aren't many happy moments in this story but it isn't depressing. There is an undercurrent of resolve and strength, as if Wallace is telling us that all memories, even the bad ones, strengthen us. The vignettes are largely unconnected from each other and I wish there had been more of a through line or something to connect them more.
That all said, Wallace is a good author and this story is a quick enjoyable read that takes us to many times and places. We briefly experience the pains and joys of a multitude of characters and we remember that memories are precious things that need to be cherished and protected.
October 13, 2013
"Retrospection" by S.L. Wallace is a very accomplished and well written novel that I find hard to classify as it combines elements of a historical novel with mild paranormal fantasy features but remains refreshingly ambiguous on both accounts.
At the beginning and at the heart of it is Claire, a woman lying in hospital and possibly hallucinating or simply imagining her visitor whom only she can see.
Subsequent chapters take us and her to a range of episodes in history, moments that connect and explain about her visitor, but we yet have to find out why Claire is in hospital in the first place.
Magical in its premise and well balanced as far as the secrets and the mystery aspects are concerned the book is intriguing, unpredictable and engaging. The story stayed with me long after I had finished.
At the beginning and at the heart of it is Claire, a woman lying in hospital and possibly hallucinating or simply imagining her visitor whom only she can see.
Subsequent chapters take us and her to a range of episodes in history, moments that connect and explain about her visitor, but we yet have to find out why Claire is in hospital in the first place.
Magical in its premise and well balanced as far as the secrets and the mystery aspects are concerned the book is intriguing, unpredictable and engaging. The story stayed with me long after I had finished.
September 22, 2013
The more I read the more awake I became. This is an interesting premise and as I read I was absorbed into the unknown. I was touched by the sentiment and moved during the emotional moments. This story was well written and easy to follow. Retrospection kept me thinking, wondering and guessing all the way through.
"Claire and Jhidhai still sat upon the wooden park bench facing the lake. Claire turned and studied Jhidhai but said nothing. He shifted uncomfortably and waited.
Finally, she spoke. "If you had to do it all again, would you do anything differently?
"No, I can't honestly say that I would. What happened, happened. Anyway, we can't change the past."
"Claire and Jhidhai still sat upon the wooden park bench facing the lake. Claire turned and studied Jhidhai but said nothing. He shifted uncomfortably and waited.
Finally, she spoke. "If you had to do it all again, would you do anything differently?
"No, I can't honestly say that I would. What happened, happened. Anyway, we can't change the past."
September 7, 2013
This is a well-written novella. It's not over the top
with the unbelievable, but sandwiched with just enough of the paranormal to make the reader think.
'Retrospection' quickly becomes a page turner as Ms. Wallace immediately connects the reader with the main character
and then keeps you wanting to read more. I enjoyed the way each chapter told a new story as the author took me through
the events in Claire's journey. I also liked that I was surprised with an ending I hadn't predicted and that I continued to wonder about the story even after I had finished it.
with the unbelievable, but sandwiched with just enough of the paranormal to make the reader think.
'Retrospection' quickly becomes a page turner as Ms. Wallace immediately connects the reader with the main character
and then keeps you wanting to read more. I enjoyed the way each chapter told a new story as the author took me through
the events in Claire's journey. I also liked that I was surprised with an ending I hadn't predicted and that I continued to wonder about the story even after I had finished it.
July 13, 2015
I don't usually read books like this but once I started reading I really enjoyed it. I must admit I got a little lost when the author switched back and forth between time and place and chapters, but in a way, it gave me a bit of a challenge.
My star rating was in between 3 and 4 but that's because I usually read non-fiction. I rounded up to 4 because it was well written.
I would definitely recommend this novella to people who get into paranormal and it also had a bit of history so that was nice to see.
My star rating was in between 3 and 4 but that's because I usually read non-fiction. I rounded up to 4 because it was well written.
I would definitely recommend this novella to people who get into paranormal and it also had a bit of history so that was nice to see.
December 19, 2014
It was like reading a book of short stories, except there was an underlying theme, the story of the girl who gets to witness living history.
I thought this story was well thought out and gently paced, it was like receiving a gift of short stories wrapped neatly with a bow of mystery.
I would recommend to anyone.
I thought this story was well thought out and gently paced, it was like receiving a gift of short stories wrapped neatly with a bow of mystery.
I would recommend to anyone.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews