Reunification of Joseph K

The Reunification of Joseph K –by Richard Badalamente

fiction

1412 KB / 197 pages

4 Stars

Disclaimer: Richard and I are friends.

OK, now that the legalities are out of the way.... I read the earlier version of this story, and didn't care so much for it. I made a few suggestions, some of which he actually used, and I must say, I enjoyed the "new and improved" version much better.

This short novel is an homage to Kafka, I think, and Kafka is darker than I normally care for, hence the 4 star rating. This is a dark story. The hero is not, to my way of thinking, particularly likable, but he finds himself in a most interesting situation, and I end up actually liking him. At least a little ;-)

The story moves along well, with no major stumbles. And though Joseph is not my favorite hero (or anti-hero) he is believable. And the situation in which he finds himself while sent to North Korea on a fact-finding mission is frighteningly believable. Especially for someone who is going to do it his way, not the way of the North Koreans, and flaunt his arrogant individuality in the faces of his hosts. 

If you like Kafka, I think you will enjoy this story. If you like dark fiction, I'm sure you will enjoy this story. And if you just want a good read, something different from your usual, check out The Reunification of Joseph K by my friend. Surprise yourself!

The Lion and The Sun

The Lion and the Sun: A Novel  --by Richard Badalamente

Fiction

406 pages

Footnotes/Endnotes: No

Suitable for eReaders: Yes

4 Stars

This was a step out of my usual fiction read, and I'm very happy I took the step. Spy stories don't usually keep me reading for a variety of reasons (suffice it to say, I'd never have been a successful spy), but this book grabbed me and I began to resent when forced to put it down to take care of necessary business!

The hero, Daniel Conte, is wonder of wonders, human! He hurts, he feels, he has emotion (but not overly so). He is tracking down some stolen plutonium that the Russians don't want to admit is gone. He comes face to face with assassins, his Russian counterpart who becomes, well, a friend. There are flashbacks to the time when the Shah was overthrown and the American Embassy stormed, and those flashbacks are very, very important. And interesting, especially to those of us who remember that time.

Most of the story takes place in Europe and the Middle East, and the author's work as a senior analyst in national security with a focus on nuclear nonproliferation, counterintelligence, and counter terrorism certainly adds that oft-missing realism to this story. Plus it's obvious the author has visited the places (or at least some) he describes..

A fun read, a page burner, and a job well done, Mr. Badalamente! I can hardly wait to read the next book.

(Have you ever noticed they are read faster than the authors can write them?)