From The Stacks - Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn

It’s 10:43pm and I just finished Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn. I told myself I would immediately go to bed so as to not completely throw myself off of my working schedule. However, I simply had to write about this book while it is fresh on my mind.




Synopsis

Basically our story begins early in time with the first known human life forms, the cavemen. A young girl and boy wrestle over a precious green stone and tumble into a century long adventure. These two (and a couple of other supporting characters) are reincarnated throughout time. They visit ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, are around Christ, Buddha, and other great historical figures. They are involved in the Civil War, Salem witch trials, and World War II. To name a few.

The story involves our young couple ending up reincarnated in the same time, over time and constantly trying to subconsciously identify their soul mate in that time. They are foiled by the supporting characters and circumstances of their birth. Similar plot lines are repeated over and over again with one or the other living their life in sorrow because their soul mate is no longer with them. They also must “be good” and “make up for past sins” in their current life.


Why I Like It

This book was honestly a little flatter than I was anticipating. I was expecting to be caught up in this epic love story than spanned centuries. And this was that story, kind of. The problem with the structure of the story is that the emotional intensity, sexual tension, and high stakes were never really established because the characters spent so little time in each other’s company. By the time they recognized the soul mate in each other it was to late to have an actual relationship. Something always happened to one or the other before their love was fully actualized. (And besides, if everything worked out early we’d miss half of the book.)

What I did like about this book were the lessons taught, the history shared, and the thinking it provoked. Scholastic published this book for young adults. As such it is carried in the book fairs. *(See story below) The description and cover art I think lend it to be frequently selected by this age group. My sincere hope (and I think that of the author’s) is that this book will teach our young ones not only about history and other religions but how to think and how to be understanding. There are several key issues addressed (somewhat indirectly) in the book including slavery, fearing those different from ourselves, and making the world a better place. I think this book has the potential to be eye opening for many a young reader.

Overall it was a well-written book. I wish readers didn’t have to spend so much time at the beginning of the book trying to figure out which character you’re dealing with now. It would be nice to have a little more consistency in the names; like if the primary female character’s names all began with the letter T. However I understand due to the nature of the story (spanning centuries and cultures) that is extremely difficult. And again I wish when we got the final reincarnation there was a little more intensity in the romantic relationship. Again the structure of the story doesn’t lend itself to that. I also believe the telling an epic love story was not the primary goal of the author. I think she wanted to share the concepts of reincarnation, karma, and intense thought with young readers and this story line was her way to do it.

Bonus Round

Not much of a bonus here. This story could have the potential to make a good mini-series or movie.

Cyclical structure of the story, consistent themes, and full circle ending was sweet.

Bonus: early part of the story highly resembled Aida, which got the soundtrack stuck in my head. Now there’s some intense sexual tension/love.

Bottom Line
Good read. Made me think. Worth reading once. Wouldn’t buy it.

*This book was a part of an awesome bulk Amazon order that totaled under $26!!! I was really excited when this book arrived and asked my littlest sister to read the flap. She informed me (in her best teenage girl voice) that she didn’t need to. She’s already read it and has the book. “What?!?!” I exclaimed. I demanded to know when this happened and why she didn’t tell me. I was told that she got it at a book fair. No comment on not being told. Really wish I’d known she had this book because I would not have bought it (especially because mine is hard back) and could have bought another book instead! Oh well, Ce la vie.

PS: This only took me 20 minutes to write. Sweet! Nighty Night!