Hindsight is 2020

Posted on: February 3rd, 2024 by Chelsea Burdick
Author: D.C. Martin Title: Hindsight is 2020 Subject: Fiction Release Date: August 16, 2023 Reviewer: Chelsea Burdick
Hindsight is 2020 is a multi-generational family saga about the McLean family that engages the reader right from the beginning and provides thought-provoking situations and elements that will stay with readers long after they finish the book. The main character, Gerry, is an older gentleman who is plagued with anxiety and finds himself in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. The pandemic offers him the opportunity to reflect on not only his past but his family’s past while also considering his future. The story is told in an interesting format that combines flashbacks, memories, multiple points of view, and more. It also features many different settings, making it fast-paced and engrossing. Readers who enjoy introspection as well as multi-generational memoirs will love Hindsight is 2020. The manuscript is quite clean and free of any grammatical errors. It has clearly been well proofread and edited. The writing style comes across as intelligent and reasonable. Readers should not have any trouble following the storyline and understanding what is happening in each scene. The story does change timelines and perspectives from chapter to chapter, which some readers will not prefer. The author does execute the multiple perspectives well, however. One of Martin’s strengths as a writer is his ability to craft characters that are extremely well-developed and evoke emotions in the reader. Martin’s characters are relatable and realistic, allowing readers to commiserate and empathize with their plight. The character development is the true highlight of Hindsight is 2020. The intended audience is most likely a mixture of people who enjoy contemporary or literary fiction. Those who enjoy memoirs or family sagas might also find Hindsight 2020 an enjoyable read. The multi-generational perspectives will appeal to a wide range of readers. At just under three hundred pages, Hindsight is 2020 is a fairly easy read and should not be overwhelming for most readers. Gerry’s experience in a pandemic will also resonate with readers who experienced the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Overall, Hindsight is 2020 is an engaging family saga that will resonate with readers in a variety of ways. The multi-generational perspectives allow readers to find characters that they connect with on a number of different levels. The novel is incredibly well written making it enjoyable to read. The McLean family’s experiences are profound and endearing and it will provide a thought-provoking experience for readers. It is one of those books that readers won’t be able to walk away from without constantly thinking about the characters and lessons within the book.

Buy Paperback Amazon-Buy-Button

or

Emily

Posted on: August 24th, 2025 by Terence J. Lee
Author: Terence J. Lee

Title: Emily

Subject: Science Fiction

Release Date: August 1, 2025

Reviewer: Chelsea Burdick

Emily by Terence J. Lee is a sci-fi thriller that will pull readers in from the first paragraph of the prologue. Set in the future, the Earth is in the final throes of climate destruction as scientists attempt to find ways to inhabit Jupiter’s moon Europa. Arnaud leaves his family behind as he travels to Europa while his wife Claire must face the consequences of her past choices and his daughter Emily discovers her true purpose. The story explores the implications of genetic modifications, morality in science, ulterior motives and more in a nove that is nearly impossible to put down.

The writing in Emily is phenomenal. It is easy to read and follow even with the sometimes complex scientific elements within this story. Science fiction is a genre that readers can often get bogged down in the scientific elements so it is important that an author writes in a way that engages the reader and Lee nailed it. The vocabulary is consistent and easy to understand as are the scientific explanations. It has been well proofread and is free of grammatical errors which improves its readability as well. It is clear that the author is a talented writer and understands his intended audience.

Science fiction topics can often be complex. When an author attempts to write a realistic science fiction story it can often be difficult for the story line and the scientific elements to be believable to the reader. It requires the author to do a substantial amount of research and have a clear understanding of the topic in which he or she is writing about. Lee did a fantastic job with this element of Emily. He clearly did lots of research and has an excellent understanding of the complex ideas he incorporated into his novel.

The intended audience for this novel is likely those that enjoy realistic science fiction that explores elements of climate change, space exploration, mental health, genetic manipulation and more. While the plot of Emily explores lots of complex topics, it is written in a way that even casual readers will enjoy the story. It would be a great option for readers looking to try out the genre for the first time.

Outstanding writing, an engaging plotline, excellent research, and easy to understand scientific details earns Emily by Terence J. Lee a five out of five

rating. It is thoroughly enjoyably book that is perfect for readers looking to dip their toes into the scifi genre as well as for seasoned readers.


Buy Paperback
Amazon-Buy-Button