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The Wagon Driver
![The Wagon Driver by [Berardelli, David]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51DIxh9nJ0L.jpg)
A futuristic, dystopian story which combines elements of mystery, tension, and eccentricity. The Wagon Driver is one of David Berardelli’s many stories inspired by the works of Ray Bradbury, Theodore Sturgeon, Ian Fleming, and Rod Serling.
The story is set in the not-so-distant future where eighteen-year-old Kyle Sonnet lands his first job as an employee of the Department of Population Control. Population control is the pivotal theme throughout The Wagon Driver, and leaves the reader to believe that Earth’s population is more than it can bare. To resolve this issue, wagon drivers are required to follow ambulances and collect bodies and dispose of them. Unsettling, don’t you think?
Kyle Sonnet is the main protagonist of the story, and instantly you feel a sense of empathy towards him. The early chapters of the book point out themes of isolation and loneliness; illustrated by Kyle’s childhood background of growing up in an orphanage. Now, he has left his younger years and is trying to find his feet. However, when he lands this job and is stated that he “cannot quit”, as a reader, you soon realize that Kyle’s luck has not improved.
What I loved about this book is how the story follows the life of a young adolescent who is simply trying to find his way in the world. Instead of finding a job to gain some independence, Kyle soon realizes that he is in over his head. As the story unfolds, we soon realize that the issue of population control alongside the collapse in the healthcare system, means that euthanasia has taken over. Kyle finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy when he witnesses something of utter horror; Kyle needs to make a crucial decision. Does he continue with his job and accept what has happened, or does he face a challenging escape and risk his life in attempt for resolution?
The story moves at a steady pace, and I was pleasantly surprised by the twist in the narrative. What makes for good reading is uncertainty and uniqueness, and I believe the author of The Wagon Driver does this remarkably. The grammar and punctuation is strong, and the narrative is creative and unique.
The Wagon Driver, a book full of entrapment, isolation, and shock is a great read. An emotive, intriguing and dramatic novel set in a dystopian American society. The story goes against the American dream, and instead shows real concern and fear, in the hope that things can change. At the expense of everyone, the world and how it is portrayed is now simply in the hands of a naïve, inexperienced eighteen-year-old boy.
Pages: 402 | ASIN: B0725V6ZKH
The Dreams of the Black Butterfly
Mark Barrett’s Dreams of the Black Butterfly is a compelling combination of short stories brought together under one larger plot. The book begins with a descriptive introduction into Peru during its colonization. Barrett successfully portrays the environment, feelings of the characters, and mysterious surroundings of the black butterfly. Although the opening is only a short story of sorts that opens to present day Peru. Here we find Moise Quispe, a young Peruvian teen. He is in search of the mysterious black butterfly. This butterfly has a large price on its head, and Moise is determined to catch it. It becomes apparent as the story develops, that Moise works for a shady company called “Emerald Earth.” The leader of Emerald Earth, Dollie, will stop at nothing to discover the secrets of this butterfly. It is said that the wings, when read under a microscope, reveal fascinating stories based on the reader. However, not everyone has the ability to read the wings of the butterfly; thus why Moise becomes so important in the story.
Barrett’s ability to describe the environment is flawless although sometimes overzealous. These descriptions come to consume the beginning of the stories and each story is vastly different from the previous. Stories range from fantasies about clay people to ones more relevant; such as how Dollie conducts business. Each story is truly as work of art in its own right. When put together they are often confusing if one is not paying very close attention to the beginnings and endings. It took me a few stories to understand how the writer transitioned from one scene to the next. The overall quality of the book is quite fascinating. It is obvious that the writer has done research into the Peruvian culture. The book incorporates a number of different myths and customs held by the native Peruvian culture which gives this book great depth. Many themes are used throughout the book. At first, I noticed that the author continually incorporates the mistreatment of children in the overall plot and short stories. For example, Emerald Earth hires their children employees from orphanages. When many disappear one man in charge of a particular orphanages begins to grow suspicious but decides the money is worth it. Overall, The Black Butterfly is an engaging narrative that leads the reader on a crazy adventure. It is well written and brings the authors world to life.
Pages: 201 | ASIN: B01BKE9MBM
LITERARY TITAN 