The Time Capsule Songs of the Seventies - an Editorial Review of "The Walkover"

Book Blurb:

When you hear a familiar song play on the radio, immediately, it takes you back—back to your childhood, your first love, cruising with friends in the car, whatever the memory may be. Songs are like time capsules, capturing the moment, feeling, and essence of a moment in our lives. It’s time to take a trip back to the seventies, to a time of muscle cars, hippies, and the Vietnam War.

The Walkover is a captivating narrative story that tells the experiences of a family through the eyes of different members over several years. Comprised of both flashbacks and present-day narrative, the novel showcases the importance of knowing your history—being proud of where you came from and where you’re going and understanding how you fit in this moment and place on earth.

Inspired to write the story after watching the films Billy Jack and The Trial of Billy Jack, the female characters in the book are shaped after the mentally strong women the author is friends with, as well as the family members he grew up with, using them as inspiration to create the tough-minded, beautiful Cherokee women of the Smithee family. With music as the guiding thread throughout the pages, the book provides a playlist for the journey. Each chapter features a song that embodies the overall theme of the book. Within the pages of the book are familiar songs from the seventies and other decades, as well as ones you may not have heard, widening your knowledge of the music of the time. So, grab some headphones, get comfortable, and dive on in—you won’t want to put this book down.

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/qvK2HlI

Author Bio:

Steven L.Werder has an English Degree from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. He is a storyteller through the written word. He has a love for music and is always listening for a good song that makes you want to tap your,"feets" and ,"turn it up."

Editorial Review:

A few years back, somewhere around June 2015, I received a letter. It was obvious to me that the letter was written by a man, mainly because it was written in print and not cursive. That’s not to say that I think all men write in print, but I do think most women write in cursive.

The letter, which was more like a request, asked to purchase a one of a kind custom built SS Chevelle. The letter contained details specifying the car’s colors should be dark blue with two black stripes down the hood. The sound system was to be Bose and the car was to be given as a gift. But, there were no details on who the request was from, and there wasn’t a return address.

The last sentence read, “I’ll send you the details in a few weeks.”

This is a very interesting way to start a novel, pulling you in from the first paragraphs, leaving you wondering who this letter was from, and why. It also brings up some questions about the narrator. We are told this is present day, 2015, so this indicates we’ll go back in time in some of the chapters – which is exactly what happens.

Werder's introduction ushers readers into the world of the 1970s with a feeling of longing and anticipation, setting the stage for a trip through time. The environment and family dynamics are skillfully introduced in the opening paragraphs, forging an instant connection that entices readers to read on. This engaging beginning demonstrates Werder's skill as a storyteller and his capacity to capture an audience's attention right away. Now let’s look at the story.

The Walkover by Steven L. Werder transports the audience to the heart of the turbulent 1970s while presenting a family's perspective on it. With a backdrop of muscle cars, hippies, and the Vietnam War, this book interweaves historical and modern narratives to examine the importance of history, identity, and resiliency. Drawing on iconic films like "Billy Jack" and "The Trial of Billy Jack," Werder crafts a story that is replete with powerful female characters. The tunes of songs from the era are woven throughout each chapter, giving readers a glimpse into the past.

It seemed like to all of us from that point on, music became our good medicine. Plus, what seemed to be accompanying the music were girls. It was our point of view, from then on, everywhere we went, day or night, we searched for music, and when we found the music, we would find the girls too. But to us, it didn’t matter what kind of music it was, it just had to sound good.

Our hanging out at Junior’s kitchen table quickly began to add up to more hours than my friends and I could count. Which by the way, all the time we spent hanging out was considered by most grown-ups as a terrible waste of time. Plus, everyone knows spending your time idling is when the devil likes to start trouble. It may sound odd to some folks, but we considered the kitchen to be our home. We felt safe in the kitchen, and therefore, hanging out in the kitchen was, to us, the exact opposite as a terrible waste of time.

With a distinctive narrative style that alternates between memories and current events, The Walkover creates a vivid portrait of the Smithee family. The narrative explores the lives of several family members, with each viewpoint giving the main plot more nuance and complexity. Werder's skill at combining personal narratives with historical background results in an engrossing whole that holds readers' attention from beginning to end. The family's experiences are richly framed by the cultural, social, and political subtleties of the 1970s, which adds to the story's appeal and emotional resonance.

The strong character development in The Walkover is one of its best qualities. Each member of the Smithee family has a unique voice and personality and is beautifully rendered. The female characters are especially interesting; they are modeled after the intellectually accomplished ladies in Werder's life. The story is made more complex by the strong, resilient, and attractive Cherokee women who are part of the Smithee family. Since the characters' development is authentically depicted, they become memorable and relatable.

The dialogue is well done and gives us more insights into the characters, how they relate to one another, and helps us remember the time in history that the story is written. Throughout The Walkover Werder deftly upholds continuity, making sure that the stories in the present and flashbacks flow together seamlessly.

The precise weaving together of the interwoven stories of the Smithee family members results in a seamless and engrossing reading experience. An extra element of continuity is added by using music as a unifying theme, which connects the chapters and improves the narrative's overall flow.

The conclusion of The Walkover is both satisfying and thought-provoking. Werder skillfully wraps up the narrative to give readers a sense of completion while provoking more thought on the subjects covered in the book. Carefully considered character journey closure makes for a profoundly moving conclusion for readers. The ending perfectly sums up the family's experiences and the time period they were a part of, whether it be joyous or melancholy.

There are some minor typos or grammatical errors in the book, but nothing that takes away from the comprehension. The book is organized effectively, with each chapter effortlessly transitioning into the next. The story's core is conveyed in an appealing and approachable manner, despite the possibility of a more nuanced presentation with a tighter editorial touch.

"The Walkover" is notable for its distinct narrative framework and profound thematic content. We get a unique reading experience due to the interaction of the narratives from past and present with the music.

Werder's ability to depict a particular time and place while delving into universal issues of identity, history, and survival is another strong point. Strong female characters and the book's inspiration from movies like "Billy Jack" add to the book's originality and make it a compelling read.

Werder's skill as a writer shines through on each page of "The Walkover." His writing style is expressive and descriptive, perfectly portraying the subtleties of family interactions and the spirit of the 1970s. The conversation is genuine and organic, accurately capturing each character's voice.

Werder's storytelling technique strikes a balance between action and introspection, enabling readers to completely connect with the narrative on several levels. His skill as a writer is demonstrated by his ability to eloquently and sympathetically portray complicated feelings and circumstances.

Overall, "The Walkover" is skillfully written, carefully and precisely taking readers through the experiences of the Smithee family. The plot develops organically, with each incident building on the one before it to provide a seamless and engrossing story. The clever management of the alternating flashbacks and present-day storylines keeps the plot arc interesting and significant. Werder's meticulous attention to detail and deliberate pacing make for an engaging and satisfying reading experience.

In summary, Steven L. Werder's "The Walkover" is a masterfully written book that provides a deep and engrossing reading experience. Its passionate prose, well-developed characters, and engaging plot perfectly reflect the spirit of the 1970s and the timeless value of family and history.

*****

“The Walkover” by Steven L Werder receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company

Award:

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