What a strange book this turned out to be for me. I wasn't sure what to expect when I began it. I have a tendency to randomly pick books, or select review books, without knowing anything about them, ( or, in some cases, very little). I don't read reviews before I read the books either. I fear spoilers too much. I fear others opinions coloring my reading, especially if I respect their reviews. So I avoid and then let a relationship unfold as I read.
There is so much I learned and reflected upon while reading this book! This is the reason for the slow reading. This book was like spending time with a mentor that I highly respect. One who knows the best way for someone to grow is to share experiences and invite them to reflect on them. To bring forth questions for them to ponder upon. Each of us is on a different path with individual experiences, even if it resembles another's path. This is why we can empathize with another but never fully understand their situation.
In reading this story, I found myself thinking of children in my family with autism. Conforming to the world is very difficult for them. They see things in their individual ways. I have tried finding a balance with them. The world will not conform to them yet, if allowed, they have much to teach the world. I also reflected upon my experience with domestic violence. I accepted the training of conforming to another's vision out of fear. Even when the little voice inside was screaming at me, fear quieted it until it was nothing. One of the things I also found myself thinking on while reading this book was the election that just passed: the political correctness, the unwillingness to allow another opinion, the rebellion that has happened on both sides. The book allows for many opportunities to reflect upon life in all directions. This is what I love so much about it.
Can I say I was entertained while reading this book? Honestly, I have no idea yet. I will be thinking on this book for awhile. I expect to visit it more than once in the future. I expect it will probably affect me as much. I believe I will have different experiences to add to my reflections. I have already begun recommending this book in my life so it is easy to say here, I recommend this book.
I received an ecopy of this book through BookTasters for review consideration. ( )

"Can you remember who you were before the world told you who you should be?"

A Little Voice by [a:Joss Sheldon|8511292|Joss Sheldon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1410475764p2/8511292.jpg] is a fast paced, thought provoking and totally absorbing story!

The author tells the story of a man, Yew Shodkin, who looks back on his major life-bullet points and analizes them, after finally embracing his true self. Yew begins his tale at the age of six, which is when he first hears the voice of the "Egot", encouraging him to rebel against social norms and pursue his real desires.

He found that disobeying his authorities (teachers, parents, bosses, etc) only resulted in him being punished. Whether it was disownment, being fired, rejected, having to write lines in class or being confined in his bedroom, he decided to behave accordingly to avoid the pains of punishment. Instead of being true to hiself, he chose to conform to society's standards in hopes of being accepted and reaching happiness.

By denying his personal inner needs and wants, Yew felt that he had lost his identity and fell into a depression. He spent 5 years in a university at his parents request (and against his real wishes) just to obtain a degree that never really aided him in life, and with out thanks. He worked at dead end jobs, where he followed his 'team leaders' rules to a 'T', but was never promoted for being a good employee. He worked hard at trying to be an acceptable citizen of society and despite giving his best efforts, never felt successful. Eventually, Yew hit rock bottom, and it was there that he finally learned to let go of his fears of rejection and give into his uniqueness.

This is a story of individualism verses conforming to social norms. This is a story of Pursuing happiness and achieving freedom of self.

I loved all the philosophical quotes and psychology theories Joss Sheldon used in this story; very informational and entertaining. At times this story is humorous, dark and even strange, but mostly it's thought provoking, honest and raw.



**** I received an eBook copy of this title in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Booktasters for introducing me to this author, and thank you to Joss Sheldon for allowing me the opportunity to read and review his novel. **** ( )

The description of this book appealed to me on many levels. I was looking forward to a sort of left-of-center experience, within a relatable story about the struggles of being different in a society that expects you to conform. This book is that kind of story, to some degree, though it's also both more and less than what I expected.

Starting with the good stuff: The story moves at a good pace. The author's writing style is conversational and conspiratorial, bringing us into his world and sharing his secrets. We're right there with Yew's character, seeing what he sees and feeling his emotions.

Now the not-so-good stuff, which, for me, outweighs the good stuff. First, I did not like Yew's character at all. Since this book is written in first person, and we see the world only from Yew's perspective, liking the book becomes even more of a challenge because I didn't like my tour guide. He's self-involved, arrogant, and narrates as if he is the only enlightened one among a bunch of automatons.

We start out with Yew in early grade school. As a child, he's not much different than any other child in that he wants to play and explore, rather than sit and learn. Yet the narration treats his desire to be free as if it's a unique rebellion. His relationship with his parents is the typical push-pull, though here it's treated as if a horrible burden is placed on his shoulders to live up to his parents' expectations. He comes from a well-off family that treats him with love, and the poor pitiful me act simply feels shallow.

As an adult, Yew is no more likable. He flails about in his shallowness, while expounding on philosophy and touting Taoism as if he is superior in his mindset. At one point he states that he's angry because he sacrificed himself by going to college (free!), and his parents never thanked him for doing so. The dichotomy between the self-proclaimed enlightened free spirit and the egocentric ranting of the narrator is profound, and feels more like a parody than a serious statement.

Yew is the only character of substance within the book. We never really meet his parents. His friendships, for the most part, appear to be as shallow as he is. No dialogue feels genuine, and no relationships are explored to help us understand why he feels so out of sorts within his social circle.

In the end, I only felt irritation, as if I'd been forced to spend time with a particularly obnoxious person who believes himself superior while having absolutely no basis for that belief.

*I was provided with a free ebook copy in exchange for much honest review.* ( )