Gordon Chaplin

This book started out just fine. The opening was good. It left me wanting to know all of the events leading up to the present moment. I was actually into this story for quite a while, even though my feelings about the story as a whole was middle of the road. I appreciated that the author let me get familiar with Wendy before he transferred over to Peter. Which the events that Peter had to deal with leading up to his reunion with his sister were real and a moment in history not to be forgotten. Yet, try as I must I really could not get into Wendy and Peter's lives or the story as a whole that much. Other then a faint whisper of the locations, the storyline a little and what was taking place at that moment. Although, from what I can remember of this story there is some depth to it and the ending was good.… (mais)

As soon as you learn that the brother and sister whose relationship is the central focus of Gordon Chaplin’s newest novel Paraiso were named Peter and Wendy, you already know that their parents were not suited for parenthood. Cute names and theme names display a narcissistic impulse that becomes a life-long burden for their children. In this case, did the parents want them to never grow up.

Peter was favored by his mother while she seemed to hate Wendy and Wendy hated her or told herself she did. We all know children need their parents’ love, so her hated had to be mixed with longing. No matter, Peter and Wendy loved each other and supported each other. When Peter ran away from school, he and Wendy decided to run away to Mexico. That they did not make it was a lifelong regret, especially after they became estranged some twenty years ago.

But now Wendy has finally made it all the way to Mexico. Her car breaks down and while waiting for the parts and repairs she joins the life of the village. She attracts the attention of psychopathic village petty tyrant. Meanwhile Peter is in New York on September 11th. The trauma, for both of them, reminds them of their love of each other, but can they find their way to forgiveness?

But there is so much more to Paraiso. There’s Kate, the youthful publishing intern and Claire, Wendy’s best friend. The village of Paraiso has the wonderful Felipe, Isabel, and Clamato. Then there are the murders. No, this is no murder mystery, but things happen.

Please read the rest at

https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2016/05/31/paraiso-by-gordon-chaplin...… (mais)