Descent The R. Connors Story
by Simon Cleveland
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Book Summary Information
Author: Simon ClevelandEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-04-09
ISBN: 0557061024
Number of pages: 130
Publisher: lulu.com
Book Reviews of Descent The R. Connors Story
Book Review: 'What is a memory ...if not a sound of our consciousness.'
Summary: 4 Stars
Simon Cleveland is obviously a very bright man: he has a successful career in the Information Technology field working for companies like Time Warner America Online, Accenture, Avanade and General Dynamics, NASA, Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security and the largest cancer research institution in the world MD Anderson Cancer Center, and he has successfully published two works that emphasize the role culture plays in the development of human personality.
All these elements are combined in DESCENT: THE R. CONNORS STORY and at times in this taut thriller his background becomes too apparent for the average reader to accept as part of the story. For instance, his scientific bent distorts his narrative flow as in the following: 'Fear, however, made it through on the back of light's photons. It entered forcefully Ray's retinas and momentarily ascended over the amygdale [sic]. The feeling that spread across his whole body could only be described as a sensation of extreme dread. In a fraction of a millisecond, his eyes widened in anticipation of what could happen next, The pupils dilated to take in more light, his upper lip rose, while his brows drew together.' Not that the information is wrong: it is unnecessarily pedantic and intrusive.
Writing a review of this story is risky. Many readers will get the gist of the novel from a careful reading of the title - it is right there. But for the general reader saying more about the 'triad' of people involved in this adventure - Roy, Ray, Maya - would destroy the tension. It is a well written account of the manner in which the mind can implode and the permutations of such an event. For this reader the story, no matter how interesting, is simply too rapidly and unrelentingly paced. Yes, it can be read in one sitting, but doing so would exhaust concentration. There are no moments for the story to rest, breathe, and then continue. Everything happens full speed ahead.
But the technique just described could very well be the intent of Simon Cleveland. This is after all a story about the inner workings and malfunctions of the mind and the use of the speedy narrative may be mimicking the frazzled neuron activity of a mind coming apart. In all, Cleveland gives notice of a bright and gifted writer. It will be interesting to see how his next novel progresses his career. Grady Harp, June 09
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