Should John have been honest about his amnesia?

Use this forum to discuss the November 2021 Book of the month, "The Freedom Building" by Martin Kendall
User avatar
Vidhi Adhikari
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 613
Joined: 30 May 2021, 00:45
Currently Reading: True Teryn
Bookshelf Size: 280
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-vidhi-adhikari.html
Latest Review: Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless by Mitzi Perdue

Re: Should John have been honest about his amnesia?

Post by Vidhi Adhikari »

While John's amnesia would have been a lot less problematic had he confessed about it to others, the story wouldn't had been as interesting and gripping as it eventually became.
User avatar
Asiaa Szn
Posts: 280
Joined: 28 Dec 2021, 23:36
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 42
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-asiaa-szn.html
Latest Review: Killing Abel by Michael Tieman

Post by Asiaa Szn »

I do believe a serious illness as such as that shouldn't be hidden. He should have been honest from the onset and if he was, the story may have turned out different.
User avatar
Tina Masha 1
Posts: 78
Joined: 25 Oct 2021, 00:04
Currently Reading: Totem
Bookshelf Size: 22
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tina-masha-1.html
Latest Review: Killing Abel by Michael Tieman

Post by Tina Masha 1 »

Amnesia should not be hidden because it is a serious mental illness. Perhaps it was for good reason that he kept things hidden. However, it was required for the development of the plot.
Akshi Porwal
In It Together VIP
Posts: 380
Joined: 26 May 2021, 08:12
Currently Reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Bookshelf Size: 73
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-akshi-porwal.html
Latest Review: The Heat Is On by Afzal (Al) Sovani

Post by Akshi Porwal »

Yes John should have been honest about his amnesia, it would have saved him a lot of trouble. It must have been difficult for him to understand what was happening too but he should have confided in someone.
Stellah Chege
Posts: 199
Joined: 07 Sep 2021, 05:22
Currently Reading: Black Hat/White Hat: A tale of Good is Evil
Bookshelf Size: 95
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-stellah-chege.html
Latest Review: Addressing Systemic Discrimination by Reframing the Problem by Dr. Frank L. Douglas

Post by Stellah Chege »

In an ideal setting, John should have been honest about his amnesia. But given the circumstances of the book, it would have been completely different had he not lied. Considering he thought was the best situation out of the worst circumstances, I tend not to judge him. It's unfortunate that his lie led him in trouble
User avatar
Akangbe Opeyemi
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 397
Joined: 09 Dec 2021, 08:07
Favorite Book: Qualify
Currently Reading: Farmer Beau's Farm
Bookshelf Size: 38
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-akangbe-opeyemi.html
Latest Review: Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise by John K Danenbarger

Post by Akangbe Opeyemi »

Amnesia seems like a big issue that should not be kept hidden. It could affect relationships, work, attitudes. Though the plot would have been different and might not be enjoyable if he had opened up about his amnesia.
Aarushi Pareek
Posts: 35
Joined: 10 Dec 2021, 07:49
Favorite Book: The Alchemist
Currently Reading: Hallowed Ground
Bookshelf Size: 20
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-aarushi-pareek.html
Latest Review: Hallowed Ground by Cindy Ziperman

Post by Aarushi Pareek »

If John had been honest about his amnesia, it would've saved him from a lot of problems. However, John's dishonesty was necessary for the plot development and twists.
Walter R
Posts: 366
Joined: 08 Jan 2022, 20:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 43
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-walter-r.html
Latest Review: Cynthia and Dan by Dorothy May Mercer

Post by Walter R »

People are better able to empathize with our condition or situation when they know about it. In this regard I do feel that John would have been better off letting people know about his amnesia as he wouldn't he wouldn't have had to go through all that he did. Still a matter of choice though.
Venus2304
Posts: 59
Joined: 12 Jan 2022, 13:28
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 14
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-venus2304.html
Latest Review: The Pro-Achievement Principle by Dr. Deborah Bright

Post by Venus2304 »

Honesty is a big word if you ask me. In that kind of situation, i might have lied too because I'm unaware of my environment or the people I'm with.
User avatar
Surabhi Rani
In It Together VIP
Posts: 1857
Joined: 11 Feb 2017, 22:23
Currently Reading: Demonslayer
Bookshelf Size: 1886
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-surabhi-rani.html
Latest Review: How To Decorate Cookies With Your Kids in an Afternoon by Micah Rhodes
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by Surabhi Rani »

I definitely feel that if John had been more honest and did not attempt to hide his amnesia, things would have been fairly easy for him and it would have brought him good results. Believing in people and circumstances was a better alternative he would have chosen for facing the challenge of his life and things would have eventually if not immediately turned out in his favor!
User avatar
Sarah Nichols 7
In It Together VIP
Posts: 163
Joined: 11 Jun 2019, 21:24
Currently Reading: Doctor Sleep
Bookshelf Size: 32
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sarah-nichols-7.html
Latest Review: The Freedom Building by Martin Kendall

Post by Sarah Nichols 7 »

While I was reading it, I did find it unnecessary for him to hide his amnesia. His reasons for doing so weren’t valid enough to justify. I think he would have made his life a whole lot easier if he explained he couldn’t remember the past three years of his life instead of pretending he did remember.
User avatar
Mbenma Esther 080
Posts: 856
Joined: 19 Dec 2020, 11:52
Currently Reading: My Enemy in Vietnam
Bookshelf Size: 28
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mbenma-esther-080.html
Latest Review: Killing Abel by Michael Tieman

Post by Mbenma Esther 080 »

John should have been honest about his amnesia so that he wouldn't have to go through the hard times he had. Silence is a great killer sometimes
Nenkangmun Deshi
Posts: 38
Joined: 26 Jul 2021, 06:07
Favorite Book: What did you expect
Currently Reading: What did you expect
Bookshelf Size: 17
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nenkangmun-deshi.html
Latest Review: The MECE Muse by Christie Lindor

Post by Nenkangmun Deshi »

It is trite that honesty is the best policy.
But this is a work of fiction and as such, the author had reasons to create a character such as he. So by reason of art for art sake, I am undecided. Even though if this was a real life situation, I posit that the honesty will get John help.
Connor Farrell
Posts: 19
Joined: 18 Jan 2022, 17:32
Currently Reading: The Art of Public Speaking
Bookshelf Size: 12
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-connor-farrell.html
Latest Review: Unremembered Victory by Dennis H. Klein

Post by Connor Farrell »

Yes, most likely. Lying/hiding things is never a good answer. If John had came forward, then he would definitely not have had to deal with what he had.
Adenike279
Posts: 47
Joined: 28 Dec 2021, 13:21
Currently Reading: The Reel Sisters
Bookshelf Size: 17
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-adenike279.html
Latest Review: The Biblical Clock by Daniel Friedmann and Dania Sheldon

Post by Adenike279 »

In my own opinion, he should have been honest by revealing he has amnesia. However, it still baffles me why he kept that serious ailment to himself, unlike in reality when people will aeldom cry out .
Post Reply

Return to “Discuss "The Freedom Building" by Martin Kendall”