What did you think of how this book constantly switched between the "present" action of the missions and flashbacks?

[Laura Lee]

I don't think I have read a book that has had quite so much jumping back and forth between the advancing action (the missions) and flashbacks as in Man Mission. It's a very difficult way to write and still maintain cohesiveness.

Personally, though, I think Uliel pulled it off brilliantly. The flashbacks either related to some epiphany learned on the mission, or worked as foreshadowing.

What are your thoughts? Were you able to follow the action despite the constant jumping back and forth? Did you think it was effective or confusing?

[Nerea]

Personally I think the author did a diligent job switching the past and present events. He was careful to make sure that the reader does not lose track of the story line.

[Laura Lee]

Personally I think the author did a diligent job switching the past and present events. He was careful to make sure that the reader does not lose track of the story line.

I agree, and that takes a lot of skill as a writer. It would be easy to get lost, but he handled it very well and I was as interested in one story arc, as in the other.

[unamilagra]

I loved the flashbacks. I think that sometimes when authors try to write that way it becomes very choppy or confusing, but I think his transitions were very smooth and also made me more interested in both storylines. I feel like it would have been much more boring if they had been separated out.

[Laura Lee]

I loved the flashbacks. I think that sometimes when authors try to write that way it becomes very choppy or confusing, but I think his transitions were very smooth and also made me more interested in both storylines. I feel like it would have been much more boring if they had been separated out.

I agree with you. The flashbacks actually augmented the missions. He really wove the seamlessly together.

[Charlyt]

I didn’t mind it at all and thought that the author did a great job jumping back and forth. It was able show the contrast between the Man Missions and their personal life, and it was done smoothly.

[KitabuKizuri]

I think the flashbacks also made the characters more relatable, showing how their relationships built up over the years as well as showing the effects of having family support (or lack of which) and strong friendship bonds, among other themes.

[aacodreanu]

Referring strictly to the "how", I believe that the author does it very smoothly, the reader does not have any difficulty in following the thread of the action.
As to the reason why he does it or what he achieves by using this method, I believe it enriches the reading experience. A steady, chronological account of the trips, like a log, would have been somewhat boring.

[Laura Lee]

I didn’t mind it at all and thought that the author did a great job jumping back and forth. It was able show the contrast between the Man Missions and their personal life, and it was done smoothly.

The flashbacks really added to the story, didn't they? They helped to "flesh out" the characters.

[Laura Lee]

I think the flashbacks also made the characters more relatable, showing how their relationships built up over the years as well as showing the effects of having family support (or lack of which) and strong friendship bonds, among other themes.

That's a really good point. We wouldn't have felt the same connection to the characters without the rich back story the flashbacks provided. Thanks for sharing!

[Laura Lee]

Referring strictly to the "how", I believe that the author does it very smoothly, the reader does not have any difficulty in following the thread of the action.
As to the reason why he does it or what he achieves by using this method, I believe it enriches the reading experience. A steady, chronological account of the trips, like a log, would have been somewhat boring.

This is true. Hadn't thought of that, but you're right. I'm amazed at how well he does it. Thanks for sharing!

[HeatherEi]

I like them. It keeps me more engaged!

[Laura Lee]

I like them. It keeps me more engaged!

It really rounds out our understanding of the men, doesn't it?

[Brenda Creech]

I thought going back and forth from the current Man Mission to an incident in the past was effective. I didn't have a problem with staying focused. Actually, the flashbacks usually tied right into one of the characters' attitudes and moods of the moment on the trips.

[timur777]

I believe that the writer has managed to accomplish the switching between reality and flashbacks very well. It takes lots of mastery. I liked it.