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TERRIBILITA BY BEN WYCKOFF SHORE
Some authors possess a very subtle but potent knack for continuously compelling their reader’s attention, a talent for plotting and presence that makes the avid reader almost unwittingly keep turning pages. Most assuredly, author Ben Wyckoff Shore possesses this particular knack, and his desperately-good historical novel, Terribilita, demonstrates an invaluable storytelling talent right from the start. Undercurrents of passionately-deep emotion underly the almost matter-of-fact narration of an old Italian family, the Ferrandos, whose patriarchal head, an instantly-impressive old war hero, proves his outsized worth way too early, then is gone; whose son, a fiery and impulsive heir, is eager to prove himself equal to the family name; and whose own son, a more sensitive creative type, has obediently gone off to sea for self-protection and to learn about the world.
It bears repeating: Ben Wyckoff Shore demonstrates impeccable storytelling skills in this perfectly-paced novel, Terribilita. These are in addition to his writing skills, which reflect a similar if more technically-based attention to detail. Plotting, pacing, timing, and organization of storyline are flawless. Informative passages never detract from story. Dialogue is pitch perfect. Such observations, however, miss a much larger and more important point: Shore has told a most wonderfully-engaging, powerfully-propelled tale about family and romantic love, with bold adventures both on sea and land, during absolutely fascinating times, and in thoroughly exotic places. Including deftly inserted moments of understated but highly appreciated humorous relief. A story compelling enough to keep one ever turning pages. What more pleasure could a reader want, except maybe a few more pages?
B. SHORE
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Joel R. Dennstedt – Top Reviewer for Readers’ Favorite
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