Time for another book review (yeah!!). This one is called Reaching Discontent by a writer named Hagler. I got offered the chance to read this book by one of the author's friends who happened to read the review I gave of A Spy At Home and, as such, here's my review.
Reaching Discontent is the story of an ex-boxer turned English teacher named Iron who lives in post apartheid Cape Town, South Africa. I would like to mention that the location of this book was a real plus to me and it seemed like a whole other in itself in the book. Having never been to South Africa (or even remotely close) the descriptions of the people and the city were real pleasant.
Moving on, as stated previously the title character is named Iron and he's a former boxer (the reason why he stopped is something I won't spoil for you but fits well into the story) turned school teacher. Students at the school he teaches at get involved in drugs and that's when things start to take a turn for the worst for Iron.
At times I found the book a bit lengthy but, at the end, I think it ended up being just right. Once the story really gets going it takes off and the course of the book takes place in the span of one weeks time (which, when I got to the end I was like "Damn, really?!?!") and shows just how fast a life can get thrown off track, especially when someone is trying to do the right thing.
My only "issue" with the book was that I didn't find it a page turner by any means, especially at the beginning. There were times when I put it down and took a few days off in between readings but you may not have that issue.
So, what is my rating. I give this a solid 4 out of 5 stars. You get a very engaging story and the characters are not one dimensional - each of them have their own demons and the actions they take have consequences, sometimes dire, to those they love.
Recommended reading!
About the author:
Hagler grew up in a small rural town in the heartland of Afrikaner dominated South Africa before moving to Cape Town to attend university and attain a degree in English and History. He lived in Cape Town for more than eighteen years, from the age of eighteen, and during that time travelled the vast rail network, witnessing and enduring some of the types of crimes perpetrated in the novel. As the chairman of the local Neighbourhood Watch he helped keep the streets of his suburb crime free and made sure that the gangs lost their foothold
in Cape Flats. Hagler currently lives in New Zealand where he works as an academic publishing representative.
Reaching Discontent speaks with the voice of a moderate Muslim, a man who could be termed devout, but is a normal
human being striving to come to terms with his identity as a nonwhite Muslim in an increasingly hostile world.
Find the book on Amazon by clicking HERE.
www.hagler.co.uk
Reaching Discontent is the story of an ex-boxer turned English teacher named Iron who lives in post apartheid Cape Town, South Africa. I would like to mention that the location of this book was a real plus to me and it seemed like a whole other in itself in the book. Having never been to South Africa (or even remotely close) the descriptions of the people and the city were real pleasant.
Moving on, as stated previously the title character is named Iron and he's a former boxer (the reason why he stopped is something I won't spoil for you but fits well into the story) turned school teacher. Students at the school he teaches at get involved in drugs and that's when things start to take a turn for the worst for Iron.
At times I found the book a bit lengthy but, at the end, I think it ended up being just right. Once the story really gets going it takes off and the course of the book takes place in the span of one weeks time (which, when I got to the end I was like "Damn, really?!?!") and shows just how fast a life can get thrown off track, especially when someone is trying to do the right thing.
My only "issue" with the book was that I didn't find it a page turner by any means, especially at the beginning. There were times when I put it down and took a few days off in between readings but you may not have that issue.
So, what is my rating. I give this a solid 4 out of 5 stars. You get a very engaging story and the characters are not one dimensional - each of them have their own demons and the actions they take have consequences, sometimes dire, to those they love.
Recommended reading!
About the author:
Hagler grew up in a small rural town in the heartland of Afrikaner dominated South Africa before moving to Cape Town to attend university and attain a degree in English and History. He lived in Cape Town for more than eighteen years, from the age of eighteen, and during that time travelled the vast rail network, witnessing and enduring some of the types of crimes perpetrated in the novel. As the chairman of the local Neighbourhood Watch he helped keep the streets of his suburb crime free and made sure that the gangs lost their foothold
in Cape Flats. Hagler currently lives in New Zealand where he works as an academic publishing representative.
Reaching Discontent speaks with the voice of a moderate Muslim, a man who could be termed devout, but is a normal
human being striving to come to terms with his identity as a nonwhite Muslim in an increasingly hostile world.
Find the book on Amazon by clicking HERE.
www.hagler.co.uk
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