THE LION’S DEN by Anthony Marra (Inheritance Collection), Review
Anthony Marra’s Lion’s Den is the third title in the Amazon Original Stories ‘Inheritance Collection’.
The Lion’s Den Synopsis
Exposing his father’s transgressions in a tell-all was the ethical, righteous—and profitable—thing to do. What’s left but to slink back home for a humbling face-to-face with the man whose secrets he sold?
He was a notorious government whistle-blower. Depending on whom you ask, he’s a treasonous felon, a folk hero, a validated patriot, or a national disgrace. To his son, Michael, he’s the father who threw his family into upheaval. Now, having moved back home at the age of thirty-four, Michael is getting to know him as a man. And getting nearer to understanding his motivations that have remained a mystery in this darkly humorous short story of sacrifice and betrayal by New York Times bestselling author Anthony Marra.
Anthony Marra’s The Lion’s Den is part of Inheritance, a collection of five stories about secrets, unspoken desires, and dangerous revelations between loved ones. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single setting. By yourself, behind closed doors, or shared with someone you trust.
33 minute read – Amazon Originals – December 2019
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BOOK REVIEW
If you are anything like me, as you approach the holidays you are more eager than ever to spend some quality time with text from quality authors. But, since you just do not have the time to commit to a chunky read, you find yourself going without that literature fix.
Well, Amazon Original Stories, short works able to be read under an hour written by today’s top authors could be the answer to your problem.
Back in 2013, I was blown away by Anthony Marra’ debut novel A Constellation of Vital Phenomena — in particular the power and thought-provoking nature of his prose. In this short work, The Lion’s Den, he applies that poetic insight and perceptiveness to more modern and highly topical subject matter, to no lesser effect.
Through his protagonist and narrator, he evokes well the darkly humorous outlook that many made bitter and cynical by the times cling to like life-rafts. Even the most positive of us, will admit to having these moments.
He wears cologne with chloroforming potency; talking to Jimmy Massaro is like being maced by a Parisian policeman.
Note, there are quotes of far more gravity in this 24-page text I would love to share, but feel to do so would spoil the reading experience.
In this small literary morsel, Marra also poignantly depicts that tug of familial loyalty and being blindsided by what is left unsaid, or a perspective previously unseen.
In The Lion’s Den Anthony Marra once again demonstrates his enviable talent for breathing life into the grey zones.
BOOK RATING: The Story 4 / 5 ; The Writing 4.5 / 5 — Overall 4.25
Get your copy of The Lion’s Den from:
Genre: Literature, Drama, Short Story
About the Author, Anthony Marra
Anthony Marra is the New York Times bestselling author of A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, long-listed for the National Book Award, and The Tsar of Love and Techno, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.
* My receiving a copy from the publisher for review purposes did not impact the expression of my honest opinions.