Customer Reviews

A Slight Touch

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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This book is a fascinating ride through the intangible intersections that cross through humanity. It grappled with human relevance in a spiritual way that I found to be neither dogmatic or partisan. Cherryholmes also structures the novel in a stylistic way that emulates the three act structure of theatre plays (which is the writing of his that I remember from years back). This analogy to the theatre works on several levels, creating reflexivity for both the characters and the audience. A great book with fascinating relationships between characters.

For years I have heard about the power of synchronicity and was often taken aback with my experiences with this lovely "fate". Reading A Slight Touch, the author has captured the beauty and simplicity of this marvelous human awareness. I was totally engrossed in the characters and could not wait to read about Martha, Marc, Em, etc. as they travelled down their eventful (and mutual) paths.

I am not a true fan of Spiritual books, but this particular novel has enlightened my quest for a possible higher power. And if there is not such a being, so be it. It was just fun to read about these people's lives and how they learned so much on their journeys.

If there ever was an Oprah book, this is it. I am now going to purchase three more for friends.....
Joe

I just finished reading A SLIGHT TOUCH. What amazing fun! There were nights I went AWOL from the work I was supposed to be tackling, and just curled up on the couch and read. When it got to the last 50-75 pages, I couldn't put it down. I couldn't figure out how it would all end and when it did, I was thoroughly surprised. The voices of the characters ring true and it was just so darn much fun to read. I can't wait for Cherryholmes' next novel.
Someone's going to option A SLIGHT TOUCH as a film. It has movie written all over it. Thanks for writing such a great book!

Martha: A 50ish year old woman whose dreams long ago evaporated into monotony, until her sister sends her a bus ticket to L.A. to come watch her star in a play. Marc: A high-powered media seller forced to slum it on a bus after missing his flight to L.A. Emanuel: A young gay man heading to L.A. to escape the pain of a break-up with the man he thought was his true love. Three unrelated people who just happen to end up on the same bus...but is it as random as chance would have the reader believe?

A Slight Touch is a book for people-watchers; those of us that just enjoy watching other people and trying to imagine what they might be thinking. Its chapters alternate between these three characters and Miller, a seemingly harmless but slightly creepy security guard that finally crosses the line and begins a downward spiral into violence. Each chapter artfully brings the characters to life, and each character earns your undivided attention while he or she is center stage.

At a routine rest stop, Martha, Emanuel, and Marc all miss their bus and have to find alternative ways to get to L.A. As we watch each deal with what would seem to be nothing more than a minor nuisance, we learn that the bus they were all suppose to be on becomes involved in a fatal accident and all of the passengers died. As the book progresses, the story slowly transforms from a collection of separate tales involving the characters into an interwoven plot revealing how interconnected the characters actually are.

A Slight Touch is an intriguing read, and a recommended book for readers that enjoy character-driven narratives.

I was completely engrossed by the book. I was very interested to find out how it would turn out. I felt like I could hear the author's voice throughout, yet each section also had the distinct voice of the particular character. The book's larger idea, which is fascinating, is that angels are made by circumstance -- that we serve as angels for each other, often in ways that we do not expect or even perceive -- and that though we are interconnected in unpredictable and sometimes transitory ways, these connections are nonetheless profound.

The diverse and well though out characters drew me in, but by the end of the first "Act" I was completely hooked. I HAD to find out what was going to happen and what it was that connected all these people. A great plot and story and a fascinating message that makes you wonder what affect you have on others in your life. Great read!

From the moment I picked up the book, I HAD to finish! I relished every new detail that was introduced about the characters and marveled at how their lives intertwined. It made me pause and consider that perhaps, there are fewer degrees than I ever thought between myself and, well, anyone I haven't met.

I was totally obsessed with the book from chapter one. The intersection and convergence of these diverse, well defined, multi-layered characters made this a book I could barely put down. Cherryholms is a great storyteller and his book is a rare combination of mystery, thriller, introspection and humor. It was fascinating to rediscover Los Angeles through the eyes of natives, as well as visitors - all alienated in some way, yet bonded by self-discovery. This should really be the summer "it" book of 2008!