Oh, happy day! The much-awaited Locker has launched successfully. I know because
I just received my copy. (applause)
A week ago, I posted the exclusive interview I had with bestselling author, Michelle
Ayon Navajas. Here it is, in case you missed it then.
And to celebrate the release of Locker, today I wish to share my Amazon review of
the book with you.
Sweet. Reminiscent of a time when the world was new, and
the young couldn’t wait to grow up
From the title story, I pulled out a line that I feel epitomizes what you will find in
the “fictional” stories in the book.
“remorse weighed heavy in my heart. I departed with a love I never had the
chance to confess.” P. 27
It is hard not to notice the attractive cover of this book the author titled Locker.
Locker: a compartment that needs the consent of a key to open or shut. And in this
book of stand-alone flash fiction pieces, there exists a physical and metaphorical
reference to such a compartment. And the reader comes to discover this the further
one reads.
In Locker, by Michelle Ayon Navajas, the first-person re-teller voice is the ideal
POV for this short fiction compilation as it allows the reader access to the
narrator’s mind. That said, it also helps the reader discern the situation independently,
and if the reader is paying attention, he/she becomes aware of what the narrator does
not see. It’s tricky: one needs to determine if the narrator is reliable or has poor insight.
And I hope the reader is able to discern the situation and form his/her own opinion
from the brief “learning” stories.
The luxurious language in the shorts in Locker by Michelle Ayon Navajas would appeal
to today’s intuitive young audience smart enough not to care for sugar-coating. And
to those of us still holding on to the nostalgia of an era when we were young and still
naive in the ways of the world.
I found each of the 57 stories pulling at my heartstrings, sending me through my own
cobwebbed lane of memories.
It’s obvious that Ms. Navajas was introduced to good literature that has informed her
world. She references them often in the shorts.
As someone who missed reading the classics when young, I waited for the Author to
mention “Greece” and “To Sir With Love,” two movies that carved milestones and
opened portals to my youth. She didn’t mention them, so in that, I’m alone. No worries.
The longer prose stories appealed to me in where I am in my maturity right now. I
found an affinity to all the stories that comprise the midpoint of the book. A
wonderful place to pívot.
Silent Scream, page 84, makes keen intuitive observations as the narration
continues and then admits a vulnerability. I really liked this section in the storyline.
“People tend to acknowledge pain only when they witness visible wounds. But not
all pain is dramatic or theatrical.
“It’s the silent scream that inflicts the deepest agony.
“…because this is tiring… I am tired.” ~ p 84
Throughout the book, the Author mentions names of literary greats. It is my hope
that whoever reads this book is piqued enough to research the works mentioned
here. That alone is sure to enrich anyone.
Remember the line I said epitomized the stories—p. 27? Well, we get a recall of
it on p. 151. “For far too long, I existed as a fully functional victim, silently carrying
the weight of my ordeal. I pressed on with life, the weight of my secret suffocating
me.
Get this book to get a glimpse into the travails of the narrator of Locker—It’s stunning.
It might help you make sense of your own Shakespearean-like tragedies. I’m so glad I
read it. Kudos to the author of Locker, Michelle Ayon Navajas. I’m glad to have this
book in my library of favorites.
Thank you for reading. Happy Summer, everyone.
“Reading makes immigrants of us all.
It takes us away from home, but, most
important, it finds homes for us everywhere.”
― John Keats, Books and Reading: A Book of Quotations
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I got my kindle book too. A wonderful start to my day.
Thank you Sadje❤️
My pleasure
It’s a wonderful day. Xoxo 🤗
🩷🩷🩷
What a wonderful review, Selma. We’re all excited for this.
Thank you Maria❤️
We are excited. 🤗
Oh, what a really remarkable review Selma. Your attention to details stunned me. And oh, I am so sorry you did not find your favorite classics in “Locker”. Who knows it might be in my next book🤭🤭🙌 thank you so dearly Selma.
Maraming salamat.❤️❤️❤️
A pleasure my friend. Xoxo 😘 🤗
Pingback: 5-Star Review of “Locker” by Selma Martin – michnavs
What an appealing review, Selma! All the best, Mich! <3
Thanks, dear Cheryl.
A beautiful review of this anticipated collection, Selma! <3
First off, happy birthday, young lady. I bless you. And yes, no more waiting on this book. xoxo Thanks for reading and liking my review. I hope Amazon keeps it. (they have a tendency to disappear) Blessings on your new week. xoxo
Thank you, Selma! ❤️
Agree with John Keats, this being the first time of my reading his quote 😀
Love your review. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Keats imparted wisdom. So happy his wisdom remains for us guardians of words in the world. So happy too that you liked it and that I could show you one you hadn’t read. Yay. Happy for your visit, little bird… Blessings.
I am happy to have read it. Thank you so much for the beautiful words and it is my pleasure to read your work 🙂
What a great locker’s review. Very nice .
Raj, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the review. Have a wonderful new week, dear friend. Blessings.
Thanks my dearest friend. Iam so happy.
So happy for Mich once again and great job on the review Selma💕
So happy to know you enjoyed Cindy. Blessings. Thanks for loving me up like this 😜 👏🏽 you 🎸 🙃 💕
💞💞💕