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'via Blog this' Until you conceive clearly this wheel of rebirth, you will find most of the deeper problems of life obscure, you will fail to understand the justice of life. WHITE EAGLE
Monday, August 27, 2012
Haven't We Met Before?
Haven't We Met Before?:
'via Blog this'':Flawed, But Definitely Worthwhile - A No B.S. Review, August 13, 2012
By William E. Webb "digitalzen"
Amazon Verified Purchase (What's this?)
This review Is from: Haven't We Met Before? A Trilogy Of Love (Kindle Edition)
I put off reading "Haven't We Met Before? A Trilogy Of Love" for a year, so that I could sit
down with it and read it all at once, rather than in pieces as I am prone to do with novels.
Let me say at the outset that Austin Bassett is a close personal friend. As such, we do not
b.s, each other, and I'm not going to b.s. you. This book has its flaws, but it is still well
worth reading. Here's why.
Customer Review
Austin has an unusual way of looking at the world and the hereafter. As an agnostic and
hard-nosed skeptic I'm unable to judge its accuracy or pertinence, but I know it has brought
him much peace, and that if I were looking for a philosophy of that sort I would certainly
tend toward something similar. "Haven't We Met Before" is a subtle (OK, sometimes not so
subtle) exposition of those beliefs, but it is much more. For one thing, it is a tour de force of language. When writing about the Victorian Era, Austin writes authentic Victorian prose. As a great Tennyson fan, along with having recently reread "Middlemarch", I was surprised at how well the language of the first book in the Trilogy matched the era. The style creeps over, pleasantly, into the second and third books as well.
the sea, makes his shipboard scenes perhaps the best in the book. .
Other aspects of Austin's life thread throughout the book, perhaps visible to only a few of his
closest friends. However, it is by no means an autobiography nor memoir. It is strictly
fiction, a work of love that sat in his head for decades before he had the leisure to put it to
paper.
Now the cons. The book is too long, primarily due to the long conversations. The author
pounds his subjects into submission, preferring to make absolutely certain that we "get it,"
rather than giving us subtle clues. Much of this is due to nonexistent editing, and the rest to
an obvious desire to exposit things that are important to him. A writer myself, I know how
difficult it is to self-edit, especially long pieces, and the publisher did not cooperate. Because
of that, there are also errata in punctuation and (rarely) syntax. Furthermore, I read the
Kindle edition because it was more convenient to my rather mobile lifestyle, and the
transposition to eBook did not go well. Some of the problems were obviously due to the
automated formatting. In any case, one becomes absorbed in the story and fails to notice
them after a bit.
Before" again. Of thousands of books consumed over a long life, I can only say that of
perhaps a hundred or less. The book, while flawed, is an extremely worthwhile experience.
If you are wondering why I have not dealt with plot and character, it's because other
reviewers have already done so, and this is too long already. (Self-editing, don'cha know.) I
will only say that you hate the right cads, love the right heros -- flawed though they are --
and can't make up your mind about enough of the others to keep things interesting. I felt
close to, but not intimate with the characters -- another consequence of the book's Victorian
tenor that i personally found enjoyable.
'via Blog this'':Flawed, But Definitely Worthwhile - A No B.S. Review, August 13, 2012
By William E. Webb "digitalzen"
Amazon Verified Purchase (What's this?)
This review Is from: Haven't We Met Before? A Trilogy Of Love (Kindle Edition)
I put off reading "Haven't We Met Before? A Trilogy Of Love" for a year, so that I could sit
down with it and read it all at once, rather than in pieces as I am prone to do with novels.
Let me say at the outset that Austin Bassett is a close personal friend. As such, we do not
b.s, each other, and I'm not going to b.s. you. This book has its flaws, but it is still well
worth reading. Here's why.
Customer Review
Austin has an unusual way of looking at the world and the hereafter. As an agnostic and
hard-nosed skeptic I'm unable to judge its accuracy or pertinence, but I know it has brought
him much peace, and that if I were looking for a philosophy of that sort I would certainly
tend toward something similar. "Haven't We Met Before" is a subtle (OK, sometimes not so
subtle) exposition of those beliefs, but it is much more. For one thing, it is a tour de force of language. When writing about the Victorian Era, Austin writes authentic Victorian prose. As a great Tennyson fan, along with having recently reread "Middlemarch", I was surprised at how well the language of the first book in the Trilogy matched the era. The style creeps over, pleasantly, into the second and third books as well.
The author grew up in Southampton, and his locations exhibit that familiarity. I have never visited "the county," but I feel sure I would recognize it if suddenly transported there.Likewise, having lived through the blitz and much of the aftermath himself, he brings an immediacy to that period born of painful experience. A barber by trade, Austin made dozens of Atlantic crossings as crew on the Queen Mary, before starting his own shop on Fifth Avenue. His familiarity with the New York of the mid-20th Century comes through in the
portions that are set there, and his seagoing experience, along with an attendant interest inthe sea, makes his shipboard scenes perhaps the best in the book. .
Other aspects of Austin's life thread throughout the book, perhaps visible to only a few of his
closest friends. However, it is by no means an autobiography nor memoir. It is strictly
fiction, a work of love that sat in his head for decades before he had the leisure to put it to
paper.
Now the cons. The book is too long, primarily due to the long conversations. The author
pounds his subjects into submission, preferring to make absolutely certain that we "get it,"
rather than giving us subtle clues. Much of this is due to nonexistent editing, and the rest to
an obvious desire to exposit things that are important to him. A writer myself, I know how
difficult it is to self-edit, especially long pieces, and the publisher did not cooperate. Because
of that, there are also errata in punctuation and (rarely) syntax. Furthermore, I read the
Kindle edition because it was more convenient to my rather mobile lifestyle, and the
transposition to eBook did not go well. Some of the problems were obviously due to the
automated formatting. In any case, one becomes absorbed in the story and fails to notice
them after a bit.
-:
Perhaps the best overall statement that I can make is that I will read "Haven't We MetBefore" again. Of thousands of books consumed over a long life, I can only say that of
perhaps a hundred or less. The book, while flawed, is an extremely worthwhile experience.
If you are wondering why I have not dealt with plot and character, it's because other
reviewers have already done so, and this is too long already. (Self-editing, don'cha know.) I
will only say that you hate the right cads, love the right heros -- flawed though they are --
and can't make up your mind about enough of the others to keep things interesting. I felt
close to, but not intimate with the characters -- another consequence of the book's Victorian
tenor that i personally found enjoyable.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Google Reviews for 'Haven't we met before?'
Google:
The New York Courier Bookstore Review. July 2012
Austin Bassett delivers a romantically thrilling novel entitled 'Haven't We Met Before? A Trilogy of Love.' Separated into three parts, readers can delve themselves into the highly complex worlds of three relationships. Follow characters such as an American sailor and a woman of high English society in Part 1 as they fall in love in the year 1861. In Part 2, follow the experiences of an English nurse and an American physician in post war England. Finish with Part 3 as you travel to Israel with two students who, after being booked on the same flight, fall in love in the year 1983. Mystery, murder, love, and lust fill the pages of this romance novel and is sure to please readers searching for a book with a thrill on every page.
The New York Courier Bookstore Review. July 2012
Austin Bassett delivers a romantically thrilling novel entitled 'Haven't We Met Before? A Trilogy of Love.' Separated into three parts, readers can delve themselves into the highly complex worlds of three relationships. Follow characters such as an American sailor and a woman of high English society in Part 1 as they fall in love in the year 1861. In Part 2, follow the experiences of an English nurse and an American physician in post war England. Finish with Part 3 as you travel to Israel with two students who, after being booked on the same flight, fall in love in the year 1983. Mystery, murder, love, and lust fill the pages of this romance novel and is sure to please readers searching for a book with a thrill on every page.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
GoogleAmazon. com: Customer Reviews: Haven't We Met Before?
Google:
'via Blog this'A PROFESSIONAL REVIEW BY JAIME POLYCHRONES for Publishamerica
'via Blog this'A PROFESSIONAL REVIEW BY JAIME POLYCHRONES for Publishamerica
Haven't We Met Before? A Trilogy of Love
By Austin Bassett
Austin Bassett provides readers with a little bit of everything in Haven't We Met Before? A Trilogy of Love.
Beginning in 1861, Part One chronicles the romance between an American sailor and an English girl.
Part Two, set in England and the U.S.
Two students fall in love after meeting on a flight to Israel
Three.
Three.
Covering major events in these time periods, Austin
In 1861, a woman of nobility is expected to marry a man of considerable 'means. Henrietta Oakley is one of those women. She mulls over her father's anticipation of her marrying a wealthy man when she meets Jeremiah Pearce, a sailor without those promises of wealth. The romantic tension between the two and Henrietta's frustration are presented so well that authors will be rooting for her to follow her heart despite society's conventions and her duty to her family.
Following World War Il England America
A final story of two students, Rachel Klein and Justin Church, shares the narrative of a joint flight to Israel
All of these stories exhibit love affairs between lovers from different lands. Anglophiles will delight in the British dialog and the minutiae of the culture, and lovers of history will find themselves satisfied as more than a century of American and British history are covered in this historical romance novel. The details and dialog for each time period prove that Austin
Austin Bassett addresses all aspects of a romantic relationship and proves that love knows no time. The issues that plague lovers today are similar to those of lovers in the nineteenth century. Austin
What's most spectacular about Haven't We Met Before? A Trilogy of Love is the element of reincarnation that Austin Bassett implies through his characters. If readers wish to indulge in that delight, then an even deeper meaning and reflection is extracted from this tale of love during times of redemption and moving on.
You can find Haven't We Met Before? A Trilogy of Love at http://www.publishamerica.netlproduct42625.html.
GoogleAmazon. com: Customer Reviews: Haven't We Met Before?
Amazon. com: Customer Reviews: Haven't We Met Before? A Trilogy Of Love
A romance with depth, August 7th 2011
By Margaret Rees- See all my reviews
By Margaret Rees- See all my reviews
Those of us who are interested in the idea of reincarnation will be intrigued by the suggestion in this novel that lives are lived with one another purposefully, and that love between men and women continues after death. The intertwined stories are fast paced and gripping and the whole long novel is totally satisfying. The conversational styles vary with each historical generation and depending on which side of the Atlantic they take place, so that one is taken right into each scene and life so that it becomes quite real. The philosophy which underlines the stories is hinted at and is not given center stage, so that one can enjoy the novel as a romance or find much food for thought depending on one’s inclination.
Not your average Romance novel! July 29, 2011
Haven't We Met Before?: A Trilogy of Love (Paperback)
By Chris M.- See all my reviews
If you're a lover of historical romance novels but tired of predictable plots, "Haven't We Met Before? should be high on your reading list. The characters and their times [spanning many generations] spring to life in this trilogy, with the stories tied together in a most unique way. Imaginative yet believable, with details that must have required a great deal of research, this book may well lead you to deeper questioning of amazing "coincidences" that have occurred in your own life. A small caution to the "proof readers" out there--this book reads more like a manuscript submitted for final editing, but the occasional typos failed to detract from the adventure!
Haven't We Met Before?, July 18, 2011
By Doc Summers- See all my reviews
By Doc Summers- See all my reviews
Haven't We Met Before?: A Trilogy of love (Paperback)
This is the type of novel that you take on a long cruse, (especially if accompanied by your mother-in-law). It certainly may take your mind off the trivial.
Written mostly in 19th century English prose, it possesses a Samuel Clements quality of word-description of the local environment and temperament of the day.
Austin Basset is a very fine writer and the book is hard to put down.
Austin Basset is a very fine writer and the book is hard to put down.
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