I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Readers discover the various roles people have played throughout their lives and how those roles were shaped by their experiences in a series of twelve short stories that collectively form the novel “Sketches from a Young man’s Life: A Novel in Twelve Parts” by Bob McCauley.

The Synopsis

This book is much more than twelve stories that are independent of one another, each having a different meaning from the others. Rather, it is a novel of one person chronicled through the many roles he plays in his life and those who shared those experiences with him. We are accustomed to reading a novel that has a beginning, middle and end, and this one is no different. The same novel format has been used for so many centuries that when a writer presents something different, we are incredulous and conclude that the author has drawn outside the lines; therefore, the work makes no sense. Drawing outside the lines is a time-honored method of remaking something old and presenting a fresh approach to an enduring art form. Dynamic art that lives with a strong pulse and pumping lungs has the potential to transform lives in positive ways. Experiencing true art makes one ponder life and consider souls, including your own. There is no greater accomplishment for an artist than to change a mind or make a heart flutter to read or hear or see the art they have created. More than anything, I hope you enjoy this novel.

The Review

This was a profound and moving read. The author does an incredible job of weaving each story together through the fabric of fate, so to speak. The memories and experiences of each character in each story speak to the impact our interactions with the world around us have on our lives, and how self-realization is an important factor in how we grow as people. 

For it is through self-realization that so many people battled the themes found in these stories. From the trials of growing up and the difference between reality and fiction to the struggles that come from other people imposing their will and beliefs onto others, forcing a person to question their choices and emotions in connection with their heritage and background. The emotional weight of these stories and the philosophical introspective way the author wrote them out made this book shine and kept me coming back for more.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, powerfully written, and compelling, author Bob McCauley’s “Sketches from a Young Man’s Life” is a must-read literary fiction and anthology read that skews the borders of the literary world and tells an original tale that goes beyond what we know of books as a whole. The profound experiences that each story touches upon and the connectivity the reader has to the author and his work will speak volumes of the draw of this wonderful collection. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

I was born in Lansing, Michigan, September 20, 1957. I have worked dozens of jobs, from factory laborer, olive harvester, fiber optic layer, land surveyor to legal secretary at a major New York law firm. I lived on two kibbutzim in Israel, traveled through most states of India, most of the countries in Europe, and much of Asia. I was raised in Michigan and have lived in Israel, India, Paris, New York and Taiwan. And I have also traveled extensively throughout my homeland of America more than once. I have run my own business, The Watershed Wellness Center, for 29 years. I’m a 3rd degree black belt Tae Kwon Do and certified instructor. I have hosted both radio and TV shows on health. I am 64 and still can run a six-minute mile (2022). I follow my 7 Component Health Protocol laid out in my health books, which is how I stay healthy. I am a Latin Mass Catholic. Starting a business and keeping it going for 30 years is an accomplishment. But of all my endeavors, nothing has been harder than writing this novel because nothing is more difficult than writing fiction that actually moves the almighty reader. In the meantime, I intend to stay healthy and continue writing about natural health. I will also write more fiction because fiction is often the most believable thing I write about.