I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
One author takes a poetic journey through a prose filled literary fiction studying the road to life’s adventures in author Ritch Gaiti’s “The Strawberry Road: The Collective Journaling of an Ancient Wanderer”.
The Synopsis
I reached skyward to touch the universe . . . it wasn’t far at all.
The Strawberry Road is a unique, provocative and meditative journey — to appreciate beauty and structure of life from the perspective of innocence. It is a spiritual adventure through discovery of the world as we know it but as we rarely see it — an escape into the primal reality of life, time and nature. The Strawberry Road is a rare exploration and insight on a visual journey that we all should take, told through beautiful tranquility of prose and verse — delivering as much in words as it does in concept.
It was a Sunday morning, the moment of my birth that I stepped onto the Strawberry Road . . . From the very onset, the Strawberry Road appeared vast and never ending, suggesting an adventure that would last forever if I so chose. I had anticipated the undertaking for some time but hadn’t felt the need to plan the course or the destination, as those would be decisions that I would make along the way. The thought of discovery was exhilarating, but frightening — yet full of hope and opportunity.
The Strawberry Road, an unplanned journey of discovery of life and time through the naked eye of innocence and reflection.
The past was curiously a testament to order and symmetry while the future remained forever in undefined chaos. Yet, in the calm between the two worlds lay the present — just a marker on a never-ending line. The past has always just ended, while the future was forever a moment away. Yet I experienced neither but cherished what was solely within my grasp, a sliver of now.
And now was always now,
Separating what was,
From what was about to happen
And it will be, until it does.
The Strawberry Road, a depiction of the beauty of change and the time in between:
In a moment of pure stability
Tween what was and what will be
Frozen crystals veiled the land
Neath a blanket of serenity
And each branch of each tree
Was framed in purity
As perplexity turned to harmony,
And obscurity to clarity
A blanket of virtue
A blanket of white
In a moment of pure stasis
Tween what was and what will be
Looking back, it seemed so obvious. The Strawberry Road, once mysterious, puzzling, stressful, joyful and confusing, was now so clear. But such was the nature of the road — it provided the opportunities and the obstacles. The knowledge and the decisions were all mine.
* * *
The Review
“I reached my hand skyward to touch the universe…”
This line speaks volumes of the artistic nature the author takes with his poetic narrative. A mixture of lyrical prose and poetry, the author delves into the metaphysical aspect of life and the journey we all must undertake at one point or another in our lives.
The author paints a vivid image in the reader’s minds as they travel along the “Strawberry Road”. This hammers home as true given the author’s natural gifts and experience with art in general. The combination of this imagery with the poetic nature of the narrative and the thought-provoking nature of the story overall make this an emotional read to be sure.
The Verdict
A must-read literary masterpiece, author Ritchie Gaiti has created a wonderful tapestry of images and emotions throughout this work of art. A beautiful display of literary fiction and prose that captures the heart of the open road journey both physically and metaphysically, “The Strawberry Road” is a book that is not to be missed, so be sure to grab your copies today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Ritch focuses on telling compelling stories depicting the real world through unique perspectives. He writes in a variety of voices and genres from humor to drama, both non-fiction and fiction. He is an author, artist, and an alumnus of Wall Street and has written novels, screenplays and many magazine articles and has been featured on national radio and TV, including an appearance on the Today Show.
Ritch loves to channel his unique characters – whether they be a comical washed up copywriter, a gambler from Brooklyn, a Native American lawyer, and everyday guy who has an entertaining battle with cancer, or, in The Strawberry Road, an undefined protagonist who observes and absorbs the natural world that is often missed. Ritch doesn’t write about his characters — he is the character and shares his emotions, confusion, drive and obstructions.
Ritch is also a recognized artist focusing on depicting the ethereal west in another time, another place. He exhibits across the U.S. in several galleries and museums. His artwork can be viewed on http://www.gaiti.com. Books are available through major outlets as eBooks and paperback (through Amazon).
Ritch Gaiti’s published books:
-The Strawberry Road: a spiritual adventure through discovery of the world as we know it but as we rarely see it. “I reached skyward to touch the universe . . . it wasn’t far at all.”
-F*ck you Cancer … and the Cell you rode in on: Humorously toxic
-The Jewolic . . .Conundrums of a Half-Jew: a humorous romp through religious ambivalence.
-The Big Empty: A gritty lawyer uncovers an ancient conspiracy and the betrayal of a man and a nation in a socially significant mystery/thriller.
-Dutching the Book: A NYC fireman schemes a way to beat the track in an American classic of four lifelong friends, betrayal, gambling, romance and the best horseplayer to ever play the game.
-Tweet: humorous fiction about one average guy who changes the world because he didn’t know that he couldn’t. Recently, Tweet, has been optioned for a feature film.
-Points: Women have them, Men need them: a humorous non-fiction relationship book (under the pseudonym I. Glebe).
Ritch Gaiti Ritch.Gaiti@verizon.net
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