From the Neck Up

Erik Flores
Eldrecko Press (2009)  
ISBN 9780578023526
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (08/10)


Martin Romaine has built a vast enterprise with his motivational seminars that inspire people to improve their lives.  He performs in front of huge crowds across the country, preaching that hard work will help you get what you want out of life.  While heading to Florida for a much-needed vacation, Martin's plane malfunctions and goes down in a remote location.  He is soon forgotten and presumed dead.  Mona, Martin’s sister, decides to create “Marty” in Martin’s likeness - except Marty is more hip and laid back.  As Marty replaces Martin, the message the audiences receive changes completely.  It becomes about doing only the things you want to do and getting other people to do everything else.  As this new philosophy spreads the way society functions is dramatically altered.

I found it interesting to watch how what motivated each character changed as the story progressed.  Martin was on top of the world, but one unfortunate incident affected his outlook forever.  Mona, who idolized her brother, went to extreme lengths to make a new prototype of him that could be even greater than the original.  Joe Median (who symbolizes the average guy on the street) worked his way to success with Martin’s philosophies, but when he adapted to Marty’s ways, things drastically changed.  Randolph Shuron, a former bodybuilder and guest speaker at many of the seminars, always lived in Martin’s shadow.  When Marty arrived, Randolph got a chance to shine, but his efforts fell short.  The author brilliantly portrayed how the relationships people have with different individuals affected their lives.

The author is very descriptive.  He vividly describes the sights and smells of the garbage piling up on city streets because no one was inclined to do such menial jobs anymore.  He also gives a lively account of the people’s actions (i.e., the hoopla of the large audiences and Martin’s stage antics).  The use of this style allows the reader to feel a greater interest and involvement in the story.

“From the Neck Up” is an eye-opening story that provides the lesson that society needs people of varied skill levels and talents to function properly.  The book will appeal to a broad adult audience.  It will definitely lead to some interesting debates on how to best achieve success.

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