A Life Eternal

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Rob Deakin mungkin seorang laki-laki biasa. Ia lahir di Inggris, kemudian ikut dalam Perang Dunia Pertama. Tapi suatu ketika ia, dalam keadaan sekarat, ditemui oleh seseorang misterius yang kemudian membuat Rob menjadi manusia yang luar biasa: tubuhnya bisa sembuh dengan cepat dan akibatnya ia tidak bisa mati. What kind of trouble would you get into if you were immortal? Rob is a soldier in WWI and suffers injuries fighting that should have killed anyone, but when he’s on the verge of death, a strange man touches him, and Rob recovers fully. Doctors are baffled. Sooner or later it becomes obvious that Rob isn’t aging. What’s going on? This is not just another trite tale or formulaic adventure; it has clearly been written by someone with a particular story they want to tell, and Richard Ayre’s passion to tell it well is evident throughout. I found myself easily carried along on the main character’s incredible journey, sharing his experiences and emotions. The author’s knowledge as a history teacher also shines through, and Ayre is able to deftly summarise the stark realities of key events of the twentieth century through the eyes of his protagonist in a way that’s always plausible and interesting. And if the sense of time is – quite rightly – the star of the show, the sense of place also deserves a mention. From the wilds of Northumberland to New York, Paris, London and Berlin, and from those big cities to the remotest corners of Scotland, all of these environments are portrayed brilliantly. I liked the deeper descriptions of the futuristic workaday world as well as the magical elements. The robots, the glass-walled skyscrapers, the transport systems; all described in wonderful detail, reminding us that Steve's world, even away from magical Darkacre, is very different to our own. The ending is absolutely perfect and really touches your heart with true humanity. It is evident throughout the story Richard has deeply thought about immortality and his insights are very thought provoking. One of my favourite is from the very wise Madeleine:

This story is a philosophical journey into the nature of humankind and the quality of (the possibility), of an eternal life.The two men find themselves in a desperate race against time to find the murderer before any more people die. A race that will take them from the murky world of the East End to the even more shady world of the Victorian upper classes.

A Life Eternal is a poignant exploration that really gets you thinking about whether immortality would be a blessing or a curse.A brilliant, humane, thrilling story spanning decades of significant events in world history. It explores a subject that human beings have been pondering since the beginning of time. Eternal life on this earth. Eternal youth. Wouldn’t that be wonderful! Living forever in a body that never ages yet having the wisdom of an ancient soul. I absolutely adored this story. Everything about it. The good, the bad, the ugly, the sad, the heartbreaking, and the redemption. This is an entertaining, dark and atmospheric book with an excellent plot twist. Recommended for thriller fans, especially historical thrillers. Perfect for the time of year and dark, cold nights. If you are a strict fan of historical facts then this may not be for you, some of the real truth has been altered, if you don't mind then it is a worthy read!

However, a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger will change the course of Rob’s life forever… Not only has he been healed, but he cannot die, and he will never age.This is a psychological study as well as a journey through the ages. It’s a sociological study as well. Rob’s experiences change him, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. It’s interesting to follow along and to wonder what turn he’s going to make next. It makes one wonder what they would do in his situation.

This fascination with endless life is what drew me into this story, and it was what kept me reading when I became a little weary of the main character. Rob Deakin is equal parts everyman and no-man, but is ultimately generally unlikeable and his “glass half-empty” personality made the times he lived through, and the people he interacted with more ‘history textbook’ and less ‘historical novel’. The positives for this story are in its secondary character development and in the direct foreshadowing offered as occasional bridges between scenes, characters, and time periods. I also found the historical period details and descriptive recounting of certain scenes and locations where the story takes place, very satisfying. The sense of place is consistently strong, and that always earns points. I usually try very hard to find something good to say about everything I read. I don’t believe there really are any “bad books.” A Life Eternal may have me revise that opinion. The primary theme of "A Life Eternal' is as much a philosophical reflection on humanity and the sometimes sordid, sometimes mundane details of living, loving, and dying as it is a rote recital of events and people from a seemingly disengaged and disinterested main character.Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-life-eternal-richard-ayre/1137644772?ean=9781912946099