DIRECT BOOK REVIEWS
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THE TRIER
by Jerry Vanschaik
Review prepared by Florence Osmund
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The Hook
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Author Jerry Vanschaik is a skillful storyteller who gives readers a week-long peek into the heart and soul of a local coffeehouse, the Trier, where a quirky array of characters shape Jay Altonstreet’s journey to self-discovery.
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Plot Summary
Second-year college student Jay Altonstreet aspires to become a successful writer. To that end, he and compadre Philpatrick frequent the Trier, a local coffeehouse where together they hope to write the next great American novel. A curious cast of characters come into the Trier while baristas serve them the brew of the day.
Altonstreet is an insecure lad and an overthinker of just about everything, especially when it comes to relationships. Connecting with his father had been difficult. Making friends had never been easy, and he had found meeting girls intimidating. Even his writing suffered from self-doubt.
The space occupied by the Trier in Dayton’s historic Century Building carries with it a legacy of assorted tenants, including a pharmacy, a coffee roaster, and a variety of lively bars. Now, a colorful band of regulars finds comfort in a place where the type of coffee they order and the manner in which they drink it may say more about them than their conversations. Altonstreet gives credit to the Trier and its patrons as a source of inspiration for influencing the path he takes for a more fulfilling life.
Assessment
Focusing more on characterization than plot, THE TRIER explores the thoughts, emotions, and personal growth of the protagonist, Jay Altonstreet. Author Jerry Vanschaik does an exemplary job at getting into Altonstreet’s head, creating a valuable emotional connection for the reader. It doesn’t take long for us to get to know what makes him tick—what pleases him; what motivates him; his strengths and weaknesses, flaws, and fears. All this is accomplished through the author’s skillful creation of convincingly realistic characters—via their internal dialogue, introspection, and actions—that are interesting and deep-seated. THE TRIER narrative is all about mood—that unsaid feeling created in the coffeehouse, its aura, the intangible presence that leads to a better understanding of the characters’ words, thoughts, and movements.
Although sometimes difficult to tell back story from the current story, Vanschaik’s writing style is well-structured, engaging, and fluid. THE TRIER narrative flows well with a consistent rhythm and tone. His descriptive writing makes it easy to visualize what is happening and experience each scene. A good balance of description, dialogue, action, and history allows the author to seamlessly weave together all the delightful story elements.
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Rating
On a scale of 1 to 5, THE TRIER is rated 4.5 by Direct Book Reviews.
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