And So I Died: A Whimsical Tale Reminiscent of Childhood Stories
I have mixed feelings about this tale, it took me quite some time to decide what rating to give it.
"And So I Died," by John Williams, tells a story of young man who dies when he's not supposed to die, thrusting him into an unexpected and lonely world.
At moments, I felt like the story lacked depth. That the world didn't make complete sense. However, there was a sense of magic and mystery to the tale that kept me interested in the final outcome. And about halfway through, I realized something that made me view the story in a new light; it reminded me of one of my favorite book series as a kid: The Magic Treehouse! Through this tale, Williams is opening up a creative world in which I presume he'll tell additional stories, all written at a level most likely designed for a YA (or perhaps even Middle Grade) audience.
Reading the story through that lens, I found a different sort of enjoyment - I remembered the fantastical tales I read as a child.
I came close to giving "And So I Died" a four star review; however, two factors kept it from reaching that level. First, the writing lacked the polish necessary to keep me fully engrossed in the story. In addition, the hero of the story seems almost too perfect; I hope future tales set in this universe introduce a few flaws into the main character's story that will create serious obstacles for him to overcome.
But overall, the Two Doctors Review gives "And So I Died" a 7/10, yet a 7/10 that leans toward three stars, rather than four. I encourage people looking for a light, whimsical read to consider it, and I hope you enjoy this humorous tale.