Book Review. Interconnected by Mary Meddlemore/Martie Preller

 

Title:   Interconnected (Book 4. The Story Dimension)
Author:   Mary Meddlemore/Martie Preller
ASIN:  B00QFNX0YO
Published:  9^th January 2015
Pages:  131
Genre:  Fiction/Fantasy/Metaphysical

Body of review:

I’ve had the pleasure of reading the previous three books in the Story Dimension Series (and also the stories in The Seventh Sheep) even before it had taken full shape. The connections are now quite clear but I would find it difficult to comment on how easy it will be to read this book in isolation from the other three (Entering, In the Reign of the Ilev, and Forever After, A Dimensional Love Story) although I suspect this novel would be a wonderful flight of fancy and a puzzle on its own right.

If I had to highlight a theme that runs through the series it is the importance and the power of stories and how they can conjure up feelings, bring people together, and change people’s lives.

Interconnected has two distinct parts with the same protagonist but not quite. A young woman called Christina in nowadays South Africa taking part in a photo shoot that ends up being only an excuse for…mysterious happenings is the main character in part one. How does she relate to the girl by the same name in the second part, who is living in a post-apocalyptic society, and trying to find a place to rebuild a civilisation? I’m not going to tell you. You’ll have to read it to find out.

Mary Meddlemore, the character who plays a very important part in Forever After, and alter ego of award-winning South African writer Martie Preller, weaves poetic language, philosophical musings and ethical questions into a tale that challenges our understanding of narrative, reality and authorship.

A young woman trying to find her true identity; the same (?) young woman trying to build a new civilization by reading stories, preserving books and liberating Lady Liberty. This is a book of magic and wonders, and does not fit easily in any genres. Full of unique characters, mystical events and layer upon layer of stories and interpretations, Interconnected proclaims the deep connection between all human beings, the beauty of language and the way we create meaning through narration. If you have plenty of imagination and love books and stories, I recommend you go exploring the Story Dimension Series.

What the book is about: A young woman, Christina, trying to find her identity/save the world in different versions of reality.

 Book Highlights: Strange happenings, alternative realities, amazing characters, bizarre creatures, and a novel about the importance of stories and books.

 Challenges of the book: I have read the previous books in the series and could tie together the connections and clues of the story, but it might be more challenging for people not familiar with the previous series.

 What do you get from it: A flight of fancy and access to the work of an extraordinary writer whose work is, mostly, only available in Afrikaans.

 What I would have changed if anything:  I might have added more of an introduction or recapitulation of Forever After or even have published the two books as a pack or a combo.  On the other hand I’m a big fan of Forever After so this might not be such an issue for readers who come to this work anew.

 Who Would I recommend this book to?: Anybody who loves stories and has plenty of imagination.

Ratings:
Realistic Characterization: 3.5/5
Made Me Think: 5/5
Overall enjoyment: 5/5
Readability: 4.5/5
Recommended: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5/5
 

Buy it at:  Amazon
Format & Pricing: At the moment only available in Amazon in e-version
Paperback:  
Kindle: $3.94

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QFNX0YO/

 

 

 

 

Olga Núñez Miret

@OlgaNM7

http://OlgaNM.wordpress.com

http://www.OlgaNM.com

 

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