HERITAGE RESTORED

In "Heritage Restored," writer and prisoner, Barry Hancock, finds what he dubiously sees at first as an unlikely fan, publisher Monique O'Shannesey, when fate brings one of Barry's works into O'Shannesey's hands. Barry's hesitance to trust Monique is compounded by Monique's physical appearance; frightfully reflective of a mythic feminine symbol from his youth. But as Monique delves further into Barry's writings- spiritually electric allegorical poems and prose- a mutual trust ensues, a relationship which helps both to examine and make closure upon several personal ghosts too long avoided.

The twenty-four chapters of "Heritage Restored" are a mixture of drama and parable, implementing passages from Monique's journals, Barry's short-stories and poems, and solid prose. These diverse genres compliment each other here, and while Rosie is a crafted writer in all, his poetry specifically stands out for merit. The journal passages deserve applause for relating personal issues from a woman's perspective without deviating toward the male slant. The short-stories are creative, imbued with much symbolism and a pristine narrative.

The different writing styles are honed by care to editing, and the characters for the most part quite believable. My only criticism for this work is for Monique's character outside the journal, where there it is restricted by a slight reliance on romance-novel dialog and mannerisms. This, however, is not enough to damage the overall story.

The ending brings a gentle satisfaction to a story which evoked a wide-range of emotions; and I appreciated the author refraining from deluging the work with characters (and especially unneeded ones), an irritating trend amongst some popular writers. I was fascinated by this beautiful and at times despairing read. Rosie has a mastered talent, and with "Heritage Restored" has given us a story which touches and speaks to the essential human in all of us.

Reviewed by Maria Osborne Perry, author
and reviewer October 16, 2001
http://www.mariaosborneperry.us/

When prisoner Barry Hancock's poem falls into the hands of publisher Monique O'Shannesey it affects her so deeply that she feels she must contact the writer. A dialogue in letters starts up between the two, around which we see fragments of their lives and the effects of their interaction. Rosie threads his third person narration through with strands of journal and short stories, skilfully mingling and differentiating the various voices.

This is a book that opens with a great deal of promise and a sense of mystery. The effect of Barry's writing on Monique's personal life and the impact of her interest on his is both endearing and uplifting. The interplay between the story and the more fictional tales within it is very effective. As the enigmas are unfolded and the past revealed, the book lost something of it's grip on me - I found the ending cheering but certainly not the strongest element in the text. It's ultimately a very well written feel-good text that might well inspire you and will undoubtedly leave you smiling.

Rosie, although writing about a writer is not particularly guilty of the narcissistic navel gazing the subject tends normally to inspire. He uses "Heritage Restored" to show off a range of impressive writing skills - the simple third person narration holds the text together and provides unity. Monique's journal entries add personal depth and characterisation, and as a female reader I found them acceptable as a rendering of a female character - he certainly avoids most of the obvious clichés and misconceptions. The letters move the story along and convey a great deal without it all becoming bogged down and tedious. The short stories written by Barry are a very interesting feature: Most are largely allegorical, and parable like. However, the parables Rosie/Barry tells are political, personal and environmental far more often than they are religious. The sprinkling of poetry adds some further interest, but it is the short stories that are most memorable. My only complaint about the crafting of this text is that Rosie tends to repeat situations and phrases - often not bringing any new insight when he does this.

"Heritage Restored" is largely a vehicle for a selection of short stories, and as such it works very well. The overall plot is not enormously riveting, but it is pleasing to read, and certainly enjoyable.

Reviewed by Bryn Colvin,
Hollow Hills Publishing
August 08, 2001

Alastair Rosie

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