Whether I believe some or all of the New-Age topics or not, I am always ready to put aside my skepticism and prejudice in favor of science and enjoy a well-told story, which I found The Reluctant Healer to be one. The book with most of its short chapters beautifully written is easy to read and fast-paced after one-quarter of the way. The story question or premise —What would a certain character who is more or less set in his life do when a strange talent is discovered in him? –also attracts the imagination and curiosity.

The main character Will Alexander is a young attorney working in a firm. One evening he meets a woman named Erica in a bar. Erica is into everything New Age as an energy-healer, and she tells Will that she sees his aura of many colors and that he is special and can accomplish big things like healing others. Although Will is highly skeptical of what Jessica says and believes in, he is captivated by her and pursues her. The two start a relationship, even if Erica gets a bit pushy at times. When Will unknowingly heals a few people, he ends up believing what Erica says. Then, a few other twists and turns occur in the story that keeps a reader reading.

What made me startle a bit--on the negative side with disbelief--, is Will’s treatment of Jessica, the two-faced activist tabloid author, who tricked him just to get a story and bend it her way into some kind of titillating, unjust news. As a lawyer and a smart person, I didn’t expect Will to fall into such a trap. Then, as to the naming of the characters, Erica and Jessica can be mixed up by a reader who lacks attention since the two names rhyme and they have the same syllable count.

As to the characters, Will is a nice guy but can be wishy-washy and gullible at times. The way Will changed--throughout the story to its end--shows this author’s talent and keen insight into this character. As to Erica, I thought she was the stronger character but somewhat brash and unlikable from my point of view. Even though she may be very smart and sure of what she knows and believes in, I found her respect for other people to be lacking, unless when they were good to her, like Will's parents. She certainly isn’t the kind of person who could convince me on the merits of any New Age beliefs.

I did like the judge and the courtroom scene at the ending as well as the legal documents since I am always curious about the law and the courts. For me, that last part brought another perspective to the story.

Although some readers may think that the story isn’t quite finished, what makes the ending satisfactory for me is that Will came to terms with his healing ability and he and Erica are now looking toward a future together. On the other hand, I would like to know how they would proceed from this point on. I guess that will be up to the author to let us in on this couple’s future.

keeping an open mind while enjoying a pretty well-constructed story

the flow and the premise of the story.

is Andrew Himmel, a founding partner of Himmel & Bernstein, LLP, located in the Flatiron District, NY. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Himmel worked in book publishing. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, the universal energy healer Michele LaGamba-Himmel.

the author placed his characters in situations similar to his life and thus made the story believable even if this was his first book.

If the New-Age hocus-pocus rubs you the wrong way, this book is not for you, but I think the story is very good and I would have given it five stars if the secondary characters were better developed, and the main character wouldn't act out-of-character at times.

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Created Jul 23, 2019 at 4:10pm • Submit your own review...