A Life Eternal

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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’. Rob comes off as mechanical and emotionless even before he is changed by his mysterious interaction with The Medic. Forgotten the title or the author of a book? Our BookSleuth is specially designed for you. Visit BookSleuth Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Shows only minor signs of wear, and very minimal markings inside (if any). Thanks so much for your support - it is really appreciated - and I hope you enjoy reading A Life Eternal! An extraordinary novel with a simple philosophical premise. Who wants to live forever and if this were possible, would you wish for this, and how would it affect you and want would you do.

From the trenches of the Somme to the tranquillity of a rich English country estate; from the gangsters and molls of Prohibition New York City to the decadent nightlife of Weimar Berlin, Rob Deakin struggles to come to terms with the gift that helped him survive the trenches, while hunting a quarry both elusive and mysterious. During this journey he attracts love and death in equal – and equally devastating – measures. Okay, that’s not entirely true. There are probably readers out there who’ll enjoy this book, but they certainly aren’t reading the same things I am. 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. My undergraduate degree is in philosophy, so this book spoke to me. What is the nature of humankind? Of death? We humans want to live more than anything. What if we were gifted (?) an eternal life? How would our lives change? Would we descend into darkness as Rob did? I, of course, cannot predict, but the thought occupies my time. Before reading it, the idea of living forever, not growing old and not having to think about the inconvenience of dying seemed like it would be a perfect existence.It's hard to give this story a genre; if pushed I would call it a thriller with a slice of grounded sci-fi. If you enjoy either of these then this book is for you. Whatever the genre is, though, it is simply all you could want from a book; something to take you out of the ordinary and the mundane and transport you into a world populated by characters you'll love (and hate). It wouldn’t take him long to discover that the medic he met had imparted eternal life to him. He would never age and he would never die. He emigrated to America where he was involved in running rum during prohibition. He knew that he must keep traveling to hide his condition. He saw that people kept their distance from him. He pretended that it did not bother him and pretty soon, he began to realize that it really did not bother him. Through the years, he saw much of the world. He did many jobs. He learned several languages. He found lust and he found love. Sam once again is on the trail of X-Ray and nothing is going to stop him getting his man. There is also the shadowy 'Widower Maker' to contend with, a serial killer who is as gruesome and awful as any character can be. All in all, Sam has his hands full, but, being the man he is, he isn't going to stop until he's won the day.

While the subject matter was sometimes confronting, I found Shadow of the Knife an enjoyable and engrossing read. I'd recommend it to any reader who enjoys gritty historical crime fiction - this is no cosy and refined parlour mystery - and/or has an interest in the early history of modern crime investigation. This was a great book about war, love, death, betrayal, pain, laughter, and life. All of which very importantly shower us the dualistic nature of the human condition. I laughed, I was angry, I loved, I despaired, and I cried true tears of joy and acceptance. Well done, sir! I'm looking forward too reading more of your work!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. Is it a gift or a curse to be immune to death, to be chosen to live forever? An eternal life, unable to die, to be killed, to live on in perpetuity while all around you age and die... What you have to remember, Bill, is that life is a currency. A currency of time that has no worth, and yet is priceless. Without it we do not learn, we do not grow. Without time, how does the new born baby learn how to hold, how to grasp, how to stand, how to walk? Without time how does the tree grow, the seasons change, the years pass?’ I can't start this review any other way than saying this is one of the best books I have read for a long time and is easily in my Top 5 favourites already! This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.