Title: It Will Be Okay
Author: James Olds
Publisher: Brilliant Books Literary
ISBN: 9798889451884
Pages: 115
Genre: Biographical Memoir
Reviewed by: Lily Amanda
Hollywood Book Reviews
It Will Be Okay is a candid and conversational biographical memoir which sheds a glimpse into the life of the author for the better part of 2015-2018. Here, Mr. Olds presents readers with a newfangled way of writing which avoids a humdrum monologue, and instead aptly paints his life experiences within the background of a clinical social worker, Catherine, who is in her fifties interviewing a retired military officer, John, who narrates the author’s life experiences as his own.
The veteran has a spinal cord injury and is required to see a social worker, at a minimum, once a year. John’s career as a military man had suffered a major setback after he accidentally hurt his knee at Ranger School in southwest Georgia. At the time he was in his second marriage; the first one ended up in a divorce. His second marriage to a Korean woman also did not work out and by the time he was getting to his third marriage to Mercedes, a woman he had just met, John suffered from various medical conditions.
John’s life takes a further downhill trail when he began using his power chair more often after a fatal, fall breaking three ribs. At this point, he felt dejected and frustrated. Emotional abuse from his wife, her attempts to commit him to a nursing home and even trying to kill him to get rid of him, caused John to have major trauma, and this made him contemplate suicide. However, he remembered Biblical teachings strongly condemned suicide and consequently made a vow that if God could save him from this torment, he would be God’s servant for the rest of his life. It Will Be Okay is a spirited look at the journey of redemption and transformation in God’s hands as John’s life took a brand-new turn, bringing him inner peace through all these trying moments.
James Old’s groundbreaking story touches deeply. His narrative is nuanced and his words are carefully chosen for maximum impact. John, the main protagonist, and the narrator, presents us with a mystery which aptly gets uncovered in the caregiver’s room as he sheds light on his life. He embodies self-reflection, stoicism, perseverance, and forgiveness, as each chapter builds upon the other. The text further contains a high level of detail and sophistication as it includes Catherine’s perspective presented in the form of pensive, and at times witty observations about her patient’s story and demeanor. The book is divided into three chapters with the last one drawing to a brilliant conclusion as the dialogue between John and Catherine takes a unique turn with John sharing his insights on living a Christian life and the lessons he draws from various Biblical Patriarchs. With Catherine posing more questions, and John answering them wisely, the result is a profound awakening for anyone that reads this book.
Altogether, It Will Be Okay by James Olds is an affecting memoir with unrelenting prose and an oeuvre which speaks to the heart. This is a must-read.