Doyle E Duke

Let me revisit this review, since I got a grumpy email from the author after reviewing his book. Let me clarify: I enjoyed the story, it's an interesting one, and I love reading about people's lives. However, there are definitely some chapters that may trigger some people. Some chapters were difficult to read. There are some paragraphs that discuss animal abuse, sexual assault, alcoholism, miscarriage, crippling depression, and racism. Fair warning.

Authors email to me:
I received your review of my book “Fatherless Sons” yesterday, and I
must say I was very disappointed. Not so much by the negativity of the
review—I expected there would be those who disliked it—but your
reasoning. You say there should have been some “trigger” words, and
found subjects such as “animal abuse, sexual assault, alcoholism,
miscarriages, and racism” offensive. Unless I’m mistaken, you chose to
review my book based upon the information I provided on Library Thing.
In my list of associate words there were “triggers”: physical abuse,
rape, chicken fighting, gambling—but the only miscarriage was that of
my wife. And while it was a presentation of my despicable actions this
was a story of my life and a struggle to overcome the deficiencies of
that life. What were you expecting to read?

There were also other “trigger” words in the book and the key words:
love, farming, religion, Christianity, Church of God, photography, and
traveling. If you read carefully, I think you’ll see where all these
words, from both lists, good and bad, were instrumental in my
development and therefore, the development of the story.

I’ve always considered a review’s main purpose was to inform the
prospective readers about the story and should assist them in choosing
whether to read the book or not. I did not see that in your review.
Instead, it sounded like someone who was offended by the real life
drama of an abused child, and young adult, who was struggling to pull
his life together. What were you expecting, Cinderella or Snow White?

I think you do yourself and prospective readers a disservice. You
don’t like my book; fine, I can live with that. Tear it apart, but
tell “Your” readers what is wrong with the book, why you don’t like
it, what you find offensive. Please, don’t just name-drop a list of
words you don’t like.… (meer)

Right off the bat I the lack of footnotes and other reference materials information an issue. The book was interesting however, yet many people believe by faith and Mr. Duke seems that there is an issue with faith and people who lean on that to help them get through life. While the book is his opinion of the bible I would have gotten more out of the book with the resources used in getting him to his opinion. I appreciate that he was up front with his beliefs and his thinking, I just think he could have done a better job showing how he got to his conclusion.… (meer)