Page 4 - Hobe Sound Reflections - May '24

Page 4, Hobe Sound

Book Review

The Main Character Her newest main billionaire; Nate, the man Rory loves who has just broken
character, an American up with her; Caroline, her best friend since childhood,
By Nils A. Shapiro woman named Rory, who works for Max and has had a crush on him almost
Many years ago I read has just lost her job as her entire life; and Gabriele, a handsome Italian to whom
a couple of the all-time an anchor person on a Rory was once attracted.
bestselling murder mystery TV news show and, as a As if that weren’t enough, Ginevre Ex has arranged
novels by Agatha Christie double blow, her boyfriend to have distributed to all of them advance copies of the
and decided that this whom she was expecting to novelized mystery she has just written based on Rory’s
literary genre was simply marry, has just broken up life, a tale that includes a secret one of the group is
not my cup of tea. with her. Some time after hiding—and a murder in their future! But before any
While my own personal Rory’s in-depth interview can read the book, one of them has stolen all of the copies.
reading tastes lean toward relating her life story to The story of The Main Character is told through the
nonfiction, especially Ginevre Ex, she learns that eyes of these different people in alternating chapters—a
history and anything related the author has gifted her chapter from Rory, then one from Max, one from Caroline,
to nature and a better understanding of the wonderful with a luxury trip through back to Rory, then to Ginevre Ex, and so on. It is an
animals with whom we share this planet, I do make it a Italy aboard the sumptuous Orient Express train. adventure fascinating to view from each one’s perspective.
point to review several novels a year in consideration of But when she boards the train, Rory is shocked to find But you are advised to keep in mind my—despised but
this column’s readers’ more varied preferences. that Ginevre Ex has also arranged for the most important necessary—caution that nothing on this ride is as it seems.
So, when a year ago I was urged to read a new people in Rory’s life to join her on that trip: Max, her If you enjoy murder mystery novels, The Main
author’s first book, a murder mystery novel, I turned brother, whose pharmaceutical company is reportedly Character, published this month, is a must. Even I am
the first few pages reluctantly—but was then caught up about to introduce an Alzheimer’s treatment drug that anxiously awaiting the next stop on Jaclyn Goldis’s
in what surprisingly turned out to be an impressive and will help to cure his and Rory’s father and make himself a literary journey.
intriguing story that deserved a rave review and strong
recommendation in my book review column.
The name of that novel was The Chateau. Its author, Former Hibiscus Children’s Center Resident from page 1 vital work being done by Hibiscus as well as the impact on
Jaclyn Goldis, is a young American woman who practiced children. Through his perseverance, he overcame tremendous
law in Chicago before leaving her job to travel the world and staff were wonderful, they comforted me when I was sad and adversity and built a successful future and loving home for
write novels, and finally settle in Tel Aviv, where she writes hugged me which meant the world to a scared child.” his children. Hibiscus helps kids imagine what a better life
from cafes near the beach. She has now published her second To Miller’s surprise, Hibiscus staff celebrated his can be. Miller is the perfect example of this.”
novel, and it is clear that her first success will not be her last. birthday during his stay. He recalled feeling valued Please visit us at HibiscusChildrensCenter.org for more
Now, having just finished reading The Main Character, and important when he was allowed to choose pumpkin information about Hibiscus programs and how you can
I am reminded of what impressed me so much about pie because he didn’t like cake. “I was always worried get involved to help children.
Goldis, and why I had looked forward to her next book. about being just a number; I didn’t feel like I mattered to Hibiscus had a lovely reception at Sailfish Point
Rarely in any work of fiction have I come across a writer anyone. As a child I didn’t understand that the kindness Country Club and our guest speaker was a former child
who combines intricate and imaginative story lines with and love shown to me during my stay at Hibiscus was who lived at the Hibiscus Shelter many years ago.
an innate ability to narrate perfectly—dialogue so natural, intentional. I realize now that these were deliberate acts Photos by MaryAnn Ketcham
and other actions related with such exquisite word choices aimed at making me and the other children feel cared
that for me the loveliest part of this reading experience for and significant.”
was savoring the author’s writing style, prompting me Today, he is an advocate for facilities like Hibiscus
many times to put the book down for a few minutes to because of how they made him and his siblings feel. He has
reflect on precisely that. a family of his own and is a successful businessperson in
Fans of Agatha Christie will be well aware that one of Chicago. He used his challenges and difficulties to build a
her most famous murder mystery novels was Murder on solid foundation in life. He has owned and operated several
the Orient Express, which was made into a film more than catering and food related businesses and currently owns a
once. Her readers will immediately recognize Goldis’s bagel shop with plans to expand in the future.
nod to Dame Christie by setting most of her own new Miller acknowledges the role of his past struggles in
novel on an Orient Express train! shaping his resilience and determination to succeed but
But that is where the similarities end. Where Agatha attributes some of his success to the support and care he
Christie’s story follows the usual plot—a murder takes received at Hibiscus. He is grateful for the impact Hibiscus
place and we must then try to figure out who committed had on his life and for the services Hibiscus continues to
the dastardly deed—in The Main Character we are taken provide children who need a safe haven.
on a very different journey. CEO Matt Markley said, “Hibiscus was privileged to Diana Baker, Annabel Nicol, Senator Gayle Harrell and
I won’t reveal any more about that because I don’t have Dave share his inspiring story. His words underscore the Jodi Oliviera
want to spoil your fun. Instead, I am forced to use a
phrase here that I absolutely despise: Nothing on this
ride is as it seems. (I once devoted an entire column to
how much I hate that phrase, which is used to promote
so many books and films by lazy advertising writers who
can’t think of more creative ways to describe what they
are promoting. But in the case of The Main Character it
is the most important element in the story line.)
The book gets its title from its theme: A famous
bestselling author of murder mysteries, Ginevre Ex, has
figured out that her biggest successes have come from
stories based on real people’s lives. So she hires real
people and pays them to become the main characters in
her books, interviews them extensively, then fictionalizes
their lives in novels. Life moves fast—

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