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Mo hovers tantalisingly between fantasy and reality, between horror and wonder. It describes how a young boy attempts to find his way as family, friends, and strangers tug at his conscience with their conflicting demands. All the while a mysterious voice attempts to guide him. S Pearce's enigmatic tale skilfully examines notions of identity in an unsettled world. Delving at times into the supernatural and at others into violent extremism, this intriguing and intelligent story can be seen as a modern day morality tale which will keep readers guessing throughout.
- GenresFantasy
104 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
S. Pearce
9 books104 followersSimon Pearce was born in the south of England and spent most of his formative years growing up on the Isle of Wight. He read English and German at the University of Wales, Swansea, and then wrote his Ph.D. in German history and literature at the University of Nottingham. He now lives near Berlin.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 20, 2018
Wow. I never expected a story like this. Sometimes a book comes along and just grabs you. That's exactly what happened to me with this one. It is short. you can read it over several hours (and believe me, you will - you won't put it down!), but it won't let you go for days afterwards. Mo is the young protagonist with very real, very tangible, very gripping issues to face. If you want to read a book about how a young mind can be warped into extremist actions, then read this one. But with more than one twist, this story will leave you surprised, enlightened and thinking very deeply.
April 15, 2018
Mo is a 10-year-old Muslim boy who is mobbed at school, makes friends with a feared old man in his neighbourhood, and is unwittingly recruited to join a gang of terrorists. The story is engaging to the point of un-put-downable; right until the end. The trouble here is that there is no end–the last chapter is missing. S Pearce invites readers to write their own last chapter. Sorry Mr Pearce, but when I invest money and time on a book I expect it to be finished. I found this so frustrating that I considered giving it one star. That would have been wholly unfair though. Apart from one too many annoying typos, the story is well written and enjoyable.
Warning ––. Spoiler.
Since I've been invited to write the last chapter, this is how it unfolds:
Mo meets Old Moth on his way to school the next morning. He didn't find Old Moth the day before because the old man was trying to find out who had burned his shed down. Just like Mo, Old Moth had suspected the gang of boys but discovered it couldn't have been them because they were away on a school football match. Together, Mo and Old Moth deduce Runner had burned his shed down. Mo and Old Moth go to Mo's parents, tell them the whole truth, and report to the police. The police round up the gang of terrorists and everyone lives happily ever after. THE END.
Warning ––. Spoiler.
Since I've been invited to write the last chapter, this is how it unfolds:
Mo meets Old Moth on his way to school the next morning. He didn't find Old Moth the day before because the old man was trying to find out who had burned his shed down. Just like Mo, Old Moth had suspected the gang of boys but discovered it couldn't have been them because they were away on a school football match. Together, Mo and Old Moth deduce Runner had burned his shed down. Mo and Old Moth go to Mo's parents, tell them the whole truth, and report to the police. The police round up the gang of terrorists and everyone lives happily ever after. THE END.
November 5, 2017
“MO” by S. Pearce. ISBN -13: 978-1974168880 & ISBN-10: 1974168883
“MO,” a debut novel, yet a highly polished gem of a book generally aimed at the young adult market but making damned good reading for any adult. “Mo” is fast, smooth and extremely well written in good Standard English that grabs the reader, generates tension; triggers emotional response, almost from the word go. Above all else “Mo” takes a sharp eyed look at the divide in U.K society which, it seems to me, the majority of us either protest does not exist or generally ignore.
Mo, aka Mohammad Adil Dhillon, a British lad of Asian ethnicity, newly entered into Comprehensive High School and under pressure from his Dad to sit the Eleven Plus examination in the hope of winning a place at the local elitist Grammar. Mo is not at all sure that he wants to take the exam but in no time at all that becomes the least of his problems.
Catapulted out of the sheltered world of infancy into the raw – sometimes brutal – environment of new adolescence, Mo finds himself abandoned by cherished childhood friends and subjected to racial insults, bullying and general torment. Confusion and anger follow, compounded by an inability to confide in either parents or teachers which, alas, generates misunderstandings and so more anger still.
Mo staggers from crisis to crisis through which the reader screams for comprehension from Dad, from Mum, from teachers, from society as a whole. But this is not forthcoming and there is the local Jihadist Faction, calling, beckoning to Mo; drawing him into its web. Is the attempt at radicalisation successful? That I cannot reveal: spoilers are not my scene. But I will say that at the end, which comes abruptly, Mo, with the reader, is left standing at the edge of a precipice, staring into the void.
“MO” by S. Pearce. It will grab you from the word go and drop you off at the edge of a void.
D. A. Barker (author of “Killing for Christmas” & “What Am I?”
“MO,” a debut novel, yet a highly polished gem of a book generally aimed at the young adult market but making damned good reading for any adult. “Mo” is fast, smooth and extremely well written in good Standard English that grabs the reader, generates tension; triggers emotional response, almost from the word go. Above all else “Mo” takes a sharp eyed look at the divide in U.K society which, it seems to me, the majority of us either protest does not exist or generally ignore.
Mo, aka Mohammad Adil Dhillon, a British lad of Asian ethnicity, newly entered into Comprehensive High School and under pressure from his Dad to sit the Eleven Plus examination in the hope of winning a place at the local elitist Grammar. Mo is not at all sure that he wants to take the exam but in no time at all that becomes the least of his problems.
Catapulted out of the sheltered world of infancy into the raw – sometimes brutal – environment of new adolescence, Mo finds himself abandoned by cherished childhood friends and subjected to racial insults, bullying and general torment. Confusion and anger follow, compounded by an inability to confide in either parents or teachers which, alas, generates misunderstandings and so more anger still.
Mo staggers from crisis to crisis through which the reader screams for comprehension from Dad, from Mum, from teachers, from society as a whole. But this is not forthcoming and there is the local Jihadist Faction, calling, beckoning to Mo; drawing him into its web. Is the attempt at radicalisation successful? That I cannot reveal: spoilers are not my scene. But I will say that at the end, which comes abruptly, Mo, with the reader, is left standing at the edge of a precipice, staring into the void.
“MO” by S. Pearce. It will grab you from the word go and drop you off at the edge of a void.
D. A. Barker (author of “Killing for Christmas” & “What Am I?”
December 18, 2017
With a very captivating intro, Mo is a story about a young boy's daily life struggles with family, friends and strangers. In a very easy flowing, down-to-earth and natural manner of speaking, it's an easy read with near flawless delivery. In this book, Mo is a balanced boy whose thoughts can easily be related to by those in his age bracket. He has to deal with friendships gone sour because of religious intolerance, and after some devastating effects, he's at a loss on the next course of action. Egged on by Runner, will he go overboard with revenge? Can he detect and recognize the dangers of extremist ideologies in time?
I especially loved the bond between Old Moth and Mo, and young ones can learn that friendship isn't restricted to people of the same age bracket. How Mo utilizes Old Moth's advice to..."weave your destiny, protect yourself and then, in time, you will become an emperor too.” is yet to be seen.
P.S. At the time of this review, the final chapter had not being written. The author made a competition available for all those interested in writing it and even earning some of the royalties.
I especially loved the bond between Old Moth and Mo, and young ones can learn that friendship isn't restricted to people of the same age bracket. How Mo utilizes Old Moth's advice to..."weave your destiny, protect yourself and then, in time, you will become an emperor too.” is yet to be seen.
P.S. At the time of this review, the final chapter had not being written. The author made a competition available for all those interested in writing it and even earning some of the royalties.
January 27, 2018
OK on one hand I want to call this "The Making of a Terrorist" on the other I want to check my grandchildren and monitor everything they say and do online for the rest of their lives. There is racial dissention everywhere and as a woman of color I have experienced one too many times. That in itself does not warrant the strong reactions of some. I do not condone the antics used by some but thought this book, while disturbing, was a great read. Some reviewers mentioned it is for younger readers, I do not totally agree with that but that it can be used as a tool by parents, teachers and educators to hopefully make a difference.
I love the characters and love that the author created a contest to finish the book. That being said. I love the characters and love the flow and speed of the read but once again during the read I disturbed by the direction I felt it was leading and was almost relieved the book wasn't completed. I know I never thought I would be happy about not completing a book.
I love the characters and love that the author created a contest to finish the book. That being said. I love the characters and love the flow and speed of the read but once again during the read I disturbed by the direction I felt it was leading and was almost relieved the book wasn't completed. I know I never thought I would be happy about not completing a book.
February 16, 2018
With this book, it is difficult for me to decide how to start this review. There is so much I want to say. I actually had to take a day to reflect after finishing this book. I guess I should start at the beginning.
Mo by S. Pearce is about a young boy, named Mo, growing up in the UK. He certainly struggles in his day to day life. His father is extremely strict and puts immense pressure on him to do well in school. He is also a Muslim and bullied at school for being different. Every day on his way to school he passes the home of a strange old man that they call the Moth Man. One day, he finds the Moth Man on the ground and not able to get up. Feeling guilty about turning his back, he goes back to help him. The Moth Man is grateful and shows him his collection of different moths and also gives him little life lessons in the process.
...check out the rest of my review at www.amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com
Thank you to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Mo by S. Pearce is about a young boy, named Mo, growing up in the UK. He certainly struggles in his day to day life. His father is extremely strict and puts immense pressure on him to do well in school. He is also a Muslim and bullied at school for being different. Every day on his way to school he passes the home of a strange old man that they call the Moth Man. One day, he finds the Moth Man on the ground and not able to get up. Feeling guilty about turning his back, he goes back to help him. The Moth Man is grateful and shows him his collection of different moths and also gives him little life lessons in the process.
...check out the rest of my review at www.amandasbookreviewsite.wordpress.com
Thank you to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 11, 2018
Intriguing and Thought Provoking
“Mo,” by author S Pearce, is a coming of age novel with both dystopian elements and those of the psychological suspense genre. While this gripping tale seems to be geared towards Young Adult readers, I feel like it can be enjoyed just as well by those of us who have aged out of that category.
Mohammad Adil Dhillon, better known as Mo, is a young man who is simply trying to figure out who he is and where he fits in with society, just as all other adolescents are surely doing. He feels the normal pressures from his parents to do well, and to embrace the plans that they have for him - like it or not - and also the pressures from his friends to behave a certain way, or become the butt of their jokes and ridicule. On top of this, he has two new voices pulling him in different directions. One is calm and soft spoken; the other, harsh and demanding. Will Mo lose his way before he’s even had a chance to truly find it?
S Pearce has skillfully drawn out his characters, allowing his readers to feel a complex set of emotions right along with these characters. I found myself drawn into the story right away, and the grip never quite loosened, not even when the book ended.
Mo seems constantly at one crossroads or another. His morals are tested. His emotions run high. Through his young eyes, his thoughts, and his interactions, we see the problems in our society. We see his inner turmoil and relate to his struggles, his pain. It is all very tangible, very real.
S Pearce gave us an ending that is neither satisfying, nor unsatisfying. I am not disappointed, but I am also not fulfilled. This is not a complaint. I enjoy being made to think, to process, to consider. And, I did all those things throughout my journey with Mo, from begining to end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and I thank the author for inviting me on this journey. I recommend this book to adults and young adults alike. If you enjoy being drawn emotionally into a story, and then stepping back to sort out your thoughts and feelings, then I think you will find enjoyment within the book, “Mo.”
“Mo,” by author S Pearce, is a coming of age novel with both dystopian elements and those of the psychological suspense genre. While this gripping tale seems to be geared towards Young Adult readers, I feel like it can be enjoyed just as well by those of us who have aged out of that category.
Mohammad Adil Dhillon, better known as Mo, is a young man who is simply trying to figure out who he is and where he fits in with society, just as all other adolescents are surely doing. He feels the normal pressures from his parents to do well, and to embrace the plans that they have for him - like it or not - and also the pressures from his friends to behave a certain way, or become the butt of their jokes and ridicule. On top of this, he has two new voices pulling him in different directions. One is calm and soft spoken; the other, harsh and demanding. Will Mo lose his way before he’s even had a chance to truly find it?
S Pearce has skillfully drawn out his characters, allowing his readers to feel a complex set of emotions right along with these characters. I found myself drawn into the story right away, and the grip never quite loosened, not even when the book ended.
Mo seems constantly at one crossroads or another. His morals are tested. His emotions run high. Through his young eyes, his thoughts, and his interactions, we see the problems in our society. We see his inner turmoil and relate to his struggles, his pain. It is all very tangible, very real.
S Pearce gave us an ending that is neither satisfying, nor unsatisfying. I am not disappointed, but I am also not fulfilled. This is not a complaint. I enjoy being made to think, to process, to consider. And, I did all those things throughout my journey with Mo, from begining to end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and I thank the author for inviting me on this journey. I recommend this book to adults and young adults alike. If you enjoy being drawn emotionally into a story, and then stepping back to sort out your thoughts and feelings, then I think you will find enjoyment within the book, “Mo.”
April 19, 2018
A fantabulous tale of fantasy that hovers over reality. A book perceived in any way reaches out to its audience scintillating enough to examine the perception of a person's belief. The story unfolds with a young boy named "Mo" who wonders about a "Moth man" and the belief of his faith in the world which later changes as the story unveils.
"Mo" the real unbelievably stares at real world that tosses challenges to him starting from parents to teachers and to everything around him. The injustice and ignorance towards an innocent person who then and thereby are trapped by so-called the Jihadist fate has been portrayed so well that it seemed that the author wrote the context after an unusual and substantial research clubbed with his own personal experience.
This is the author's very first debut novel and he presents the story in the most poised yet in a storming notion. It jolts the reader to ask questions to himself about how an innocent boy addicted to a gaming app suffers the atrocities of the society from nowhere and what options are left to him!
The ideologies in the book had been so well written that sharing an excerpt from the book became the need of the hour as just in a paragraph, it summarizes the entire life of a person.
“All creatures undergo a period of change, including you and me. And caterpillars. To discover who we are and what we want, we must take steps to forge our futures. You do this, in school perhaps. You learn your subjects, you excel in some and take exams. And you discover what you’ll be, transforming into adulthood, from boy to man. The caterpillar eats and grows, becomes this size,” he said, pointing once more at the creature, which continued to build the cocoon, oblivious to the eyes peering down upon it. “This one’s a late developer. But he is ready now for his exam, his transformation. He’ll become an Emperor.”
-Mo (The Spotlight Tales Book 1) by S Pearce, Page no. 46
Overall, the book is a must read and an ideology that can not be missed..!
Rating: 5/5
"Mo" the real unbelievably stares at real world that tosses challenges to him starting from parents to teachers and to everything around him. The injustice and ignorance towards an innocent person who then and thereby are trapped by so-called the Jihadist fate has been portrayed so well that it seemed that the author wrote the context after an unusual and substantial research clubbed with his own personal experience.
This is the author's very first debut novel and he presents the story in the most poised yet in a storming notion. It jolts the reader to ask questions to himself about how an innocent boy addicted to a gaming app suffers the atrocities of the society from nowhere and what options are left to him!
The ideologies in the book had been so well written that sharing an excerpt from the book became the need of the hour as just in a paragraph, it summarizes the entire life of a person.
“All creatures undergo a period of change, including you and me. And caterpillars. To discover who we are and what we want, we must take steps to forge our futures. You do this, in school perhaps. You learn your subjects, you excel in some and take exams. And you discover what you’ll be, transforming into adulthood, from boy to man. The caterpillar eats and grows, becomes this size,” he said, pointing once more at the creature, which continued to build the cocoon, oblivious to the eyes peering down upon it. “This one’s a late developer. But he is ready now for his exam, his transformation. He’ll become an Emperor.”
-Mo (The Spotlight Tales Book 1) by S Pearce, Page no. 46
Overall, the book is a must read and an ideology that can not be missed..!
Rating: 5/5
January 23, 2018
An unusual novel, this. The protagonist is a young Muslim boy facing a future he finds unattractive for many reasons. At first, I wondered if this book was meant for children, but that opinion was quickly squashed by the complex language and general tone of the story. The book is aimed, I imagine, at parents, teachers, and, perhaps, those leaders of Islamic groups who might benefit from the ideas it contains.
The character of the young lad is well drawn and it’s easy to form empathy with him. His rather distant father who begins as a man who shows little understanding of his son, and his devoted mother, caught between the needs of her lad and the demands of the father, slowly develop as characters as the story progresses. The other main character, an idiosyncratic and lonely old man with a kind heart and a fascination for moths and other wildlife, is another beautifully drawn player.
The story deals with bullying, isolation, prejudice, the grooming of terrorists, and the dangers of obsessive gaming, which is why it’s a very good read for concerned parents and teachers.
There were odd times when I was a little jarred by a passage of what almost amounted to preaching, but this happened only very rarely. For the most part, the story moves well and the reader is fully engaged.
Either the author has engaged in substantial research, or he has used imagination coupled with some personal experience to get into the head of Mo as well as to understand the methods used by groups wishing to subvert innocents to their cause.
This is an absorbing story; well told and full of events and discussions that provoke thought. Not an easy read, it has much of value to say on the injustice and ignorance that drives certain individuals to extreme action.
The character of the young lad is well drawn and it’s easy to form empathy with him. His rather distant father who begins as a man who shows little understanding of his son, and his devoted mother, caught between the needs of her lad and the demands of the father, slowly develop as characters as the story progresses. The other main character, an idiosyncratic and lonely old man with a kind heart and a fascination for moths and other wildlife, is another beautifully drawn player.
The story deals with bullying, isolation, prejudice, the grooming of terrorists, and the dangers of obsessive gaming, which is why it’s a very good read for concerned parents and teachers.
There were odd times when I was a little jarred by a passage of what almost amounted to preaching, but this happened only very rarely. For the most part, the story moves well and the reader is fully engaged.
Either the author has engaged in substantial research, or he has used imagination coupled with some personal experience to get into the head of Mo as well as to understand the methods used by groups wishing to subvert innocents to their cause.
This is an absorbing story; well told and full of events and discussions that provoke thought. Not an easy read, it has much of value to say on the injustice and ignorance that drives certain individuals to extreme action.
February 23, 2018
MO - The Spotlight Tales
“The monsters seemed to grow longer legs, more of them were standing upright and fighting back with equipment of their own, their claws manipulating increasingly sophisticated weapons.”
Author Simon Pearce unravels an intriguing story which reminds me of school days, among schoolboys, we ignore the belated dangers around us and seek our enthusiastic interest in both friendly and unfriendly environments.
Why do people often tend to give other people names? This is the part I find the book very interesting compared to events at school days. We had Mr. Mansion, Mr. Rabbit etc because one of my classmates had a big head and the other big ears.
Was it a coincidence to read about the ‘Moth man’? Did the moth man ever exists or the purpose of the exercise was to elicit fact from fiction, to be able to read a story and work out what truth?
I could picture why some people give certain names to others aware or unaware because of their weirdness. The character of the moth man in the story inspires the reader as the pages advance.
Modern writers really care about age, thus, ‘Mo’ is a book written to suit all ages reflecting on the past and present lives, for example, sometimes unexpected problems we encounter while eating.
Mo is an excellent book which delivers entertaining account suitable to be added to the library books.
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March 26, 2018I just finished this book and it is a hard one to review. I have very mixed feeelings about it and have no idea how to rate it. I enjoy mysteries but this story made me very uncomfortable. I do not know if it is because as a parent I worried about what the boy, Mo was going thru and I feared for him or whether it was dealing with the Muslim religion that I do not know much about or understand. On the other hand the author writes a great story that gets you intrigued and wanting to know what happens to Mo. I was not sure how much was fantasy and how much reality. The struggles of this young man with his friends and his parents was very realistic and how he was trying to get thru was very believable. Young people today are very attracted to video game so that was very realistic. Mo seems so innocent and I felt real fear for him. I prefer not to discuss religion and politics so will not go down those areas. At times I almost stopped reading because I didn’t want to get in a discussion on religion. I was asked by the author to read and review the book so I did and I must say I am glad I did finish the book . It was VERY thought provoking and the author really has a talent for writing. Would love to see the author write some good mysteries instead of psychological thrillers. .
January 5, 2018
The book "Mo" is a wonderful, thought provoking debut novel by Simon Pearce. The story revolves around a boy "Mo" who passes through many mental and spiritual conflicts at home and school. The old Moth, Mo's older friend, helps him in dealing with all conflicts of life. At school, he faces religious discrimination by other classmates and at home his father strict rules for studies over burdens him.His sensitive nature seeks no shelter but to escape from school and home.In his passion for cellphone and online game, he is lured by a friend who introduces him to a new religious group.
Interestingly, the author has a keen eye on Pakistan's Muslim culture. Through his fast paced intriguing story, the author unveils the religious discrimination and the extremist attitudes which the Muslims have to face in Europe and America. This light mood story contains an in depth message to eradicate extremism, religious discrimination and environmental loopholes. It invokes the reader to opt a holistic approach and see things with broader perspective. This beautiful book deserves 5 out of 5 stars. I congratulate the author for this amazing book and hope that the next time he will come up with an exciting new story.
Interestingly, the author has a keen eye on Pakistan's Muslim culture. Through his fast paced intriguing story, the author unveils the religious discrimination and the extremist attitudes which the Muslims have to face in Europe and America. This light mood story contains an in depth message to eradicate extremism, religious discrimination and environmental loopholes. It invokes the reader to opt a holistic approach and see things with broader perspective. This beautiful book deserves 5 out of 5 stars. I congratulate the author for this amazing book and hope that the next time he will come up with an exciting new story.
January 31, 2018
This story is ultimately about the grooming of young adults into Islamic extremism, and uses main character 'Mo', a young British Muslim boy growing up in the UK, who has just started at his local comprehensive high school, to tell the tale.
This is an excellent debut novel, very well-written and easy-to-read, a story that totally absorbs the reader from the start. The main character 'Mo' is plausible and highly likeable and the author conveys brilliantly the innocence of his character and shows just how impressionable young adults can be; a great amount of empathy is captured for Mo from a reader perspective and this story certainly contributes to our understanding of how and why children/young adults can become disillusioned with the world.
There are also some great characters that surround Mo in the story, from the 'strange' old 'moth man' to his relationship with his parents - this story is a fascinating and insightful read.
This is an excellent debut novel, very well-written and easy-to-read, a story that totally absorbs the reader from the start. The main character 'Mo' is plausible and highly likeable and the author conveys brilliantly the innocence of his character and shows just how impressionable young adults can be; a great amount of empathy is captured for Mo from a reader perspective and this story certainly contributes to our understanding of how and why children/young adults can become disillusioned with the world.
There are also some great characters that surround Mo in the story, from the 'strange' old 'moth man' to his relationship with his parents - this story is a fascinating and insightful read.
July 25, 2018
“Mo” is a contemporary fiction beautifully written by Simon Pearce in a current global scenario and cultural & religious perspective. The story revolves around a High school teenager named Mohammad Adil Dhillon also called ‘Mo’ who is of Muslim origin and peacefully lives with his parents in a small town in England. He is curious, adventurous and open to new ideas-an enthusiastic lad. Mo is also a crazy fan of an android game app “Bug Blaster” and he desperately needs some credit to unlock new features of the game. As he belongs to a middle class family and is unable to make any purchases so he decides to join an online chat room in the hope it would help him redeem some rewards to clear new levels. That’s where he happens to meet a stranger named ‘Runner’, who is also a teenage adult like him, has a strict demeanor and is matter-of-fact in her approach and attitude. She is bold and fearless, often ruthless, and is determined to make her way through boy’s wits. Surprisingly enough, this young girl starts cajoling Mo by offering him occasional treats and giving him unlimited access to many new game features. In return, all she asks for is to join her in her great mission-to help her weed out her enemies to restore the peace of the world!
The book beautifully yet comprehensively addresses the controversial subjects like terrorism, massacre and persecution. It also touches upon diverse themes such as social bullying, sectarian violence and genocide. After reading the book, one comes to know how masterminds like these tend to brainwash young children especially teenagers who are in the most crucial phase of their life. These professional networks weave out sophisticated webs in order to lure their prey and subsequently manipulate them further to be a part of their gang. The entire scheme is well crafted, carefully monitored and properly channeled so as to avoid any loopholes and to fully exploit their trapped victims. Such groups use a variety of tactics to spread spy nets and keep proliferating further by targeting individuals who seem to be vulnerable or too disturbed by the situations around them which maximizes their possibility of falling an easy prey to such people who have such destructive agendas.
This great piece of fiction is, undoubtedly, a valuable addition to contemporary literature as it not only brings to the surface the working minds that have thousands and thousands of enticing and equally threatening ways to captivate people but also sheds some light on the plight of Muslims in countries where they are the target of religious oppression being a minority. I would say every picture seems to have two sides but Simon Pearce’s “Mo” skillfully presents the third facet of the picture and marvelously justifies it with such a queer beauty of his writing art ornamented by his outstanding imagination power.
As the story continues to develop, it encourages the reader to put himself into the young boy’s shoes who struggles to make sense of the world around him and tries to figure out everything based on his own perspective. The under addressed issue of terror and peace needs urgent call for action and it is equally inevitable to direct the attention of the common masses as well as of the government officials, policy makers and concerned worldwide organizations to invest their resources and efforts for the cause which the author beautifully portrays in his book. It is also interesting to note that the author’s writing is not judgmental or biased at all as he adopts a general but wider perspective to look at the things more deeply and makes sure to write about such a sensitive issue without targeting any community or school of thought. The fictitious account of ‘Mo’ fairly suggests that the writer strongly feels about such issues and believes in the assimilation and integration of each individual and citizen into the society irrespective of their differing religious beliefs to promote peaceful coexistence.
I am strongly convinced that the wisdom the author has artfully passed on to his audience through this debut novel should be an integral component of each and every classroom so that our children from their early age are able to identify right from wrong, bad from good and grow out to be more receptive and inclusive than ever to break free from violence and bullying. Another positive aspect that this book speaks about is to refrain from judging people we have no true knowledge about and hence, making no irrational or partial judgement about anyone which automatically leads towards building more tolerance and forms a holistic society where every single being is nurtured with love, respect and peace. Interestingly, the author further illustrates the fact with the help of one of his another wonderful character called ‘Moth Man’ who is wrongly perceived by the people around and later on, turns out to be the one who provides a logical foundation and true wisdom to the boy’s imagination. The author’s deep understanding of intricate human emotions and relationship tensions is what makes the story even more engaging.
Simon Pearce’s “Mo” is simply a perfect material to grab the attention of the readers. The writer is well informed and has been successful in producing a well-written story. The content in the book is well-researched and the author is pretty much aware of the Muslim culture, values, lifestyle, parenting approach and social stigma attached to people having Muslim ethnicity. He, in fact, has a great heart to think about such coarse issues and, undoubtedly, has done a huge favor to the whole mankind not only by doing quite of a myth-busting around religious beliefs but also by making people more educative and socially aware about the malefic existence of such extremist and anti-peace groups who are playing with the people’s feelings and emotions.
The story is a third person narrative and writing style of the author is so simple, effective and easy to follow. There are no unnecessary details or scenes included as well as no strand of misleading or ambiguous vocabulary used in the entire book. Collocations used are also appropriate and add to the charm of the story to make it feel more like a real life narrative. The plot as well as the storyline are excellent and pique the interest of the reader. The story gracefully comes to an emotional end with the poem written by the boy himself which is quite thoughtful. Here’s the blurb:
“…You are drawn on, to the radiant light,
Oblivious to the threats of the night
But where will you go, my little one,
When the sun comes up and the light is gone?”
I must admit that the end was well thought out as to leave it to the readers to carve out the rest of the story. I guess, the writer wanted to escape the anticipated turmoil and forthcoming fatal consequences of the deadly encounters the boy was probably going to have and the evident bloodshed that was about to result followed by the pangs of revenge he felt. The words and phrases such as “culinary domain” and “Um, I have everything I need,” he said economically’ were carefully chosen and clearly had a big impact in developing a strong plot. Some of the sentences also depicted a very sensible and casual humor such as “…Sometimes, he simply had to lie to his Dad, mostly about grades or homework, otherwise he would never have any free time at all.” and “Weekends meant Saturdays. Saturdays meant shopping. Shopping meant boredom.” I would also like to mention and quote some of the words specific to Muslim culture that he has used in his book like chicken karahi, chutney, kofta, Muharram, Ramadan, Kameez, niqab, Sunni, Shi’a and hijab-to name a few and some of the Arabic scripts and verses that were even quite new to me and certainly reflect his well-researched ideas and the level of command he has on picking up some words from Urdu and Arabic language.
Furthermore, I have assorted some of my favorite lines from the book in order to appease those people who have not read the book. “Making choices, right from wrong, good from bad, what is true from what seems to be true, is what life here is all about.”, “…but we all know not to believe everything we hear, right? People tend to fear him because they don’t know anything about him, and don’t do anything to get to know him better either. So the fear remains…”
“…You see, the essence of a being does not lie in what is seen, but in what is perceived…”, “…Remember who you are inside. Be like the caterpillar-weave your destiny, protect yourself, and then, in time, you will become an emperor too.”, “…We are besieged by names. And all of them are unimportant…”, “…It is a caterpillar, at a very crucial stage of life. Watch carefully…”
I gladly rate this book 5 out of 5 stars as it is professionally edited and proofread and is free of any typos. The book would definitely appeal to all the readers; the young and old alike. I would highly recommend this book to each and every one out there especially to the first generation folks. The touchy story of the young boy ‘Mo’ would definitely help to paint a different picture of the Muslims in the minds of people who have misconceptions about Islam which is quite positive and revolutionary as well. Anyone who is interested to know about the other side of the story must give it a read so they better come to know what it takes to live in a world seemingly different from yours who is scared of any foreign influence. It also throws some light on the variety of sneaky ways the evil minded extremist groups adopt to get in the lives of young people and developing minds in order to detract and derail them with their careful maneuvering and the personalized step by step brainwashing to disrupt the global peace.
The book beautifully yet comprehensively addresses the controversial subjects like terrorism, massacre and persecution. It also touches upon diverse themes such as social bullying, sectarian violence and genocide. After reading the book, one comes to know how masterminds like these tend to brainwash young children especially teenagers who are in the most crucial phase of their life. These professional networks weave out sophisticated webs in order to lure their prey and subsequently manipulate them further to be a part of their gang. The entire scheme is well crafted, carefully monitored and properly channeled so as to avoid any loopholes and to fully exploit their trapped victims. Such groups use a variety of tactics to spread spy nets and keep proliferating further by targeting individuals who seem to be vulnerable or too disturbed by the situations around them which maximizes their possibility of falling an easy prey to such people who have such destructive agendas.
This great piece of fiction is, undoubtedly, a valuable addition to contemporary literature as it not only brings to the surface the working minds that have thousands and thousands of enticing and equally threatening ways to captivate people but also sheds some light on the plight of Muslims in countries where they are the target of religious oppression being a minority. I would say every picture seems to have two sides but Simon Pearce’s “Mo” skillfully presents the third facet of the picture and marvelously justifies it with such a queer beauty of his writing art ornamented by his outstanding imagination power.
As the story continues to develop, it encourages the reader to put himself into the young boy’s shoes who struggles to make sense of the world around him and tries to figure out everything based on his own perspective. The under addressed issue of terror and peace needs urgent call for action and it is equally inevitable to direct the attention of the common masses as well as of the government officials, policy makers and concerned worldwide organizations to invest their resources and efforts for the cause which the author beautifully portrays in his book. It is also interesting to note that the author’s writing is not judgmental or biased at all as he adopts a general but wider perspective to look at the things more deeply and makes sure to write about such a sensitive issue without targeting any community or school of thought. The fictitious account of ‘Mo’ fairly suggests that the writer strongly feels about such issues and believes in the assimilation and integration of each individual and citizen into the society irrespective of their differing religious beliefs to promote peaceful coexistence.
I am strongly convinced that the wisdom the author has artfully passed on to his audience through this debut novel should be an integral component of each and every classroom so that our children from their early age are able to identify right from wrong, bad from good and grow out to be more receptive and inclusive than ever to break free from violence and bullying. Another positive aspect that this book speaks about is to refrain from judging people we have no true knowledge about and hence, making no irrational or partial judgement about anyone which automatically leads towards building more tolerance and forms a holistic society where every single being is nurtured with love, respect and peace. Interestingly, the author further illustrates the fact with the help of one of his another wonderful character called ‘Moth Man’ who is wrongly perceived by the people around and later on, turns out to be the one who provides a logical foundation and true wisdom to the boy’s imagination. The author’s deep understanding of intricate human emotions and relationship tensions is what makes the story even more engaging.
Simon Pearce’s “Mo” is simply a perfect material to grab the attention of the readers. The writer is well informed and has been successful in producing a well-written story. The content in the book is well-researched and the author is pretty much aware of the Muslim culture, values, lifestyle, parenting approach and social stigma attached to people having Muslim ethnicity. He, in fact, has a great heart to think about such coarse issues and, undoubtedly, has done a huge favor to the whole mankind not only by doing quite of a myth-busting around religious beliefs but also by making people more educative and socially aware about the malefic existence of such extremist and anti-peace groups who are playing with the people’s feelings and emotions.
The story is a third person narrative and writing style of the author is so simple, effective and easy to follow. There are no unnecessary details or scenes included as well as no strand of misleading or ambiguous vocabulary used in the entire book. Collocations used are also appropriate and add to the charm of the story to make it feel more like a real life narrative. The plot as well as the storyline are excellent and pique the interest of the reader. The story gracefully comes to an emotional end with the poem written by the boy himself which is quite thoughtful. Here’s the blurb:
“…You are drawn on, to the radiant light,
Oblivious to the threats of the night
But where will you go, my little one,
When the sun comes up and the light is gone?”
I must admit that the end was well thought out as to leave it to the readers to carve out the rest of the story. I guess, the writer wanted to escape the anticipated turmoil and forthcoming fatal consequences of the deadly encounters the boy was probably going to have and the evident bloodshed that was about to result followed by the pangs of revenge he felt. The words and phrases such as “culinary domain” and “Um, I have everything I need,” he said economically’ were carefully chosen and clearly had a big impact in developing a strong plot. Some of the sentences also depicted a very sensible and casual humor such as “…Sometimes, he simply had to lie to his Dad, mostly about grades or homework, otherwise he would never have any free time at all.” and “Weekends meant Saturdays. Saturdays meant shopping. Shopping meant boredom.” I would also like to mention and quote some of the words specific to Muslim culture that he has used in his book like chicken karahi, chutney, kofta, Muharram, Ramadan, Kameez, niqab, Sunni, Shi’a and hijab-to name a few and some of the Arabic scripts and verses that were even quite new to me and certainly reflect his well-researched ideas and the level of command he has on picking up some words from Urdu and Arabic language.
Furthermore, I have assorted some of my favorite lines from the book in order to appease those people who have not read the book. “Making choices, right from wrong, good from bad, what is true from what seems to be true, is what life here is all about.”, “…but we all know not to believe everything we hear, right? People tend to fear him because they don’t know anything about him, and don’t do anything to get to know him better either. So the fear remains…”
“…You see, the essence of a being does not lie in what is seen, but in what is perceived…”, “…Remember who you are inside. Be like the caterpillar-weave your destiny, protect yourself, and then, in time, you will become an emperor too.”, “…We are besieged by names. And all of them are unimportant…”, “…It is a caterpillar, at a very crucial stage of life. Watch carefully…”
I gladly rate this book 5 out of 5 stars as it is professionally edited and proofread and is free of any typos. The book would definitely appeal to all the readers; the young and old alike. I would highly recommend this book to each and every one out there especially to the first generation folks. The touchy story of the young boy ‘Mo’ would definitely help to paint a different picture of the Muslims in the minds of people who have misconceptions about Islam which is quite positive and revolutionary as well. Anyone who is interested to know about the other side of the story must give it a read so they better come to know what it takes to live in a world seemingly different from yours who is scared of any foreign influence. It also throws some light on the variety of sneaky ways the evil minded extremist groups adopt to get in the lives of young people and developing minds in order to detract and derail them with their careful maneuvering and the personalized step by step brainwashing to disrupt the global peace.
June 6, 2018
Book Name: MO (Book One of the Spotlight Tales)
Author Name: S Pearce
Format: Kindle
No of Pages: 113
Blurb: The blurb portion of the book has been written in a compact way briefly, specifying the core of the book. Thus, it will make the reader curious about the inner story of the book. So, I’d like to say that the blurb is good & apt.
Cover: The cover of the book is simple yet unique in significance (talking about the Moth in the table that we can see in the cover) and I can say that this cover is enough capable of tempting the reader to go through the pages of the book. Still, it could have been a little better, but as it is justifying the substance of the story really well, that’s why I am satisfied with the look of the cover. Good job done by Roger Kwiatkowski.
Title: The title of the book is not only catchy but the most intriguing I can say. It is thought provoking and justifying the protagonist of the book through the title. No doubt, this title is appropriate for the book.
Language & narration: Language of the book is lucid & simple enough to comprehend for any kind of reader. The fast pace simple narrating style made the book a pleasant read; but as per the story content, I would like to suggest that a little more grip while narrating the incidents should have been present there. It is not that the story looked dull or faded anywhere, no, it is not; but a little compact narration would have been more appreciable. Otherwise, it is really good so far. Description are broad, the made the scenes visualizing to the readers.
Plot: Now let me say that the plot is the main USP of this book. The in depth plot with bringing such sensitive issues to nurture with (yes, put front Nationalism into the base of the book often may appear as case sensitive) and more than that, comparing the core changes significantly with the cycle of a Moth and relating them with sub plots (the game episodes), is the most thought provoking idea any author can ever come up with. That’s why I want the book to reach more & more readers.
Characterization: Crystal characterization is one of the positive points of the story. Though there are not many, but still, the overall structures of the characters (be it the protagonist MO or any other character) have been portrayed and developed well according to the need of the story. Especially, the character of the Moth Man / Old Moth is the most significant in the book (excluding the character of MO). Characters are justified according to their respective roles till the end. Let’s look at the names of the overall characters of the story- Mohammad Adil Dhillon aka ‘MO’ aka “Butcher”, his parents, his school friends, teachers, The Moth Man / The Old Moth, “Runner”, the head of the Local Council.
Theme: Life story, Inspirational, Nationalism.
Story in a nutshell: The story revolves around some particular days with various phases of the life of a school going boy MO and some people around him. Mohammad Adil Dhillon (preferably known as MO) was a Muslim boy and his parents were from Pakistan. His childhood was not so pleasant as any child would have wished for. It was not that he had to face any financial crisis or such, but it was always about his way of upbringing, his studies, his social appearance, and everything was controlled by his dominative father, who was literally ‘strict’ on MO in every single matter regarding any issues. Though it was out of concern and care but the outcome of those concerns were not pleasing at all. MO was forced to treat his life in a way he least wanted to. But soon he realized that, it was not just his friends, but his religion also has a major role to play in his life and surroundings. A game in phone gradually opened the door for him to stand with the game of life and game of others. MO was too child to being push into such things. He found himself lost at a point in a complicated riddle, but ‘The Old Moth’ appeared to his rescue by sharing his wisdom regarding the major issues of life to deal with and helped him to seek the way of light. When MO started to put everything in order, the exact moment “Runner” (a major character in this book) crossed his path and revealed to him a view of life & ‘nation’ that MO couldn’t have ever thought in his life.
Is the life of MO going to change forever? If yes, then how? What were the differences between the sides of life that he was being directed to by two different kinds of personalities? Who was ‘the Old Moth’ actually? Where was he trying to direct to MO? Why such an odd name to a person? Does name matters? Who was ‘Runner’ and how did she happen with MO? What was her purpose to fulfill and why she had chosen MO for that? Because of being a Muslim and having Pakistani parents, what kind of ‘special’ treatment he used to get and why so? To know the complete story, grab your copy of the book and dive in to the journey of MO now.
My Verdict: Author Simon Pearce has successfully penned down a potentially rich and valuable journey of MO through this 1st book (among 3) of Spotlight Series. It is really showing spotlight on some major issues of life. Through MO’s life, in a short time span we got to realize that life is never an easy road to travel and has many turns to explore, but one has to keep the core identity intact to reach the ultimate destination and if there is anything to change or block the ways, then we should handle them according to the demand of life. Religion & Nationalism and some other major issues (differences in treating Muslims and other related cruel and inhuman activities) are not new to the country and were much needed to put front with bold statement like this. When we see a ‘terrorist’ with violent activities, in the name of ‘Zihad’ (or whatever they prefer to name it), we never try to find the ‘source’ about why that particular person has selected that specific path and the only way left is to punish by killing them (many places, there are actually not any proper judgment for them still). We have to reach the main ‘source’ who are creating these ‘terrorists’ by manipulating the innocent brain of some tender soul and by brain washing them to fulfill their ‘purpose’ (whatever it is). We have to care for the reason before they started to walk along the path they are not supposed to travel. To stop them, before it is too late, because no one is born ‘terrorist’ so should not become one either; ultimately, terror has nothing to do with ‘peace’. Through the character of ‘the Old Moth’ and ‘Runner’, author has successfully painted the contrast of goal and the difference of seeking the light through different perspective of life. The activities of the ‘terrorists’ group and the way of manipulating & washing the brain of the innocents, their way of operating, everything has been portrayed here very tactfully. The dilemma and the different phases of MO’s heart & and the pressure of his father, the love & care of his mother, the helplessness, the humiliation, the bullying he faced for hailing from a Pakistani background, MO’s inner fight, the inspiring & motivational wisdom of ‘the Old Moth’ and the comparison of the life cycle of Moth to explain the main changes in life thorough such a deep way- everything is mentioned there prominently. It will leave you perplexed with your conception of being, and ultimately ‘You’ have to decide which path you are going to seek and how… This book is an eye opener for many and I enjoyed reading the book to the core. Would love to go through future endeavors of the same author.
Recommendation: I would like to recommend this book to all the avid readers out there who are actually looking for a potentially contained plot with valuable learning of life. The inner messages of this book (particularly the actual significance) aren’t easily extractable for anyone, but a deep dive into the journey of MO will provide you some of the most important lessons that life has to offer you. Give it a shot, it is a worthy read. Thank you.
Favorite lines from the book: “An unwillingness to understand the unfamiliar often ends unhappily.”
“Remember who you are inside. Be like the caterpillar – weave your destiny, protect yourself, and then, in time, you will become an emperor too.”
“The essence of a being doesn’t lie in what is seen, but in what is perceived.”
Rating (Overall): 4/5 Stars.
Author Name: S Pearce
Format: Kindle
No of Pages: 113
Blurb: The blurb portion of the book has been written in a compact way briefly, specifying the core of the book. Thus, it will make the reader curious about the inner story of the book. So, I’d like to say that the blurb is good & apt.
Cover: The cover of the book is simple yet unique in significance (talking about the Moth in the table that we can see in the cover) and I can say that this cover is enough capable of tempting the reader to go through the pages of the book. Still, it could have been a little better, but as it is justifying the substance of the story really well, that’s why I am satisfied with the look of the cover. Good job done by Roger Kwiatkowski.
Title: The title of the book is not only catchy but the most intriguing I can say. It is thought provoking and justifying the protagonist of the book through the title. No doubt, this title is appropriate for the book.
Language & narration: Language of the book is lucid & simple enough to comprehend for any kind of reader. The fast pace simple narrating style made the book a pleasant read; but as per the story content, I would like to suggest that a little more grip while narrating the incidents should have been present there. It is not that the story looked dull or faded anywhere, no, it is not; but a little compact narration would have been more appreciable. Otherwise, it is really good so far. Description are broad, the made the scenes visualizing to the readers.
Plot: Now let me say that the plot is the main USP of this book. The in depth plot with bringing such sensitive issues to nurture with (yes, put front Nationalism into the base of the book often may appear as case sensitive) and more than that, comparing the core changes significantly with the cycle of a Moth and relating them with sub plots (the game episodes), is the most thought provoking idea any author can ever come up with. That’s why I want the book to reach more & more readers.
Characterization: Crystal characterization is one of the positive points of the story. Though there are not many, but still, the overall structures of the characters (be it the protagonist MO or any other character) have been portrayed and developed well according to the need of the story. Especially, the character of the Moth Man / Old Moth is the most significant in the book (excluding the character of MO). Characters are justified according to their respective roles till the end. Let’s look at the names of the overall characters of the story- Mohammad Adil Dhillon aka ‘MO’ aka “Butcher”, his parents, his school friends, teachers, The Moth Man / The Old Moth, “Runner”, the head of the Local Council.
Theme: Life story, Inspirational, Nationalism.
Story in a nutshell: The story revolves around some particular days with various phases of the life of a school going boy MO and some people around him. Mohammad Adil Dhillon (preferably known as MO) was a Muslim boy and his parents were from Pakistan. His childhood was not so pleasant as any child would have wished for. It was not that he had to face any financial crisis or such, but it was always about his way of upbringing, his studies, his social appearance, and everything was controlled by his dominative father, who was literally ‘strict’ on MO in every single matter regarding any issues. Though it was out of concern and care but the outcome of those concerns were not pleasing at all. MO was forced to treat his life in a way he least wanted to. But soon he realized that, it was not just his friends, but his religion also has a major role to play in his life and surroundings. A game in phone gradually opened the door for him to stand with the game of life and game of others. MO was too child to being push into such things. He found himself lost at a point in a complicated riddle, but ‘The Old Moth’ appeared to his rescue by sharing his wisdom regarding the major issues of life to deal with and helped him to seek the way of light. When MO started to put everything in order, the exact moment “Runner” (a major character in this book) crossed his path and revealed to him a view of life & ‘nation’ that MO couldn’t have ever thought in his life.
Is the life of MO going to change forever? If yes, then how? What were the differences between the sides of life that he was being directed to by two different kinds of personalities? Who was ‘the Old Moth’ actually? Where was he trying to direct to MO? Why such an odd name to a person? Does name matters? Who was ‘Runner’ and how did she happen with MO? What was her purpose to fulfill and why she had chosen MO for that? Because of being a Muslim and having Pakistani parents, what kind of ‘special’ treatment he used to get and why so? To know the complete story, grab your copy of the book and dive in to the journey of MO now.
My Verdict: Author Simon Pearce has successfully penned down a potentially rich and valuable journey of MO through this 1st book (among 3) of Spotlight Series. It is really showing spotlight on some major issues of life. Through MO’s life, in a short time span we got to realize that life is never an easy road to travel and has many turns to explore, but one has to keep the core identity intact to reach the ultimate destination and if there is anything to change or block the ways, then we should handle them according to the demand of life. Religion & Nationalism and some other major issues (differences in treating Muslims and other related cruel and inhuman activities) are not new to the country and were much needed to put front with bold statement like this. When we see a ‘terrorist’ with violent activities, in the name of ‘Zihad’ (or whatever they prefer to name it), we never try to find the ‘source’ about why that particular person has selected that specific path and the only way left is to punish by killing them (many places, there are actually not any proper judgment for them still). We have to reach the main ‘source’ who are creating these ‘terrorists’ by manipulating the innocent brain of some tender soul and by brain washing them to fulfill their ‘purpose’ (whatever it is). We have to care for the reason before they started to walk along the path they are not supposed to travel. To stop them, before it is too late, because no one is born ‘terrorist’ so should not become one either; ultimately, terror has nothing to do with ‘peace’. Through the character of ‘the Old Moth’ and ‘Runner’, author has successfully painted the contrast of goal and the difference of seeking the light through different perspective of life. The activities of the ‘terrorists’ group and the way of manipulating & washing the brain of the innocents, their way of operating, everything has been portrayed here very tactfully. The dilemma and the different phases of MO’s heart & and the pressure of his father, the love & care of his mother, the helplessness, the humiliation, the bullying he faced for hailing from a Pakistani background, MO’s inner fight, the inspiring & motivational wisdom of ‘the Old Moth’ and the comparison of the life cycle of Moth to explain the main changes in life thorough such a deep way- everything is mentioned there prominently. It will leave you perplexed with your conception of being, and ultimately ‘You’ have to decide which path you are going to seek and how… This book is an eye opener for many and I enjoyed reading the book to the core. Would love to go through future endeavors of the same author.
Recommendation: I would like to recommend this book to all the avid readers out there who are actually looking for a potentially contained plot with valuable learning of life. The inner messages of this book (particularly the actual significance) aren’t easily extractable for anyone, but a deep dive into the journey of MO will provide you some of the most important lessons that life has to offer you. Give it a shot, it is a worthy read. Thank you.
Favorite lines from the book: “An unwillingness to understand the unfamiliar often ends unhappily.”
“Remember who you are inside. Be like the caterpillar – weave your destiny, protect yourself, and then, in time, you will become an emperor too.”
“The essence of a being doesn’t lie in what is seen, but in what is perceived.”
Rating (Overall): 4/5 Stars.
January 29, 2019
Title: Mo (The Spotlight Tales Book 1)
Author: S Pearce
Publisher: Amazon Asia-Pacific Holdings Private Limited
Number of pages: 116 pages
ASIN: B074SB57JL
ISBN: 1974168883
S Pearce’s novel Mo is a literary delight. The plot is intricate. For not even a second, did my interest as a reader waver while reading the book! In fact, I haven’t stopped thinking about Mo, his friend and his family ever since I’ve read Mo, a novel by S Pearce.
Author S Pearce’s Mo delves into the mind of a young child. It shows how a child who is brought in a strict environment with lots of restrictions either gets bullied or becomes a bully. We see young Mo transform from a student from an in-confident, withdrawn and scared child into a promising and confident student. But the book leaves us wondering if the sheen of transformation is temporary. Did Mo succumb to an inferiority complex that changed his life and that of the others? Or was it religious propaganda?
The novel Mo touches on the recurrent concern of bullying and social discrimination at school. It talks about the effects of an upbringing that is based on fear in a closed society. The novel also touches upon how vulnerable children/people can be brainwashed into becoming a pawn of terrorism.
The novel talks about the problems of the elderly, especially loneliness. The author subtly and beautifully hints of how important it is for the children to interact with the elderly. How such interactions turn out to be mutually beneficial for both the generations. The author S Pearce also touches upon how the synergy between the two generations, is a learning experience for the child and a teaching opportunity for the elderly.
Children from sheltered family backgrounds have trouble making judgments. They get carried away mostly due to a lack of adequate social interaction. The novel Mo tells us why the parents should stop being over-protective. What if it is too late? What if there is no turning back?
Author S Pearce has written a crisp and beautiful book. He understands the psyche of the students and that of the adults. Every bit of the book is relatable and appealing. The similes and metaphors take the novel to the next level. The plot is tight and engrossing.
On a personal note, I read this book Mo, a couple of months back but for personal reasons, I couldn’t get on to write the review for Mo immediately. Not one day has passed since I’ve read the book that I’ve not thought about the novel and its characters.
S Pearce’s novel Mo has left a lasting impression on my mind. This novel is for every parent and every child. This novel is for the teachers, the psychologists, the elderly and everyone else.
It would be a shame to lose out on reading such a wonderful novel. S Pearce’s novel Mo deserves nothing but the best. 5 stars!
Author: S Pearce
Publisher: Amazon Asia-Pacific Holdings Private Limited
Number of pages: 116 pages
ASIN: B074SB57JL
ISBN: 1974168883
S Pearce’s novel Mo is a literary delight. The plot is intricate. For not even a second, did my interest as a reader waver while reading the book! In fact, I haven’t stopped thinking about Mo, his friend and his family ever since I’ve read Mo, a novel by S Pearce.
Author S Pearce’s Mo delves into the mind of a young child. It shows how a child who is brought in a strict environment with lots of restrictions either gets bullied or becomes a bully. We see young Mo transform from a student from an in-confident, withdrawn and scared child into a promising and confident student. But the book leaves us wondering if the sheen of transformation is temporary. Did Mo succumb to an inferiority complex that changed his life and that of the others? Or was it religious propaganda?
The novel Mo touches on the recurrent concern of bullying and social discrimination at school. It talks about the effects of an upbringing that is based on fear in a closed society. The novel also touches upon how vulnerable children/people can be brainwashed into becoming a pawn of terrorism.
The novel talks about the problems of the elderly, especially loneliness. The author subtly and beautifully hints of how important it is for the children to interact with the elderly. How such interactions turn out to be mutually beneficial for both the generations. The author S Pearce also touches upon how the synergy between the two generations, is a learning experience for the child and a teaching opportunity for the elderly.
Children from sheltered family backgrounds have trouble making judgments. They get carried away mostly due to a lack of adequate social interaction. The novel Mo tells us why the parents should stop being over-protective. What if it is too late? What if there is no turning back?
Author S Pearce has written a crisp and beautiful book. He understands the psyche of the students and that of the adults. Every bit of the book is relatable and appealing. The similes and metaphors take the novel to the next level. The plot is tight and engrossing.
On a personal note, I read this book Mo, a couple of months back but for personal reasons, I couldn’t get on to write the review for Mo immediately. Not one day has passed since I’ve read the book that I’ve not thought about the novel and its characters.
S Pearce’s novel Mo has left a lasting impression on my mind. This novel is for every parent and every child. This novel is for the teachers, the psychologists, the elderly and everyone else.
It would be a shame to lose out on reading such a wonderful novel. S Pearce’s novel Mo deserves nothing but the best. 5 stars!
Read
February 6, 2021The start reminded me of 'How to kill the mockingbird'. Later, the intruiging Mothman, had me rivetted. A gentle reminder, of childhoods gone by & long, lazy afternoons in commune with nature.
December 11, 2018
Mo is the first in a series of books which are aimed at placing a spotlight on today’s social issues. We first encounter Mo when he is being encouraged by a friend to throw rocks at a shed in the garden, of an old recluse who the children know as Moth Man, bordering the local park. As we get to know Mo’s character, we see that he is a young boy who has recently moved from his familiar junior school into the local Comprehensive High School. For some reason, he missed taking the 11+ exam on time, but he has been given another opportunity. Mo’s father is insistent that he should pass this test so that he can move into a grammar school and is paying for a tutor in order to help Mo. Since becoming acquainted with a new friend in his class Mo feels like he can get adjusted to High School, so his father’s insistence on him taking a test that might result in another move is a bit daunting.
On the way home from school, Mo’s friend introduces him to a new video game, Bug Blaster and a chat group where he can get cheats to move to a higher level. Being distracted by the game, Mo leaves his school bag in the park. Through a series of events Mo gets to know Moth Man and he finds him to be quite different from the person he had once perceived him to be. Instead of being scary, Mo realizes the elderly man is wise and kind. He thinks about writing about Moth Man in the hope that others would also look at him in a different way. Sadly, when Mo is questioned by his father about his schoolwork, he ends up telling a lie which mushrooms into a series of bad choices, miscommunication and false perceptions ultimately leading Mo down a dangerous path.
This seems to be a coming of age story dealing with the struggles of a young Pakistani boy who has led somewhat of a sheltered life in a family where his father is strict and seems somewhat harsh. As the story progresses and the characters are more developed, we see that Mo’s parents really want what is best for their son but a lack of communication and understanding leads to unnecessary problems for Mo.
At the same time, this story sheds a spotlight on the issues facing society today, those of extremism, ignorance, bullying, the pressures to conform, isolation and terrorism.
The book does not provide a happy or even a neat conclusion to the story. Instead, the reader is left to think about how the book should end. What choice should Mo make, or perhaps what choice would you make?
I think this is a book that should be read by parents, those that are planning to be parents, educators, leaders of religious groups, and young mature adults.
On the way home from school, Mo’s friend introduces him to a new video game, Bug Blaster and a chat group where he can get cheats to move to a higher level. Being distracted by the game, Mo leaves his school bag in the park. Through a series of events Mo gets to know Moth Man and he finds him to be quite different from the person he had once perceived him to be. Instead of being scary, Mo realizes the elderly man is wise and kind. He thinks about writing about Moth Man in the hope that others would also look at him in a different way. Sadly, when Mo is questioned by his father about his schoolwork, he ends up telling a lie which mushrooms into a series of bad choices, miscommunication and false perceptions ultimately leading Mo down a dangerous path.
This seems to be a coming of age story dealing with the struggles of a young Pakistani boy who has led somewhat of a sheltered life in a family where his father is strict and seems somewhat harsh. As the story progresses and the characters are more developed, we see that Mo’s parents really want what is best for their son but a lack of communication and understanding leads to unnecessary problems for Mo.
At the same time, this story sheds a spotlight on the issues facing society today, those of extremism, ignorance, bullying, the pressures to conform, isolation and terrorism.
The book does not provide a happy or even a neat conclusion to the story. Instead, the reader is left to think about how the book should end. What choice should Mo make, or perhaps what choice would you make?
I think this is a book that should be read by parents, those that are planning to be parents, educators, leaders of religious groups, and young mature adults.
January 23, 2019
I'm pleased I finally got around to reading Mo; it has been in my list for far too long - but was well worth the wait!
Mo is a young lad who finds his friends have not only turned their back on him, but now actively attack him both verbally and physically. When they also begin to attack others, he suddenly understands how they perceive him. Add in to the mix some master manipulators, and will he remain the even-tempered boy he has been until now?
This is, more than anything, a read which will make you think - long after reaching the final page. It is fair to say I have never read anything like it before. It is, on it's own, a great tale about a young boy from a decent family and the things which matter in his world. Making the acquaintance of an elderly man who lives nearby enriches Mo's life and expands his interests, but there are others lurking in the shadows happy to use Mo for their own ends. Which way will he fall?
This is one of the most cleverly-written novels I've come across. Thought provoking really doesn't begin to cover it! I feel as if a part of my brain has suddenly been awakened, and when I see certain items on the news in future I will think about what lies behind them. Absolutely awesome! I cannot recommend this enough - you would be missing out if you didn't add this to your reading pile!
My thanks to author Simon Pearce for my copy of his novel. The decision to review and the opinions here are entirely my own.
Mo is a young lad who finds his friends have not only turned their back on him, but now actively attack him both verbally and physically. When they also begin to attack others, he suddenly understands how they perceive him. Add in to the mix some master manipulators, and will he remain the even-tempered boy he has been until now?
This is, more than anything, a read which will make you think - long after reaching the final page. It is fair to say I have never read anything like it before. It is, on it's own, a great tale about a young boy from a decent family and the things which matter in his world. Making the acquaintance of an elderly man who lives nearby enriches Mo's life and expands his interests, but there are others lurking in the shadows happy to use Mo for their own ends. Which way will he fall?
This is one of the most cleverly-written novels I've come across. Thought provoking really doesn't begin to cover it! I feel as if a part of my brain has suddenly been awakened, and when I see certain items on the news in future I will think about what lies behind them. Absolutely awesome! I cannot recommend this enough - you would be missing out if you didn't add this to your reading pile!
My thanks to author Simon Pearce for my copy of his novel. The decision to review and the opinions here are entirely my own.
January 22, 2023
A fantabulous tale of fantasy that hovers over reality. A book perceived in any way reaches out to its audience scintillating enough to examine the perception of a person's belief. The story unfolds with a young boy named "Mo" who wonders about a "Moth man" and the belief of his faith in the world which later changes as the story unveils.
"Mo" the real unbelievably stares at real world that tosses challenges to him starting from parents to teachers and to everything around him. The injustice and ignorance towards an innocent person who then and thereby are trapped by so-called the Jihadist fate has been portrayed so well that it seemed that the author wrote the context after an unusual and substantial research clubbed with his own personal experience.
This is the author's very first debut novel and he presents the story in the most poised yet in a storming notion. It jolts the reader to ask questions to himself about how an innocent boy addicted to a gaming app suffers the atrocities of the society from nowhere and what options are left to him!
The ideologies in the book had been so well written that sharing an excerpt from the book became the need of the hour as just in a paragraph, it summarizes the entire life of a person.
“All creatures undergo a period of change, including you and me. And caterpillars. To discover who we are and what we want, we must take steps to forge our futures. You do this, in school perhaps. You learn your subjects, you excel in some and take exams. And you discover what you’ll be, transforming into adulthood, from boy to man. The caterpillar eats and grows, becomes this size,” he said, pointing once more at the creature, which continued to build the cocoon, oblivious to the eyes peering down upon it. “This one’s a late developer. But he is ready now for his exam, his transformation. He’ll become an Emperor.”
-Mo (The Spotlight Tales Book 1) by S Pearce, Page no. 46
Overall, the book is a must read and an ideology that can not be missed..!
Rating: 5/5
"Mo" the real unbelievably stares at real world that tosses challenges to him starting from parents to teachers and to everything around him. The injustice and ignorance towards an innocent person who then and thereby are trapped by so-called the Jihadist fate has been portrayed so well that it seemed that the author wrote the context after an unusual and substantial research clubbed with his own personal experience.
This is the author's very first debut novel and he presents the story in the most poised yet in a storming notion. It jolts the reader to ask questions to himself about how an innocent boy addicted to a gaming app suffers the atrocities of the society from nowhere and what options are left to him!
The ideologies in the book had been so well written that sharing an excerpt from the book became the need of the hour as just in a paragraph, it summarizes the entire life of a person.
“All creatures undergo a period of change, including you and me. And caterpillars. To discover who we are and what we want, we must take steps to forge our futures. You do this, in school perhaps. You learn your subjects, you excel in some and take exams. And you discover what you’ll be, transforming into adulthood, from boy to man. The caterpillar eats and grows, becomes this size,” he said, pointing once more at the creature, which continued to build the cocoon, oblivious to the eyes peering down upon it. “This one’s a late developer. But he is ready now for his exam, his transformation. He’ll become an Emperor.”
-Mo (The Spotlight Tales Book 1) by S Pearce, Page no. 46
Overall, the book is a must read and an ideology that can not be missed..!
Rating: 5/5
September 30, 2018
The moth must choose whose window sill he will land on.
An intriguing story about a young Muslim boy Mohammed (Mo) trying to find his way in the world. He is torn between two people, a grandfatherly gentlemen and a world wise young woman who we only know as Runner, each battling for his attention.This struggle that Mo is in unbeknown to either of his parents, who think he is concentrating on his studies. Runner is able to entice Mo with a cell phone, something he is forbidden to have. Old Moth on the other hand teaches Mo the complexities of the world through his love of bugs .
The book is like a maze , each turn leading you down a different hall. Simon Pearce has created an amazing book and group of characters. I found myself forgetting the time as I eagerly turned each page. This book ends with cliffhanger and leads into a second book . Personally I can not wait to see what happens to each of these characters respectfully .
An intriguing story about a young Muslim boy Mohammed (Mo) trying to find his way in the world. He is torn between two people, a grandfatherly gentlemen and a world wise young woman who we only know as Runner, each battling for his attention.This struggle that Mo is in unbeknown to either of his parents, who think he is concentrating on his studies. Runner is able to entice Mo with a cell phone, something he is forbidden to have. Old Moth on the other hand teaches Mo the complexities of the world through his love of bugs .
The book is like a maze , each turn leading you down a different hall. Simon Pearce has created an amazing book and group of characters. I found myself forgetting the time as I eagerly turned each page. This book ends with cliffhanger and leads into a second book . Personally I can not wait to see what happens to each of these characters respectfully .
December 7, 2018
A turbulent story of a young Muslim boy Mo who faces racial discrimination in the United Kingdom and compelled to think about radicalization, but his conscience doesn't allow him to go in that direction.
Simon Pearce beautifully depicted the portrayal of a young Muslim boy who is in a dilemma to take the right decision under the circumstances which he feels not in his favor
Simon Pearce beautifully depicted the portrayal of a young Muslim boy who is in a dilemma to take the right decision under the circumstances which he feels not in his favor
April 27, 2019
Interesting and perhaps worthy of a 4 but I just couldn't come to terms with the abrupt, unfinished ending. I understand why the author chose to do this and it would make an excellent novel for discussion in the classroom with the many conflicting influences in the story leading Mo to a potentially defining crossroads in his life. It just wasn't for me.
September 28, 2018
Mo, a Muslim, suffers from racial insults and bullying. He's encouraged and enticed to become radical.
Bullying happens. It's sad. The answer starts at home. In some ways Mo's father bullied him.
Misunderstanding blinds a person. Mo rose above it. Will he continue in that path?
Bullying happens. It's sad. The answer starts at home. In some ways Mo's father bullied him.
Misunderstanding blinds a person. Mo rose above it. Will he continue in that path?
January 24, 2019
Do your associates influence your life positively or negatively? Do you prefer changing your government name to a different name you like?
MO is a story about a young teenage boy who hated his government names and preferred the name MO. He is intelligent and knows how to play his cards. He discerned when to react to a situation and when to remain calm. He is cautious, innocent, open-minded and a lover of justice. He endures strict supervision of his parents who always wants a better life for him.
Within MO's locality, there lived a man named Moth man, who was tagged to be a dangerous person and children were not allowed to go near him. At first, MO would meet Moth man and chills would attack him and made him suffer acute movement disorder, but as time went by, Mo became curious and wanted to know about Moth man. His research result of Moth man turned out to be the opposite of what the majority said about him. And just like that, a bridge was created. MO would sneak from home or sometimes fail to go to school just to hang out with Moth-man. He realized they both had mutual preferences, which strengthened their bond of friendship.
MO's love for online video games attracted another friendship with an online stranger, runner, who later introduced him to some group that had a mission to free their community from oppression and mistreatment by the government. Did MO commit himself to the task? What happened to MO's friendship and Moth Man?
I realized some themes that were nicely reflected in the story, such as video games, friendship, religion, family, social groups, ethnicity, education and activism. The author vividly conveyed a dark truth in a light manner, which is commendable. There are a couple of inspiring life lessons in the story.
Generally, the plot and characters are masterfully and diligently developed. The story line is engaging and captivating. I'd recommend the book to young adults, who are in the wake of finding themselves
MO is a story about a young teenage boy who hated his government names and preferred the name MO. He is intelligent and knows how to play his cards. He discerned when to react to a situation and when to remain calm. He is cautious, innocent, open-minded and a lover of justice. He endures strict supervision of his parents who always wants a better life for him.
Within MO's locality, there lived a man named Moth man, who was tagged to be a dangerous person and children were not allowed to go near him. At first, MO would meet Moth man and chills would attack him and made him suffer acute movement disorder, but as time went by, Mo became curious and wanted to know about Moth man. His research result of Moth man turned out to be the opposite of what the majority said about him. And just like that, a bridge was created. MO would sneak from home or sometimes fail to go to school just to hang out with Moth-man. He realized they both had mutual preferences, which strengthened their bond of friendship.
MO's love for online video games attracted another friendship with an online stranger, runner, who later introduced him to some group that had a mission to free their community from oppression and mistreatment by the government. Did MO commit himself to the task? What happened to MO's friendship and Moth Man?
I realized some themes that were nicely reflected in the story, such as video games, friendship, religion, family, social groups, ethnicity, education and activism. The author vividly conveyed a dark truth in a light manner, which is commendable. There are a couple of inspiring life lessons in the story.
Generally, the plot and characters are masterfully and diligently developed. The story line is engaging and captivating. I'd recommend the book to young adults, who are in the wake of finding themselves
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