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Beyond the Bars
Beyond the Bars is a tense story carried out with the classic ‘Rashomon effect’, in which multiple-viewpoint characters go through similar events, each with a different experience.
Nadia…a frantic mom searches for her missing daughter amid a bus explosion before her eyes.
Brody…the Midwest rookie cop who tries to tame the crowds while checking in on his own family and newfound love.
Jonathan…a New Yorker residing in a maximum security prison orchestrating events on the other side of the bars.
Father Michael…the priest with talents for reaching people no one else can touch.
Constantine…an individual seeing all of the events in spirit form, trying to change the way things unfold.
Watch these character’s worlds merge and intersect as all of their lives are disrupted by bus explosions across the country.
Nadia…a frantic mom searches for her missing daughter amid a bus explosion before her eyes.
Brody…the Midwest rookie cop who tries to tame the crowds while checking in on his own family and newfound love.
Jonathan…a New Yorker residing in a maximum security prison orchestrating events on the other side of the bars.
Father Michael…the priest with talents for reaching people no one else can touch.
Constantine…an individual seeing all of the events in spirit form, trying to change the way things unfold.
Watch these character’s worlds merge and intersect as all of their lives are disrupted by bus explosions across the country.
500 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 17, 2022
Not a bad wee story.
Really quite good in a weird way.
Didn't like the Constantine spirit character and what he has to offer to the story...Didn't like the second chance idea after death either....just very warped thinking as I believe.
Not a bad wee story.
Really quite good in a weird way.
Didn't like the Constantine spirit character and what he has to offer to the story...Didn't like the second chance idea after death either....just very warped thinking as I believe.
Not a bad wee story.
May 25, 2014
I began BEYOND the BARS with low expectations and plenty of preconceptions. Terrorism isn't a topic I look for in my personal reading. I read either to be educated or to escape. Most of us who've lived through the past twenty-plus years have been forced to learn more than we ever cared to know about terrorism of both the home grown and international variety. So, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
It begins in a familiar vein...a radicalized someone-or-other (the group is never specifically identified and, in the end, unimportant) leaves his home with a backpack loaded with explosives. Then the scene switches in rapid succession to three separate points of view, each a witness to a bus explosion. The cities--San Francisco, Washington D.C., Des Moines, Iowa--are so widely spaced, we figure it's got to be a coordinated effort by a terrorist group. And it is. But behind that terrorist group is one person who has no political statement to make at all--only a personal grudge that he manages to carry out from behind bars.
It's difficult to discuss the plot in more depth without spoiling it for readers. Suffice it to say that this short novel is a complicated exploration of family--how it shapes us, how it betrays us, and how it can ultimately save us. There's also a strong undercurrent of a bigger battle, that of good and evil. But in the universe of this story, these forces aren't straight-forward or easily understood. Further, they transcend any single act and even any single lifetime.
Author Brooke Williams does a great job building layered characters, whose moral strengths make them vulnerable to the uglier forces of the universe. The villain himself became so twisted through bearing up under unspeakable abuse. In trying to protect his siblings, he lost his own soul. The only person who could reach him, his former wife, is now the object of his intense hatred. Her willingness to get to know a shy but interesting young man--her openness and lack of snobbery--has years later put her and her daughter in extreme danger. This theme of good qualities--protectiveness, tolerance--turning around and biting someone in the backside is one of the most compelling and disturbing aspects of the book.
I guess what I like about BEYOND THE BARS is that it explores what happens when "doing the right thing" doesn't necessarily result in a happy ending. Does the disappointment ruin the good in us? Or do we go on being (attempting) good in spite of it? Is goodness really its own reward?
If you like fast-paced thrillers with a healthy dose of moral philosophy, BEYOND THE BARS doesn't disappoint.
It begins in a familiar vein...a radicalized someone-or-other (the group is never specifically identified and, in the end, unimportant) leaves his home with a backpack loaded with explosives. Then the scene switches in rapid succession to three separate points of view, each a witness to a bus explosion. The cities--San Francisco, Washington D.C., Des Moines, Iowa--are so widely spaced, we figure it's got to be a coordinated effort by a terrorist group. And it is. But behind that terrorist group is one person who has no political statement to make at all--only a personal grudge that he manages to carry out from behind bars.
It's difficult to discuss the plot in more depth without spoiling it for readers. Suffice it to say that this short novel is a complicated exploration of family--how it shapes us, how it betrays us, and how it can ultimately save us. There's also a strong undercurrent of a bigger battle, that of good and evil. But in the universe of this story, these forces aren't straight-forward or easily understood. Further, they transcend any single act and even any single lifetime.
Author Brooke Williams does a great job building layered characters, whose moral strengths make them vulnerable to the uglier forces of the universe. The villain himself became so twisted through bearing up under unspeakable abuse. In trying to protect his siblings, he lost his own soul. The only person who could reach him, his former wife, is now the object of his intense hatred. Her willingness to get to know a shy but interesting young man--her openness and lack of snobbery--has years later put her and her daughter in extreme danger. This theme of good qualities--protectiveness, tolerance--turning around and biting someone in the backside is one of the most compelling and disturbing aspects of the book.
I guess what I like about BEYOND THE BARS is that it explores what happens when "doing the right thing" doesn't necessarily result in a happy ending. Does the disappointment ruin the good in us? Or do we go on being (attempting) good in spite of it? Is goodness really its own reward?
If you like fast-paced thrillers with a healthy dose of moral philosophy, BEYOND THE BARS doesn't disappoint.
June 30, 2015
I honestly liked the book but I feel that the synopsis is very misleading. This book isn't about about terrorism or even necessarily viewing the same events through different characters' eyes. At it's core it's well-written, twisted story about revenge. If you want an easy read then don't pick this one up. While it is fast-paced and easy to follow, it will definitely make you think about your personal definition of evil and your own ideas on morality.
I like the effect of hearing the story through different view points. I felt the most interesting parts were from the view of the villain and the priest. I could relate most to Nadia and Brody, with their expectations that the world should be good and their black and white ideas of morality. However I found that seeing the world through Jonathan's eyes made me question exactly what/who was evil in the world. And being able to understand Father Michael's thoughts and experience his reactions to the events made me think even more about who dictates what is good and what is evil. Then you are left with the characters who are in-between, neither good nor evil, and you hear from their perspectives as well. You are left to sort out for yourself what you truly believe. Do you feel sorry for Jonathan? Or do you, like Brody, feel that everything that happened was justified?
I enjoyed the story a lot but part of the reason this is only getting 4 stars instead of 5 is grammatical. There were several points in the story where a completely wrong word was used and it was seriously distracting at those times. And the other reason for my 4 star review was that I was expecting something completely different based on the synopsis. The terrorist angle was brought up briefly and then left dangling at the end...for those two reasons only did it receive a 4. Otherwise the characters are outstanding and the story easily captured my attention. I would definitely recommend this book.
I like the effect of hearing the story through different view points. I felt the most interesting parts were from the view of the villain and the priest. I could relate most to Nadia and Brody, with their expectations that the world should be good and their black and white ideas of morality. However I found that seeing the world through Jonathan's eyes made me question exactly what/who was evil in the world. And being able to understand Father Michael's thoughts and experience his reactions to the events made me think even more about who dictates what is good and what is evil. Then you are left with the characters who are in-between, neither good nor evil, and you hear from their perspectives as well. You are left to sort out for yourself what you truly believe. Do you feel sorry for Jonathan? Or do you, like Brody, feel that everything that happened was justified?
I enjoyed the story a lot but part of the reason this is only getting 4 stars instead of 5 is grammatical. There were several points in the story where a completely wrong word was used and it was seriously distracting at those times. And the other reason for my 4 star review was that I was expecting something completely different based on the synopsis. The terrorist angle was brought up briefly and then left dangling at the end...for those two reasons only did it receive a 4. Otherwise the characters are outstanding and the story easily captured my attention. I would definitely recommend this book.
July 3, 2015
Beyond the Bars is a very compelling story. There are 5 different points of view throughout the story, more than any other story I've ever read. When I started the story, I was concerned that I would get lost amid the different points of view, however, I was pleasantly surprised that it was very easy to follow. There was so much emotion packed into this story, there was revenge, terrorism, there were strings of family and lost love and a look at different evils that are present in the world. I think Nadia represents the type of mother every woman should aspire to be, and Brody turned into a true hero. I wasn't a fan on Constantine entire almost the end of the story, but his point of view was well written regardless of my feelings towards him. I think Father Michael's point of view and over all role in story is powerful and all 5 views come to a meaningful climax. When I started this book, I wasn't sure what to expect, but when I reflect on everything I just read, I'm very impressed with the author's vision for this story. This is the 3rd work by Ms Williams that I have read, and I look forward to reading more from her.
One note, there were several places that could have used some editing, the wrong words were used etc, although I recognized that it was wrong, my eye was able to skip over it while I filled in the right word. This didn't detract from my reading experience, however I know it would be bothersome to some readers.
One note, there were several places that could have used some editing, the wrong words were used etc, although I recognized that it was wrong, my eye was able to skip over it while I filled in the right word. This didn't detract from my reading experience, however I know it would be bothersome to some readers.
June 18, 2014
Where to start with a review of this book - it was such a great read and so full of emotion that I had a very hard time putting the book down! The story is told from the perspective of several people involved in a series of events which eventually all come to a head. I really liked this about the book, because you got a complete story of how these people were the way they were and how they all were connected. There were several times that I thought I knew where the story was going but each time I was wrong. And let me just say a few words about one of the main characters, Jonathan. I do not know how I feel about that man. Again, this is another thing that I like so much about this book. So, with all of that being said, I do not do spoilers (and I have said way more than I usually do on my reviews), please take my word for it and read this book. You will not be disappointed.
June 30, 2015
Wow, I do not think I have ever read a book like this one. It has 5 multiple view point characters going through similar things. It was written so well. So beautifully done. I am sitting here in awe.
Jonathan made his decisions, which touched 4 other lives. Did I feel sorry for him? No, he made his choices himself with no one telling him what to do. He was bent on getting revenge. Will he win?
I loved the love and bond that Nadia and her daughter, Brielle, has. Nadia would do anything in her power to keep her daughter safe.
I have read other books by Brooke Williams and I will read more from her, too.
☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!
Happy Reading!
Melissa
Jonathan made his decisions, which touched 4 other lives. Did I feel sorry for him? No, he made his choices himself with no one telling him what to do. He was bent on getting revenge. Will he win?
I loved the love and bond that Nadia and her daughter, Brielle, has. Nadia would do anything in her power to keep her daughter safe.
I have read other books by Brooke Williams and I will read more from her, too.
☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Would I read more from this author? Yes!
Happy Reading!
Melissa
July 21, 2014
I don’t typically read books about terrorist, but I have just finished reading another book by Brooke and loved her writing. Once again the story is very compelling and the characters are well thought out. Brooke writes in a way where the story is told from the perspective of several people involved in a series of events which eventually all come to a point. Readers will enjoy this book even if this is not the typical genre that you are used to. If you don’t happen to like this sort of a story, check out some of Brook’s other books, I’m sure you find something that will entertain you!
June 24, 2014
I think it started very strong and it definitely caught all my attention but it sort of started going sideways after a great 30%. We are told the story between five different point of views and that was ok. My problem is more with the plot. It's a bit "exaggerated" and somewhat predictable even though it's a bit far fetched, at least in my opinion. It's a good read if you like this genre. I enjoy a whole lot of different kinds of stories and I think this is a solid 3 star read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews