A Quest for Immortality

John Klopfer
AuthorHouse (2009)
ISBN 9781438964911
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (9/09)

 

Dr. Carollyn Morris-Bower travels to Daytona with one specific mission - to find the grandfather she has never met.  She and her two sons, Jason and Nathaniel, go to Caribbean Charkey’s, a run-down seafood restaurant, and are immediately welcomed by the owner who regales them with stories of the restaurant’s history as well as his own life.  Although initially there is tension between Jason and the old man, the four of them quickly bond as they discover they have several common interests.  As the days progress, their relationships are strengthened as they begin to understand their pasts and look forward to the future.

“A Quest for Immortality” is John Klopfer's first book and overall it is nicely written.  He does a good job of keeping the reader’s attention even though there is very little action in the story.  (By this I mean the story is more about the relationships between the characters, so it is more conversation than physical activity.)  The stories told by the old man are not only interesting, but many of them provide good history lessons.  The author cleverly refrains from providing the main character’s name until the end of the book by simply referring to him as “the old man” or “the captain.”  By doing this, the reader will not focus on one specific man’s behaviors, but can instead see himself or society as a whole in the man’s actions.  The only element of his writing that bothers me is the conversations between the characters are too formal.  They hardly ever use contractions.

The story revolves around several elements including: love, forgiveness, justice, and change.  It shows how a prejudiced and hated man evolved into a generous and well-loved one.  It also depicts how love can endure even after one partner dies.  The most touching scene occurs when the man reads a letter from his estranged daughter.  Everyone who reads this book will likely become emotionally involved with at least one of the characters.

Due to its strong emotional elements, “A Quest for Immortality” by John Klopfer will be most enjoyed by adult females.  There are lessons in this story that can benefit everyone, but they may be especially helpful to those with estranged family members.

Make comment on weblog