Bookworm Speaks!-Musical Chairs by Sheila Levin

Bookworm Speaks!

Musical Chairs 

by Sheila Levin

****

A free copy of this book was sent through Word Slinger Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

The Story: Politics - Sex - Scandal - Secrets - Money

In a high-stakes game of musical chairs, there can be only one winner. Roberta Palmer, newly widowed supermodel and Marcia Baker, New York congresswoman are getting ready for the fight of their lives: both are running against each other in the primary for the democratic candidate of the NY senate race. Marcia's ex-lover, Jake Rubin and Roberta's step-daughter, Joan Palmer both hold secrets that could mean political suicide for both women. As the secrets threaten to surface which woman will be left standing when the music draws to a close?

The Good: Bookworm did not really care for this book, nonetheless there are some positives to be had here. 

This is a very empathic book. This is the kind of book that would be exceedingly difficult to put into film format as it almost entirely takes place inside of the heads of the characters. The emotions that the go through, the sadness, the loneliness, and the aimlessness feel very tangible when the author puts them into words and the author puts in enough detail of the character’s surroundings and actions in order to breath life and perspective into these emotions. 

Near the final third of the book is where the story starts to come together. It appears to focus on Roberta as she comes to terms with the loss of most of her family and the next chapter of her life. This is where the author’s writing comes into its own and the reader really feels what she is feeling. It gives insight into the turbulent period that is middle age, when it seems like everything is done but you still have a long way to go. 

The Flaws: There was not a lot to like about this book. Lets just get through this. 

This book claims to be about politics but very little of this book seems to be even about politics. There is some plot fodder in the first chapter or two about a murder suspicion but that is only mentioned in the first few chapters before being completely ignored up until the last few chapters. 

The key to writing good protagonists is the make sure the character, hero or villain is sympathetic to the reader. In that, the reader wants to root for that character when he/she/it faces an obstacle. It was nearly impossible to root for any of these characters. There was no sympathy to be had here for all of the characters were lonely and sad and remained so through nearly every single chapter. That is not exactly what Bookworm wants when he spends an afternoon reading. 

These are stories about miserable, middle aged people living miserable lives and projecting that misery upon the readers! Misery loves company after all! From the pages of this book spill misery! 

Even the story itself is lacking. It is extremely slow paced. The emotions ultimately help buoy the story along but it is very dull. Most of the characters just sit around stewing in their melancholy, doing menial tasks and very, very, very slowly coming to terms with their present situation. 

Some many argue that this is a more natural look at how real people come to terms with recent changes and depression, for Bookworm though, reading is about escaping from real life. This book does not provide that. In fact…it made Bookworm feel depressed. 

It does improve near the end, but it is such a slog to get to that point that it was hard to commit to the reading of this book. It would seem that a lot of readers would pick it up and then just put it down again and move on to something else. 

Final Verdict: Despite becoming a bit more of a page turner as it nears its end, the fact is this books dawdling and woebegone first half made it very hard to get through. 

Two out of Five Stars 

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