The Bracelet

S. Alan Schweitzer
Eloquent Books (2009)
ISBN 9781606938003
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (5/09) 


S. Alan Schweitzer’s “The Bracelet” is a complex and involving tale. While it took me a while to really “get into it,” and while some of the ideas discussed were just a bit too technical for me, overall I found it very entertaining and intriguing reading.

Ray Willis, a scientist in the emerging field of nanotechnology engineering, comes into possession of a fascinating object, left to him by his dying uncle Frank. The bracelet, which was originally discovered close to the Nazca lines in Peru, is unbeknownst to Ray really an alien device, which enables Ray to link with his previous lives. The life-changing experience throws him for a loop, since it seems that his previous life was really not “real” - and better yet, nobody seems to remember him. He appears to be somebody totally different, an individual named Jason Schindler. Ray gradually discovers the sinister truth behind the bracelet and gets deeply involved in the ensuing struggle for domination and power. Most of the people he meets on his path turn out to be something or somebody else than what and who he believes them to be. Many fascinating ideas are discussed, among the best and the most enthralling ones the duality of the good and the evil as well as the existence of parallel worlds and inter-dimensional transfers. As in most good stories, love does not fail to make an appearance as well – Ray seems to be falling more and more for one of his fellow seekers for the truth, a young lady by the name of Karenna. When all is revealed, will we still have a world that we know left? Which of the truths is Ray’s real truth?

While undoubtedly intelligently written and filled with provocative ideas and situations, the somewhat choppy storyline was difficult to follow at times. An added deterrent to my enjoyment of the book was the clear need for professional proofreading. Mistakes such as, “Ray has fallen spell under the cinematic influences…”, “It’s style…was not consistent with…”, “Relieved … that they have escaped their captives…” are not something that would be discovered by a spellchecker, but a live person should be able to catch them.

I’ve also failed to connect emotionally with the hero, Ray, as well as his partner, Karenna. There seemed to be a certain lack of depth to the characters, and they did not have enough warmth to make me really relate to them. 

In spite of the aforementioned, I’ve enjoyed reading “The Bracelet” by S. Alan Schweitzer and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anybody who enjoys a good sci-fi thriller and intelligent writing.

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