Reprise Review: A Whisper to a Scream / Karen Wojcik Berner

Reviewed by: BigAl

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Approximate word count: 70-75,000 words

Availability
Kindle US: YES UK: YES Nook: YES Smashwords: YES Paper: YES
Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

An award winning magazine writer and editor, A Whisper to a Scream is Karen Wojcik Berner’s first novel. This is the initial book of a planned series, with each focusing on one or two members of the book club formed in this book. Berner also has a blog called Bibliophilic Blather, which features flash fiction (either her own or a guest’s) each Friday. Another frequent feature is Editing for Grammarphobes, short grammar, language, and editing tips that are beneficial for everyone, whether they think they are a writer or not. For more, visit the author’s website.

Description:

Annie Jacobs has looked forward to motherhood since cuddling her Baby Tenderlove as a five year old. Now a successful thirty-seven year-old PR executive, her life is one of tests and scheduled attempts at making a baby while her rapidly ticking biological clock winds down.

Across town is Sarah Anderson, a mother of two. Her days consist of cleaning the house, cooking, and child-rearing duties while her husband works late. Can’t she ever get any time for herself?

Appraisal:

For some reason my brain wants to start this review with a cliché. Maybe something about greener grass, walking in shoes that aren’t yours, or even proper caution when making wishes. All might apply to the two protagonists in A Whisper to a Scream. Each wishes for a life more like what the other has.

Despite their differences, Annie and Sarah were both characters I liked, which I think is important in a story like this. I wanted both to find a way to get their wish. I think that’s normal, to hope a friend, even a fictional friend, will realize a dream or meet a goal. One of the best ways to illustrate something is to use contrast or comparison – that opinion accounts for my tendency to overuse such words as but, however, and yet. As the story switches between the two characters, Berner shows us the contrast between Annie’s life and Sarah’s. Both are busy, yet fulfilling, although in different ways. Each wants something closer to what the other has, but has obstacles that are not entirely within their ability to overcome. Will they get what they want? I’m not telling.

After finishing A Whisper to a Scream, different readers will probably come away with different messages. It might be one of appreciating the positives of your personal situation. It could be one of balance in life. Or you may come up with something on your own. Whatever your takeaway, I think you’ll find immersing yourself in the lives of Annie and Sarah is an experience worth having.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: ***** Five stars