Review of Pickett's Dream

[Onuoha Joy]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Pickett's Dream" by Christopher Carlisle.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Love is often said to be blind, but what happens when love is also deaf to the gentle whispers of conscience and dumb to the screams of reason? When does passion become a justification for deceit and desire a rationale for betrayal? The book "Pickett's Dream" by Christopher Carlisle, on the one hand, dissects the toxic dynamics of romantic relationships built on ego and control, and on the other hand, examines the limits that genuine love can stretch a person to. 

Brooke Adams, as the first-person narrator, narrates the story of his friend Athena Van Fleet, who had linked up with an old friend from college at her sister's wedding. This old friend was, surprisingly, the priest at the wedding. Ted Talbot, a tennis champion and Athena's husband, was a possessive and yet adulterous individual who couldn't stand the sight of men around his wife, not especially the new guy in town, John Pickett, the priest. As fate would have it, Athena had a special romantic connection with Pickett from the old days that was reignited by seeing him again, a connection she'd never felt with Ted. Using her influence, she made Pickett a rector at a very wealthy parish in Newport. When Pickett suddenly purchases a five-million-dollar mansion in Newport, eyebrows are raised, his source of sudden wealth is questioned, and jealousy sets in, especially with Ted seeing how close Athena was to Pickett.

The author explores several compelling themes in his book, including the themes of loyalty and relationships. The book explores various types of relationships, including Platonic friendship as evidenced by Athena and Brooke, romantic relationships, and family relationships. The characters' loyalty to one another is tested throughout the book, as the readers can observe firm loyalty from Brooke to Athena and Pickett and a contrasting disloyal attribute from Ted. Carlisle's novel shows the importance of genuine relationships built on trust, communication, and mutual respect. It also shows how relationships can be strained or destroyed by ego, infidelity, and betrayal. The theme of morality and ethics is another significant theme of the novel, as it explores the gray areas between right and wrong. Christopher Carlisle raises very important questions about moral values and ethical principles through the characters' actions and decisions. For example, Athena's longing for Pickett even while she was married may be considered bad and a sign of infidelity by many on the surface, but a deeper understanding of her situation and the reason she expressed love for Pickett shows that morality isn't and shouldn't always be a black-and-white concept. The theme of betrayal and deception is also explored by the author. 

The plot is set in multiple parts of the United States of America, with an emphasis on Newport, Rhode Island. Other places mentioned where some parts of the plot took place were New York and Massachusetts. The book is very engaging, and the author has a very rich vocabulary. The reader can both enjoy the book and improve his creative manipulation of words, as the author displays throughout the novel. I'd recommend this book to lovers of romance and anyone looking to enjoy a good novel. I'd rate this book 5 out of 5. The book was meticulously edited. There was nothing to dislike.

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Pickett's Dream
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[Sandre Lamar]

"Pickett's Dream" by Christopher Carlisle goes deep into the complexities of love, loyalty, and moral dilemmas. The narrative skillfully explores how relationships can unravel amidst desires and betrayals, prompting reflection on the blurred lines between passion and integrity.

[Nati Jiniya]

Thank you for this beautiful review! The book sounds interesting and unique, I'd love to give it a try. I don't have much experince with this genre, so it would be adventurous.