Power and Circumstance By Delinda McCann
Review by William MacFarland - Author Back Channel
Power and Circumstance is an absorbing and somewhat haunting must-read for readers who are touched by – or simply interested in – the lives and problems faced by family caregivers to family members with mental disability or illness. It is narrated in the first person by two individuals – Celia McKinsey who lives on a farm in British Columbia with her husband Kevin – who is apparently suffering from Alzheimer’s or something similar, and Jacob “Jake” Jaconovich – the newly installed leader of a small and emerging country which is never explicitly named. (Jake says he is half a world away, however. That would put him in the UTC+3 time zone. Google UTC+3 for possible candidates.)
Although Jake’s mother, who is being cared for by his father, seems to have a far less severe case of Alzheimer’s than does Kevin, Jake is concerned enough to search the internet for help and advice. He serendipitously comes across a blog, which has been created by Celia to connect to other caregivers who want to share their experiences, concerns and suggested solutions to the myriad of problems they all face daily. Jake joins the group and almost from the outset finds comfort and wisdom in Celia’s comments. Celia is impressed by the warmth and understanding of his comments and eventually Jake and Celia exchange private email addresses to swap comments and observations outside the public space of the blog. In the process, they become (unspokenly) very attracted to one another and the reader will enjoy seeing this growing affection artfully described by Ms. Mccann.
There is much more to hold the reader’s attention. In his new position of President, Jake skillfully deals with an attempted coup, begins a program to establish water reserves for irrigation by building dams and creating lakes, slowly but successfully challenges the abuses perpetrated by some of the nation’s most powerful families, and begins a program for the metamorphosis of his country from a banana-republic like country to a modern democratic society. Celia has far fewer (read zero) chances to make such sweeping social changes but we see her evolve and ripen due to her increased self-understanding (much of which has been through emotional self-examination prompted by Jake’s thoughtful observations). The reader will enjoy the often tumultuous trip to the cliff-hanger ending.
Review by William MacFarland - Author Back Channel
Power and Circumstance is an absorbing and somewhat haunting must-read for readers who are touched by – or simply interested in – the lives and problems faced by family caregivers to family members with mental disability or illness. It is narrated in the first person by two individuals – Celia McKinsey who lives on a farm in British Columbia with her husband Kevin – who is apparently suffering from Alzheimer’s or something similar, and Jacob “Jake” Jaconovich – the newly installed leader of a small and emerging country which is never explicitly named. (Jake says he is half a world away, however. That would put him in the UTC+3 time zone. Google UTC+3 for possible candidates.)
Although Jake’s mother, who is being cared for by his father, seems to have a far less severe case of Alzheimer’s than does Kevin, Jake is concerned enough to search the internet for help and advice. He serendipitously comes across a blog, which has been created by Celia to connect to other caregivers who want to share their experiences, concerns and suggested solutions to the myriad of problems they all face daily. Jake joins the group and almost from the outset finds comfort and wisdom in Celia’s comments. Celia is impressed by the warmth and understanding of his comments and eventually Jake and Celia exchange private email addresses to swap comments and observations outside the public space of the blog. In the process, they become (unspokenly) very attracted to one another and the reader will enjoy seeing this growing affection artfully described by Ms. Mccann.
There is much more to hold the reader’s attention. In his new position of President, Jake skillfully deals with an attempted coup, begins a program to establish water reserves for irrigation by building dams and creating lakes, slowly but successfully challenges the abuses perpetrated by some of the nation’s most powerful families, and begins a program for the metamorphosis of his country from a banana-republic like country to a modern democratic society. Celia has far fewer (read zero) chances to make such sweeping social changes but we see her evolve and ripen due to her increased self-understanding (much of which has been through emotional self-examination prompted by Jake’s thoughtful observations). The reader will enjoy the often tumultuous trip to the cliff-hanger ending.
Where to buy Power and Circumstance.
The book is available for order anywhere books are sold.
Ask your library to buy Power and Circumstance
Amazon:
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Power-Circumstance-Delinda-McCann/dp/1938586743/ref
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Power-Circumstance-Delinda-McCann-ebook/dp/B00QQLUKA2/ref
Barnes and Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Power-and-Circumstance-by-Delinda-McCann?keyword=Power+and+Circumstance+by+Delinda+McCann&store=nookstore
The book is available for order anywhere books are sold.
Ask your library to buy Power and Circumstance
Amazon:
Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Power-Circumstance-Delinda-McCann/dp/1938586743/ref
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Power-Circumstance-Delinda-McCann-ebook/dp/B00QQLUKA2/ref
Barnes and Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Power-and-Circumstance-by-Delinda-McCann?keyword=Power+and+Circumstance+by+Delinda+McCann&store=nookstore