The Precious Life [Paperback]

Che Parker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 2008

A seemingly happy and stable marriage spirals out of control in a hailstorm of hurt and betrayal.

Vivid and raw, full of the consequences of terrible actions done in the name of love, The Precious Life documents the unraveling of a marriage that, on the outside, appeared to have everything it needed to remain stable.

Joshua and Kathryn have settled for underachieving careers and a comfortable suburban lifestyle, coasting through life without any risk or adventure. But when secrets emerge about Kathryn's past, and a tragic accident sends the couple wheeling into grief, Joshua breaks away from their sheltered home and begins to fashion a second life for himself, brewing with anger, resentment, and, eventually, hatred for his wife that culminates in a murderous desire.

In its unflinching examination of the human condition, The Precious Life takes readers on a bumpy ride through the life of a couple on the verge of collapse.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Parker's latest portrait of urban angst (after The Tragic Flaw) a young African-American married couple in turmoil hurtle toward a violent showdown. College sweethearts Joshua and Kathryn, together for 12 years, with a young son, are haunted by the past and suffering in the present. Kathryn, a survivor of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon struggles to overcome an intense depression intensified by a car accident involving her family and her discovery that Joshua has been unfaithful. Joshua is equally upset by the knowledge that Kathryn was promiscuous before they married and by another college-era incident: the stabbing of his best friend, Diego. Parker depicts scenes from the couple's life with sporadic eloquence and grit, but fails to make a convincing argument for the lurid conclusion. Is the marriage afflicted by cultural malaise (Parker inserts descriptions of inane TV/film segments) or the strain parenthood can put upon troubled young parents? Parker's resolution is unsettling, the book too short and underdeveloped. (Dec.)
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About the Author

Che Parker has worked as a crime and politics reporter and staff writer covering national healthcare issues and Capitol Hill hearings. He is currently a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University. He works in public relations and lives in Alexandria, Virginia. Visit his website at www.cheparker.com or email him at [e-mail].

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Strebor Books; Original edition (December 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593092105
• ISBN-13: 978-1593092108
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,680,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Precious Life, November 7, 2011

By 

Wenona - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Precious Life (Kindle Edition)

The Precious Life is definitely a book ahead of it's time. Mr Parker has create a work that segues thru time forward and backwards by years, months, days, and minutes. He creates a web of deceit, mistrust, hurt, betrayal, and paranoia. His reference to the events of 9/11, and specifically the people employed at the Pentagon, suggests a permanent negative subliminal effect on the people who experienced this disaster up close. His writing technique draws you into the emotions of the moment, into the emotional struggle that began long before the final day that ends badly for Kathryn, Dawn, and Josh. His word paint a vivid visual picture of the events that lead Joshua and Kathryn down this destructive path.

I found the mention of Kathryn's eating disorder timely. In this complex world people are struggling with more than one thing and seek various avenues to resolve their issues. Being a Black women, I felt like this particular disorder was experienced by people of wealth and privilege, not by the the working class.

All said, I found The Precious Life an excellent read that addressed more than one facet of the complex lives that people live and all that becomes a part of the decision process that governs our outcome.

2.0 out of 5 stars It tries, but disappointing, June 17, 2011

By 

Ms. J. Joseph (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Precious Life (Paperback)

I so wanted to like this book and know that there will be many that do, but I am not one of them.

All the ingredients are there for this book to be great, but it ends up only being ok, and a book that I'm glad I borrowed as opposed to bought. The story line it's self it nothing new and Mr Che Parker does nothing new to keep you guessing apart from turning a boring read into a frustrating one by weaving the past and present in a way that instead of leaving you wanting more just has you going to the end of the book to see how it ends just so you can be done.

The inclusion of the "The Tragic Flaw' for me only proves to be boring, can Mr Parker write? Yes. Can he draw a reader in and leave them wanting more? No, not in my opinion.

3.0 out of 5 stars Special thanks..., January 16, 2011

By 

L. Hall "A B~more Reader" (Baltimore, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Precious Life (Paperback)

The Precious Life is an interesting read. It begins drawing the reader in with suspense and ends leaving the reader in awe. Parker's writing style is refreshing and authentic, most different from your average urban tale. My book club, Bmore Readers with W.I.S.D.O.M had the pleasure of discussing The Precious Life with author Che Parker. He led our group into an awesome discussion, clarifying our confusion on certain scenes, giving us "behind the scenes" extras, and drawing us into his characters more than we already were. Special thanks to Che for joining us for our book discussion. He has officially been inducted into the Bmore Readers Author Hall of Fame.

Latasha Hall

Vice President of Bmore Readers with W.I.S.D.O.M Book Club

Baltimore, Maryland

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