The Forgotten Child Trilogy Book 1

By Mark W. Sasse

 

Book Blurb

If she wanted help changing the world for one forgotten child, she chose the wrong man. Seventy-two-year-old Francis Frick would scorn his own family to close another deal. But Bee doesn’t see the world like you or me. She is an optimist, searching for potential where none exists, and so she hovers above Frick’s bed every night, eating pomegranates and waiting for his eyes to open to the possibilities. One night, it finally happens. A rogue droplet of juice slips through her fingers and hits the sleeping Manhattan businessman on the forehead, thrusting him on a series of baffling adventures to some of the twentieth century’s most brutal regimes—all to help Bee save a forgotten child of history.

A MAN TOO OLD FOR A PLACE TOO FAR is part one of The Forgotten Child Trilogy—a one-of-a-kind adventure that mixes time travel, magical realism, and historical fiction into a contemporary story about an old man, his estranged daughter, and a tiny flying person in a white robe, who chooses to believe that anything can happen with enough prodding and an endless supply of pomegranates.  (Goodreads)

My Review

Francis Frick is a modern-day “Scrooge” who would do anything to make another business deal.  He is friendless, and his only daughter is incessantly challenged by his callousness, but she made a deathbed promise to her mother to look after him. Bee, a fairy-like being, makes him her project, and what a project he is!  Bee and her friend Ash thrust Frick into a series of journeys into the past where he is literally dropped into some of the most dangerous and ruthless moments in history.

This story is well fleshed out with notes of magical realism, suspense, and history.  For me, this is a perfect combination.  In addition to several main characters, there are numerous auxiliary characters, but I had no trouble keeping track of who is who.

I’ve read and loved all of Mark Sasse’s works and this book is possibly his best so far.  There is no reason for me not to award five stars to A MAN TOO OLD FOR A PLACE TOO FAR.

The ideas expressed in this review are my own observations.

About the Author

Mark is a proud Western PA native but has lived most of the last twenty years in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. His overseas experiences have redefined everything including his palate, his outlook on life, and naturally his writing.

He has published six novels – the sixth being book 1 in his very first trilogy – The Forgotten Child Trilogy. Books 2 & 3 will be following soon behind.

His interests cast a wide net – from politics to literature – to culture and language – to history and religion – making his writing infused with the unexpected as he seeks to tell authentic and engaging stories about people from all walks of life. His writing is straightforward and accessible to all, especially those who enjoy writing injected with doses of culture, history, adventure, and delightful humor. You never know what you might get when you pick up a Sasse novel.

Besides novel-writing, Sasse is a prolific dramatist, having written and produced more than a dozen full-length dramatic productions. He especially is fond of the short play format and has twice won the Best Script award at the Short & Sweet Theatre Festival Penang. His plays and short musicals have also been produced in New York City, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. His play “The Last Bastion” was awarded the Greywood Arts Winter Residency 2018 in Ireland. Performances of his scripts also won Gold and Bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Forensics Competition 2014.

His professional background is as diverse as his writing. He holds Masters degrees from California State University Dominquez Hills and Azusa Pacific University in Humanities and TESOL respectively. His undergraduate degree was in English, which helped him develop his passion for creative writing. He has extensive experience in teaching English, history, and drama.

On top of all of this, he loves to cook everything from gourmet pizzas, to Mexican, to various Asian dishes. Flavor is the key of both his cooking and his writing. He very much hopes you enjoy the taste. (Goodreads)

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