by Steven Manchester
File Size: 1794 KB
Print Length: 144 pages
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books (June 1, 2015)
ASIN: B00Y7KNNJY
Genre: Holidays, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off.
As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.
A story of Christmas spirit that will strike a chord in your heart any time of year, THE THURSDAY NIGHT CLUB will make you look at the holiday season in new ways.
Print Length: 144 pages
Publisher: Fiction Studio Books (June 1, 2015)
ASIN: B00Y7KNNJY
Genre: Holidays, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0
Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off.
As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.
A story of Christmas spirit that will strike a chord in your heart any time of year, THE THURSDAY NIGHT CLUB will make you look at the holiday season in new ways.
Review:
Five college friends have begun their final year. Jesse, Izzy, Ava, Randy and, their regularly late friend, Kevin, meet on Thursday nights to share college life over a meal, card games, songs and laughter. The setting is college sparse, mismatched but cozy. The young people, especially the boys, often challenge each other with pranks. During one night’s banter one of the young men shares wisdom imparted from his grandfather. He asked the young man to ponder this perspective on life: “What if—in the end—wealth isn’t defined by what we’ve accumulated? What if it’s decided by how much we give away while we’re here?”
One morning a rush to class results in tragedy, taking the life of one of the most cheerful of the Thursday Night crew. Their grief is shared by one of their teachers who challenges them to show kindness to honor the memory of their friend. The new challenge – to win the pot of four quarters – is to do the kindest deed before Christmas. It is to be anonymous and they cannot spend their own money in the deed.
Each of the four remaining friends find creative and beautiful ways to honor their fallen companion. Although the goal is set for reveal at Christmas time, this is a story that is timeless in its wonderful messages. There are tidbits of positive life statements shared through the story that make this heartwarming and encouraging – even through loss.
The novella reads quickly; the dialogue is easy and fits the college aged characters. I highly recommend this for enjoyment and edification! I look forward to reading more by Mr. Manchester and am pleased I have his upcoming release, Ashes, for tour review in March, 2017.
I am thankful to have received this from the author.
