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This is a discussion topic for the the August 2016 Book of the Month, The Lost Identity Casualties by Kim Ekemar.


In his narration, I believe Matthias Callaghan often states valuable pieces of wisdom. For just a few examples, consider the following:

page 24 wrote:You don't give away good money to recover bad loans.

While reading, did any pieces of wisdom stick out to you?

I think this is a large part of my immense enjoyment of this artistic novel. I strongly dislike and disagree with Callaghan's vengefulness but cannot deny his competence, intelligence, and cunning. It's an intriguing juxtaposition of traits, in my opinion.


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One of the things that I learnt from this book is that people can be much more deep and complex that they seem, and that everybody has a history that makes them who they are.

Revenge doesn't make one happy. It will be interesting to see if Matthias is any happier in the next book in the series. He wasn't in the end of the first book.

CatInTheHat wrote:Revenge doesn't make one happy. It will be interesting to see if Matthias is any happier in the next book in the series. He wasn't in the end of the first book.

I promise you, he's definitely happier in the second book in the series!

kimekemar wrote:

CatInTheHat wrote:Revenge doesn't make one happy. It will be interesting to see if Matthias is any happier in the next book in the series. He wasn't in the end of the first book.

I promise you, he's definitely happier in the second book in the series!

This gives me hope! I hope I grow to like his character and he develops a more in-depth personality under the layer of hatred he carries. I am trying not to base all my opinions on the first book. I know sometimes the first novel in a series you should take with a grain of salt, which is what I am doing. The first book wasn't an easy read for me. I had to put it down a few times because the emotional level was intense. I can't relate to the vengefulness.

weeh84 wrote:
This gives me hope! I hope I grow to like his character and he develops a more in-depth personality under the layer of hatred he carries. I am trying not to base all my opinions on the first book. I know sometimes the first novel in a series you should take with a grain of salt, which is what I am doing. The first book wasn't an easy read for me. I had to put it down a few times because the emotional level was intense. I can't relate to the vengefulness.

I think it's hard for most people to relate to that level of vengefulness. People may sometimes wish revenge but most people don't actually act on it.

While reading The Lost Identity Casualties, there were several phrases that I found to be profound or words of wisdom. I have provided the phrases below along with the page numbers:

1) "...time is the only thing that you live for, and the only thing that kills you. Nothing is forever..." p131

2)"...using someone’s greed is by far the easiest means if you want to manipulate him." p131

3)"...quality costs, but it gives you more value for the money.” p135

4)"...of long-term survival in business: unless you’re willing to give, you won’t be able to receive." p184

5)"...the fundamental reason for working towards your goals is to be happy, or enjoying yourself, or improving the world, or whatever makes you feel good about yourself." p186

I would love feedback from others. Do you agree with me that these statements are indeed words of wisdom?

I agree. I found a lot of insightful information through out the book like this. I love books that leave you thinking at the end.

kimekemar wrote:

CatInTheHat wrote:Revenge doesn't make one happy. It will be interesting to see if Matthias is any happier in the next book in the series. He wasn't in the end of the first book.

I promise you, he's definitely happier in the second book in the series!

Good to hear!

Jennifer Allsbrook wrote:While reading The Lost Identity Casualties, there were several phrases that I found to be profound or words of wisdom. I have provided the phrases below along with the page numbers:

1) "...time is the only thing that you live for, and the only thing that kills you. Nothing is forever..." p131

2)"...using someone’s greed is by far the easiest means if you want to manipulate him." p131

3)"...quality costs, but it gives you more value for the money.” p135

4)"...of long-term survival in business: unless you’re willing to give, you won’t be able to receive." p184

5)"...the fundamental reason for working towards your goals is to be happy, or enjoying yourself, or improving the world, or whatever makes you feel good about yourself." p186

I would love feedback from others. Do you agree with me that these statements are indeed words of wisdom?

I think profound may be too strong of a word. Usually I reserve that qualifier for something phrased in a way I have never heard that gives me pause. I believe these are simply good pieces of advice.
The first one you mention is, in my opinion, the "deepest,' but the ending ... "nothing is forever" ... is a bit too cliche

Jennifer Allsbrook wrote:While reading The Lost Identity Casualties, there were several phrases that I found to be profound or words of wisdom. I have provided the phrases below along with the page numbers:

1) "...time is the only thing that you live for, and the only thing that kills you. Nothing is forever..." p131

2)"...using someone’s greed is by far the easiest means if you want to manipulate him." p131

3)"...quality costs, but it gives you more value for the money.” p135

4)"...of long-term survival in business: unless you’re willing to give, you won’t be able to receive." p184

5)"...the fundamental reason for working towards your goals is to be happy, or enjoying yourself, or improving the world, or whatever makes you feel good about yourself." p186

I would love feedback from others. Do you agree with me that these statements are indeed words of wisdom?

1 -> I agree that this is true of our lifetimes here on Earth. I have always said myself that life is a lethal affliction.
2 -> Totally true. Greed is one of the easiest things to manipulate by far!
3 -> Again, spot on! You have to gauge between cost and quality to get true value.
4 -> That's true in life too! Biblical wisdom right there!
5 -> I would say that most people would be satisfied falling into one of those categories.

Jennifer Allsbrook wrote:While reading The Lost Identity Casualties, there were several phrases that I found to be profound or words of wisdom. I have provided the phrases below along with the page numbers:

1) "...time is the only thing that you live for, and the only thing that kills you. Nothing is forever..." p131

2)"...using someone’s greed is by far the easiest means if you want to manipulate him." p131

3)"...quality costs, but it gives you more value for the money.” p135

4)"...of long-term survival in business: unless you’re willing to give, you won’t be able to receive." p184

5)"...the fundamental reason for working towards your goals is to be happy, or enjoying yourself, or improving the world, or whatever makes you feel good about yourself." p186

I would love feedback from others. Do you agree with me that these statements are indeed words of wisdom?

These are great words of wisdom - it would do people very well in life to remember these quotes. I especially liked number 2 - this is a theme that has been seen over and over again in books, movies, and TV, and the way it was phrased in the book summed it up very well and is definitely a quote I would remember.

"time is the only thing that you live for, and the only thing that kills you. Nothing is forever"
So deep! Love quotes and books that leave you thinking!

AA1495 wrote:"time is the only thing that you live for, and the only thing that kills you. Nothing is forever"
So deep! Love quotes and books that leave you thinking!

I love that!

stoppoppingtheP wrote:One of the things that I learnt from this book is that people can be much more deep and complex that they seem, and that everybody has a history that makes them who they are.

True. Noone is born great or evil, and noone is completely white or black. Everyone's a shade of grey and it's their circumstances that make them that way.