Book Review: The Heart Does Not Grow Back by Fred Venturini

About:
The Heart Does Not Grow Back by Fred Venturini is a novel about a modern day man with a modern day superpower. This is Mr. Venturini’s first novel, however he did publish short fiction previously.

The pub­lisher is giv­ing away one copy of this book  –to enter fill out the Raf­fle­copt­ter form at the end of the post.

• 320 pages
• Publisher: Picador
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1250052211

 

My Rating for The Heart Does Not Grow Back – 5
Buy this book in paper or elec­tor­nic format*

Thoughts:
The Heart Does Not Grow Back by Fred Venturini is a unique story which could be described as a superhero story, a comedy, drama or even a horror book. As any good story goes, this one also defies description and comfortably fits in any of the categories I mentioned previously.

I loved the dark humor in this book, granted it’s not for everyone but I enjoyed it and you will too if this is our style. Mr. Venturini does a great job writing the characters, especially the protagonist, Dale, whose morbid reflections shine some light on those around him and the plot of the book.

The plot moves in different directions and encompasses many themes: loss, forgiveness as well as learning to like yourself for who you are regardless of what others think. The book also pokes fun at our voyeuristic culture and society which is hungry to put heroes on a pedestal only to brutally tear them down and move on to the next idiot.

This novel was fun and a fast read, plus it gave me much to think about. This is a smart book, but it is not for everyone, and I’m glad the author didn’t water it down or try to write for the lowest common denominator, instead writing an excellent story.

Synopsis:
Dale Simpson grew up an unassuming boy in an unassuming Midwestern town, hanging onto the coattail of his best friend and high-school baseball star, Mack. Before graduation a horrible event happens which lives both boys scared physically and emotionally.

When he recovers, Dale discovers that he is different than other people and is able to grow limbs and organs anew.

Buy this book in paper or elec­tor­nic format*

Give­away

• Give­away ends: Decem­ber 30, 2014

• US/Canada Ship­ping Addresses Only

• No PO Boxes

• Win­ners will have 24 hours to write back with their address, oth­er­wise an alter­nate win­ner will be picked

Congratulations: name as email

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I got this book for free.
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account