Full Circle
by Joyce L. Rapier
Published by EZP Publishing
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Ernest Dempsey
In this rather short work of fiction, the psychological disasters of the Vietnam War and its social aftermath for American families have been portrayed with full emotional impact. The story relates the situation of Todd Jenkins, a middle-aged man who is searching for his past in the hope of being able to heal the wounds of familial deprivation and lost joys of a loved childhood. Searching for the teddy bear that, he thinks, carries the letters of his father, an American conscript in the Vietnam War, Todd reunites with his childhood love Melissa, who is suffering from the same war through her Vietnam Veteran husband Ralph Garner.
The theme of Full Circle has been explored before by many a caring heart and probing penholder. Joyce Rapier has made the story an innocent modern-day adventure that carries love, care, suffering, humor, and courage.
However, the book suffers from some shortcomings. The title and blurb on the back cover title point to a plot that is nucleated around Todd and Patch Dimple, the protagonist's teddy bear. Most of the story inside the book vacillates between Todd, Melissa, Ralph, and later Tommy J. Moon. At a few places, narration abruptly changes to third-person for a short while. The characters also feel like they are being forced towards a romantic tension that perhaps lacks spontaneity.
Nevertheless, Full Circle is not a fulsome work, however it radiates the liveliness of wholesome characters.
NOTE: The author has written several other books: Whisper My Name: House on Talbert Street, Windy John's Rainbow and the Pot O' Gold and Windy John's Me 'N Tut.
Armchair Interviews says: About people dealing with the aftermath of Vietnam war.