Genre: Literary
Fiction
Description:
George Hammon flees small-town Iowa with his teenage bride in 1914,
setting in motion repercussions still felt almost seventy years later.
Author:
Dave Hoing lives in Waterloo, Iowa, where he works for the library at
the University of Northern Iowa. He has published dozens of short stories in
various publications.
Roger Hileman works as a “test development associate” for ACT, Inc.
This was the first novel for both authors. They have since published a
fantasy novel, Voices of Arra.
Appraisal:
Do a search in the Kindle store for books with the title “sins of the
father.” The idea that a bad decision can snowball through multiple generations
is at least as old as the bible and is the basis of many stories. It is such a
popular premise because it works well in illustrating consequences. Hammon Falls is epic in scope,
stretching seventy years and two continents.
Hoing and Hileman spin a good yarn. I’m sure someone could point out
imperfections somewhere, but they’re going to have to get nitpicky to find
them. The characters are real, with imperfections, some minor and others
serious. The small town atmosphere and the changes over time in both the
characters and the world around them all ring true. Hammon Falls is a classic tale, done well.
FYI:
Very limited adult language and mild adult situations.
Added for
Reprise Review: Hammon
Falls by Dave Hoing & Roger Hileman was a nominee in the Literary
Fiction category for B&P 2013 Readers' Choice Awards. Original review ran March
20, 2012
Format/Typo
Issues:
No significant typo or proofing issues. The Kindle version I received
for review had a few formatting issues, with headings pertinent only to a print
version embedded in the text, and some instances of the space missing between
two words.
Rating:
***** Five Stars
Reviewed
by: BigAl
Approximate
word count: 120-125,000 words
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