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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Ron Leshem's BEAUFORT.
Donna from Concord, MA
What other authors do you usually read?
I like Jodi Picoult, Alice Hoffman and Stephen King. There are many new authors I have recently become interested in, too. I am reading the second book in a trilogy by C. S. Marks. I also enjoyed THE STOLEN CHILD by Keith Donohue.
What did you think of BEAUFORT?
I think that for a debut novel, it was written very well. I am not a fan of war stories, as I prefer happy endings. I’m not a fan of war movies, either; however, we all need a good dose of realty now and again and need to "face the music." Ron Leshem does a great job of assisting the reader in doing just that!
Would you ever read a future book by Ron Leshem?
Absolutely! Thank you again for my copy of BEAUFORT, and for introducing me to a new great author.
Heather from Newburgh, IN
What other authors do you usually read?
I mostly enjoy horror and/or fiction by Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and John Saul. Other than trying to read everything of theirs, if a book sounds good, I’ll definitely give it a chance.
What did you think of BEAUFORT?
BEAUFORT was completely out of my "comfort" zone as far as fiction goes! What I mean by that is that if I had known nothing prior to reading it, I don’t know if I would have even picked up something like this. After learning what it was about, I thought that perhaps I would enjoy it as I enjoy "war" movies. I had a bit of trouble getting used to the Israeli names, and I realized that my knowledge of foreign politics and war was extremely limited. By the end of the book, though, I was really glad that I stuck with it. I found it to be such a learning experience. I was taken aback throughout the reading of my own ignorance, but when I read that Mr. Leshem --- having been raised in Israel --- was as removed from the war as I was here in the United States, I realized that we weren’t so different.
Would you ever read a future book by Ron Leshem?
Yes, I would not hesitate to read another offering by Ron Leshem.
Patricia from Baltimore, MD
What other authors do you usually read?
Two authors that I follow are Peter Robinson and his British mysteries, and Arnaldur Indridason and his Icelandic mysteries. I also read and enjoy nonfiction about different countries such as GOLDEN BOY: Memories of a Hong Kong Childhood by Martin Booth and CITY OR ORANGES: An Intimate History of Arabs and Jews in Jaffa by Adam LeBor.
What did you think of BEAUFORT?
I thought that BEAUFORT really gave the reader a feel for what it would be like to be part of the Israeli army. The detail was fantastic, and the author did a great job of showing us all aspects of being a soldier, both physical and mental.
Would you ever read a future book by Ron Leshem?
I would definitely read a future book by Ron Leshem.
Susan from Wynnewood, PA
What other authors do you usually read?
I read a wide variety of authors, since I belong to a book group, and I also take a literature course at one of our universities. When I choose books on my own, I look for memoirs (I love Elizabeth Gilbert), books about living in other countries (Peter Mayle and his Provence books), mysteries (Elizabeth George, Sara Paretsky, Michael Connelly and Robert B. Parker) and legal thrillers (Lisa Scottoline and John Grisham), and for great fun and laughs, Janet Evanovich.
While I don’t normally choose "war novels" to read, I am glad I had an opportunity to read BEAUFORT. The author had me from the first page and kept me going all the way through. I know the adjectives "gripping", "honest", "searing", and "mesmerizing" have been used by the reviewers, but those are the words that come to mind when I think about this book. I have known young men who served in the Israeli army, and I will never again think of them the same way. This book has clarified how I feel about war and what it does to the boys forced into manhood who are on the front lines.
Would you ever read a future book by Ron Leshem?
Yes, I will read future books by Ron Leshem.
Veronica from Fort Wayne, IN
What other authors do you usually read?
I read Stephen King, Dan Brown, Dean Koontz, Danielle Steel, and Mitch Albom.
What did you think of BEAUFORT?
It was very hard to get into --- it took a lot longer to read than most books take me. In the end, it was very good, though.
Would you ever read a future book by Ron Leshem?
Yes, I would. He is a very good writer.
Carol from Bear, DE
What did you think of BEAUFORT?
I most often read classics, chick lit and Christian fiction, so this book was a real stretch for me. In fact, after about the first 20 pages, I had determined I would not be able to read the book; it was too graphic, too crass. I told myself I would read to page 30 and then give myself permission to put it aside. But by then, I was intrigued by the story and decided to do my best to ignore the raw parts. I felt I was getting to know the characters and that, as crass as they were, I cared about them. I wanted to know if their sacrifices were going to be worth it, if they would learn and grow from their experiences, and, yes, if they’d live. I also wanted to know what Lila’s note said, and it kept me reading right to the end. Leshem did a good job of helping me understand someone of a different culture, different sex, different nationality, and different life circumstance. The language and description was such that I felt their frustration and fear and anger. The tension drew me in and carried me through to the last page.
Would you ever read a future book by Ron Leshem?
I would give another book by Leshem a look-see now, because he is an excellent writer who draws you in, and I wouldn’t have looked at his work before reading this one. But, I would not read another book by him if it were as crass and sexually explicit as this one. That just does not appeal to me.
Sabrina from Fort Walton Beach, FL
What other authors do you usually read?
I read Pratchett, Lehane, Delinsky and Shriver.
What did you think of BEAUFORT?
It’s a little hard for me to read because I’m so unfamiliar with the terms, places and customs in the book. Leshem is a good writer, though I think some editing is needed. Several times, there were too many examples of one thing or another all in one paragraph. It could use some weeding out. The story sounds real, though. It has a feeling about it that maybe what's being described is not too far from the truth of war in that part of the world.
Would you ever read a future book by Ron Leshem?
I think I would read another book by Leshem. He puts words together in a way that paints a picture in your head.
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