"August" by Bernard Beckett will challenge all your thoughts about free will

“For some people hate was all they had left.” Bernard Beckett has a gripping writing style, which focuses on the ethical issues surrounding the lives of his simple, yet complex characters. In his latest philosophical melodrama “August,” the book cover sums up the situation.

A young man and woman are stranded upside down on the roadside, unable to move due to the injuries which they have sustained. One is (name), a young philosopher who has been dealing with the issue of free will. The other is a whore, who he picked up only hours earlier. Through a gurgled depiction of a tragic accident, Beckett introduces the grim reality many stranded car crash victims have. Fight hard or give up.

So both characters decide to fight. The boy begins to share his story and the girl follows suit. It is a gripping tale. Analysing the length of the stories, one can be forgiven for thinking the author originally intended only to tell the guy’s story. Yet, like any fine novel, the story seems incomplete without the girl’s tale.

Finely written from a third person narrative, it was gripping to see ethical issues dominating the forefront of almost every page. Centred around Christianity and free will, anybody who wants to have their 

predispositions on the matter rattled, reading through ‘August’ will provide them with a fresh perspective. On many occasions, both characters feel trapped inside their own minds, unable to determine if their own actions are done on their freewill; or if what is happening is intrinsically human nature, which can be predicted after extensive observations. 

It is said good books make you think, great books make you feel. Sure enough, Beckett makes you feel drawn into each situation. No longer can you merely be a passenger. Every time there’s a cut or shift, the time comes to refocus and try understanding what each character is feeling. If not, then the characters pass along without much thought. Trying to understand each characters intentions is often too difficult, which may upset readers who are looking for a light read.

Something which irked me was how lethargic certain sections of the book felt. Often, so many days, or actions were overwritten. Gaining momentum after an exciting opening also seemed a bit hard for Beckett. To his credit, he comes back with an engaging roar.

The cliffhanger at the end will leave you thrilled, excited and hungry for more. Bernard Beckett is a shining talent and in his book August, he deliver a masterclass of smooth, eloquent and polished writing. 

Rating 8/10