Clare Green

Smashwords book reviews by Clare Green

  • Lies We Were Told on Oct. 17, 2012

    Lies We Were Told by Mr. Leslie MacDill is the story of Aidan MacEwan which the author tells us is closely patterned after his own life experiences. Aidan MacEwan is a man in search of family and history who encounters adventures, danger and women in some very unusual circumstances. While this could have been a much better story what we are given is the narcissistic, perhaps even sociopathic, account of a man and his fantasies. The story lacks important details while encumbering us with details not necessary to the story. We ought to be given more details about main characters such as Erin O’Flynn (we are provided only sketchy background at best) and instead know more about the wine Aidan chooses to take to dinner. Mr. MacDill seems to delight in attempting to impress us with his knowledge of music, wine, coffee, tea and food. This space would be better used to tell us the thoughts in his character’s minds and in giving us greater detail about important characters. We know more about Rupa, a relatively minor character than we do about Erin who ends up being…..well, I won’t spoil the story for those who may decide to squander a few dollars. A tendency of sociopaths is to lure one in initially with a “pity me, see how hurt and damaged I am” story and this is exactly how we are drawn into the story of Aidan. Sociopaths tend to be charming, charismatic, complicated and intriguing while also being manipulative, controlling, deceptive and conscienceless. (Look at The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout for more information) Four women seem to fall at Aidan’s feet (every man’s fantasy) in large part because they feel sorry for him, and want to “fix” him. Aidan is supposedly some mythic hero, Thunderhorse, however all of the heroic deeds are performed by the female characters and Aidan merely reaps the benefit. He does nothing heroic on his own. Mr. MacDill leads us to believe that women want this sort of man. However his ego has steered him wrongly here. He only thinks he knows what women want but has yet to figure it out. The author would be wise to examine the works of authors such as Diana Gabaldon and her Outlander series if wishes to successfully compete in this genre.