Review & Giveaway: Stan's Leap by Tom Duerig

ISBN #: 978-0-595-50848-8 (sc)
ISBN #: 978-0-595-50106-9 (dj)
ISBN #: 978-0-595-61675-6 (ebook)
Page Count: 386
Copyright: 2009

About the Author:

(Taken from back cover)

Tom Duerig, a physicist by training, is the president of a medical device company.  While he has a long history of scientific writings, this is his first work of fiction.  His hobbies include sailing and studying the history of the South Pacific, two intricate elements of this novel.

Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

What would you do if you found yourself stranded in Paradise?


Newlyweds Jenny and Stan are eager to travel before they begin building their family.  After seeing an intriguing ad in a travel magazine, Jenny arranges a vacation to a remote Pacific island.  The advertisement promises a completely authentic Polynesian experience.  Despite an arduous journey to reach their paradise, they are excited to immerse themselves in the history, adventure, and culture of the Polynesian islands as they were before contact with the western world.


Led by the zealous Kimo and his beautiful partner Nani, Henderson Island first appears as idyllic as hoped.  The island's natural environment promises to provide for all their needs without modern materials and technology.


Several days after arriving, however, an unusual storm disrupts their routine.  And when the weekly flight back to civilization fails to arrive, tempers flare and deep rifts among the guests are formed.  Day after day passes with no sign of life beyond Henderson Island's shores.


As days extend into weeks and months, Jenny, Stan and the other vacationers are left searching for explanations, rescue, and finally a new reality.

Review:

This book is one of the reasons why I started a book review blog with the hope that publishers and authors would contact me about their books.  It has turned out to be one of those rare precious gems found amongst all of the knock-offs.  I received it from Tom's publicist in exchange for a review.

Even though this book is reminiscent of the infamous Lord of the Flies, Stan's Leap has its own unique voice ... perhaps unique enough to be as memorable as its similar predecessor.

Stan and Jenny are newlyweds who decide to go on an island adventure.  Getting there is somewhat of an annoyance, but once they reach the island and get used to island living ... it appears to be a dream come true.  They meet several other couples on the island ... who aren't all there for fun.

Kimo, the main man/leader/guide, seems nice enough, but some of his actions are questionable.  He'll go off for walks on his own and cannot be found, but is always around when needed.  He keeps everybody's possessions in a locked bunker and will not allow them to get anything out of it that could potentially harm the island.  His wife, Nani, is quiet and pleasant, but has a seductive side that shows itself at a gathering.

 Bob and Claire are the couple that travel to the island with Stan and Jenny.  Bob seems loud, overbearing and somewhat abusive.  His girlfriend, Claire, seems like the typical blond-headed ditz from Los Angeles that cannot think for herself and relies on Bob to tell her what to do and how she should act.  Bob and Claire made me upset ... him for being a neanderthal and her for being Bob's door mat.  Over time though, things changed.  I became proud of Claire and happy that Bob was knocked down a few notches.

I won't go into detail about every couple on the island, but I will say that they all meld together wonderfully.  The interaction between them all is depicted well throughout the book.  There's murder, seduction, love affairs and intrigue.  This book has become one of my all-time favorites and I will read it again and again.

Giveaway Info:

This giveaway ended November 19, 2010