Friday, August 29, 2008

Free Book Friday!


Title: Clean
Author: Ken Sweet
Genre: Literature, Contemporary, life, relationships, inspirational
Price: $14.99
ISBN: 978-1411696013
Point of Sale: Amazon.com

I picked this book up from Lulu in 2006 and subsequently reviewed it on Amazon. I thought I would post the review here and also offer my copy as a giveaway. Details appear at the end of this review.

The Blurb: Benjamin Whyte is about to set out on a grand quest. When his world begins to collapse around him, Ben recalls a vision he had as a child - a vision of cool water that can wash away the grime and filth accumulated over the course of a lifetime, a vision of a glowing light that can heal and make whole - a vision of CLEAN. He also remembers the shadowy stranger who barred his path. Leaving his former life behind him, Ben embarks on a journey to find CLEAN. Following the recommendation of a mysterious new friend, he purchases a plane ticket to Britain, where he travels through a land of ancient spirituality in search of his goal. CLEAN is a chronicle of this adventure; an adventure full of peril, romance, enlightenment, and ultimately, a confrontation with the dark man himself.

We have some typical plot devices in this story: childhood illness, visions during said illness, a tried and true status quo life, complete with bad marriage and less than fulfilling job. Yes, most of us can probably relate to all of that. But here is where the story takes a bit of a turn and begins to wax philosophic: Ben sets off to find a better life for himself, a fresh start, and begins with a trip to England in order to clear his head. Shortly after arriving, he suffers in a serious accident and his fresh start turns into an Arthurian Quest of sorts, a crusade for peace and harmony … and the Dark Knight standing in his way is all too real.

I reviewed this for Amazon when it first came out.

In the words of Socrates: "A life unexamined is not worth living." These profound words hold true for Ken Sweet's first novel ‘Clean’

It takes a great amount of courage to put one's life under the microscope, and an even greater amount of strength to accept the fact that what, in essence, is wrong with our lives is based entirely on the choices we do and do not make -- or to quote Mr. Sweet -- the doors we do and do not open. Ben Whyte has had this epiphany and with the help of his friends, has decided to do something about it -- make a change for the better -- open the door he fears most of all and become Clean. We all need to step back -- open that dark door and take a good long look at ourselves, a look stripped clear of life's glittery illusions. Ben shows us that we all have within us the courage and strength to do that. Bravo!

My critical comments are few. The books is engaging, the pace keeps the reader interested in the plotline, the characters are everyday believable in a semi-autobiographical sort of way, the editing is excellent, and the writing is contemporary in language and style, very easy to read and digest. There is a lot of beautifully described scenery, heavy on the mysticism with a smattering of symbolism – just like I like it. It’s also quite inspiring. The formatting could use a bit of polish though, and the cover wasn’t as eye catching as it could be, I thought the story deserved something with more impact considering the theme.

8/10

Giveaway details!
I am giving my copy of this book away. Comment on this post by Midnight, Sunday August 31st. A name will be drawn randomly and will be announced after the holiday on Tuesday the 2nd of September. If your name is announced as the winner, please email: podpeep at gmail dot com with your snail mail address. Good Luck!

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Count me in! Sounds like a great read!

Blogged ya at Breeni Books and Win a Book.

veinglory said...

I'm not in the draw for the book, as a fellow POD person, but it sound intriguing. I may need to pick up a copy of my own :)

Unknown said...

Sounds good, enter me please!

Becca said...

Clean sounds like a very interesting book. Please enter me.

Alyce said...

This book sounds intriguing! I would love to win a copy!

Jackie B. said...

This books sounds like it would be a great read. PLease enter me to win.

Anonymous said...

Please add me to your list of names to draw from. I'd be interested in reading this one.

Thanks
Rebekah
littleminx at cox dot net

jceko77 said...

Looks interesting; please enter me. Thanks!
jceko77@yahoo.com

windycindy said...

Sounds like a great, useful book to read! Please enter me in your drawing. I appreciate it! Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Hot Sauce Reviews said...

Can I enter? :P

Bunny B said...

Sounds like fun! I'd love to read this :)

photoquest said...

I would love to be encluded in your drawing! photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

avalonne83 said...

Sounds really great!
Please count me in. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

Anonymous said...

I want to win! Count me in, please!

gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com

Grateful Gramma said...

Sounds interesting! Please add my name to the drawing. Thanks!

sweetsue said...

I would love to read this-I like mysticism myself!

Icedream said...

I haven't read anything like this before. I am absolutely intriqued by your review and would love to be entered in the giveaway. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Your review makes this sound like a very interesting read! Please enter me!
digicat @ sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Please enter me, would really enjoy reading this book, thank you. Icetwofire[at]aol[dot]com

Krissie said...

I love finding new books to read, thanks for the chance to win one!
allmycrazycats @ aol.com

Wendi said...

I like your comments on the book.

Please include me in the drawing:
wbarker (at) hotmail.com
http://wendisbookcorner.blogspot.com
http://publicationsforhope.blogspot.com

:)