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A review by path_through_pages
Second Set Chances by Rachael Wesley
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
Memoirs are an interesting and dynamic kind of literature which leads to complex experiences by the reader.
In reading a memoir you tend to find yourself needing to remind yourself that you are not reading about a fictional character, but a real human being (warts and all). What makes this more difficult, is when the author miraculously finds a way to make their memoir entertaining.
Second Set Chances reads like a well developed piece of literacy fiction. The writing style, flow, and overall composition feel seamless in a way that lets you get lost in the story of the author's life.
As Rachael maneuvers through the emotionally combative journey of her failing marriage, the misalignment of goals and ambitions, including the consistently polarizing story of choosing to be childfree with a partner who insists 'there will be a right time' and 'you will change your mind', you find a sense of kinship. Rachael stays true to her desire to never have children and eventually finds a partner aligned with this choice and the freedom it brings them (which is always so validating to see in any kind of literature for the childfree community!).
While some may find the references to Phish and the concerts niche, the author explains these experiences with a sense of whimsy and magic that highlights these concerts as a place of safety, community, belonging, and transformation.
Not being a huge Phish fan myself, I was worried these elements may be overbearing but they truly weren't. These scenes were used as a platform of connection for the author between various stages in their life. Although some elements may seem a bit alienating to non-Phish fans, we can all connect to this level of transformation within our own passions.
The hippy culture, the need to travel and self explore, and the deeply vulnerable and flawed self portrait portrayed in this book painted a very real picture of the mistakes we make and our opportunities for change.
The goal isn't to like everything that Rachael does in the book. The goal isn't to agree with everything she does. The goal isn't even to like Rachael! (although I do!) The goal is an expression of the complexity that is life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.
I will say there were a few times when the descriptions of the Phis concerts, or even the flash-backs and references to past experiences became a bit verbose, but I will chalk that up to the passion of the author.
I have read many indie books and this is one of the most well constructed in terms of actual writing ability.
Thank you for the story Rachael!
In reading a memoir you tend to find yourself needing to remind yourself that you are not reading about a fictional character, but a real human being (warts and all). What makes this more difficult, is when the author miraculously finds a way to make their memoir entertaining.
Second Set Chances reads like a well developed piece of literacy fiction. The writing style, flow, and overall composition feel seamless in a way that lets you get lost in the story of the author's life.
As Rachael maneuvers through the emotionally combative journey of her failing marriage, the misalignment of goals and ambitions, including the consistently polarizing story of choosing to be childfree with a partner who insists 'there will be a right time' and 'you will change your mind', you find a sense of kinship. Rachael stays true to her desire to never have children and eventually finds a partner aligned with this choice and the freedom it brings them (which is always so validating to see in any kind of literature for the childfree community!).
While some may find the references to Phish and the concerts niche, the author explains these experiences with a sense of whimsy and magic that highlights these concerts as a place of safety, community, belonging, and transformation.
Not being a huge Phish fan myself, I was worried these elements may be overbearing but they truly weren't. These scenes were used as a platform of connection for the author between various stages in their life. Although some elements may seem a bit alienating to non-Phish fans, we can all connect to this level of transformation within our own passions.
The hippy culture, the need to travel and self explore, and the deeply vulnerable and flawed self portrait portrayed in this book painted a very real picture of the mistakes we make and our opportunities for change.
The goal isn't to like everything that Rachael does in the book. The goal isn't to agree with everything she does. The goal isn't even to like Rachael! (although I do!) The goal is an expression of the complexity that is life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.
I will say there were a few times when the descriptions of the Phis concerts, or even the flash-backs and references to past experiences became a bit verbose, but I will chalk that up to the passion of the author.
I have read many indie books and this is one of the most well constructed in terms of actual writing ability.
Thank you for the story Rachael!