Fortune Smiles
is a compilation of six stories about relationships, responses to life
challenges, and the resilience of the human spirit. Set amongst present-day and
imaginary locations, the settings and circumstances of each story vary. And
yet, a common theme emerges as each character encounters difficult challenges
in the present while looking towards the future. In the process, they must
reconcile with their past. Some want to relive the past that is filled with
young love and good health; some want to recreate the past, denying events and
circumstances too painful to remember; and some want to seek redemption for
decisions in the past that fill them with regret and remorse. As each character
struggles with making decisions, they experience moments of hope, despair, escape
and discovery, and realize that life is a series of challenges and choices that
cannot be undone. “Life’s full of events – they occur and you adjust, you roll
and move on. But at some point… you realize that some events are actually
developments. You realize there’s a big plan out there you know nothing about,
and a development is a first step in that new direction.” (p. 53).
While some of the stories are more relatable
than others, each one leaves the reader in suspense, wondering what will happen
next in the life of each character. Each story is just a chapter or two,
allowing the reader to determine how many chapters remain in their life book. As
the story unfolds, we peer into the life of each person – their challenges and
choices, tragedies and triumphs, their past and their present. Beyond the
characters in these stories, this book also beckons the reader to reflect on
their own past and their present while contemplating the future. How has our
past, the challenges we have faced, and the choices we (or others) have made
impacted both ourselves and the people around us? What influence do these
choices and events have on the decisions we make today and in the future? “Every ticket was capable of winning if you played it right, which meant your
fate was no one’s but your own.” (p. 281). Since some of the content
explores mature themes, this book is recommended for high school age students
and beyond.
Bibliography: Johnson, A.
(2015). Fortune smiles: Stories! New
York, NY: Random House.
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