HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW
Book: Xamon Song: A Novel
Author: Adam E. Stone
Publisher: Global Dialogue Press, 2006
ISBN-13: 978-0977139606
ISBN-10: 0977139603
Related website: http://www.greenpressinitiative.org (publisher)
Language level: 2
(1=nothing objectionable; 2=common euphemisms and/or childish slang terms; 3=some cursing or profanity; 4=a lot of cursing or profanity; 5=obscenity and/or vulgarity)
Recommended reading level: Older teens and adults
Rating: *** 3 stars (FAIR)
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
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Stone, Adam E. Xamon Song: A Novel (published in 2006 by Global Dialogue Press, P. O. Box 1781, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864). Nineteen year old Eddie, who tells the story, and his lifelong best friend Mike are frustrated musicians from the city of Nyala in the nation of Carbonia who need something to do so they join the Carbonian Air Corps. They are sent to the tiny nation of Xamon half way around the world to help the Xamon army protect the timber operations of SangreDenar, a corporation of Carbonia, from rebels of an indigenous tribe known as the Saradita. Added to the mix are rumors of shadowy paramilitaries hired by SangreDenar who are committing genocide against the Saradita.
While conducting a reconnaissance patrol deep in the forests of Xamon, Eddie and Mike hear some shots being fired and come across a young human rights activist from Xamon City named Digna Giraldo Cardona who is running away from the remote village of Ochoa where she claims a paramilitary group has captured all the people along with two of her fellow workers. The two soldiers agree to accompany her back there. What will they see? And how will it affect their thinking towards what they are doing? This book will readily appeal to conspiracy theorists, human rights advocates, and environmentalists. I am not so naïve as to think that the kinds of goings on described in Xamon Song never happen in this world, but I personally doubt if they are as common as the conspiracy theorists, human rights advocates, and environmentalists often claim.
Aside from a couple of common euphemisms and childish slang terms (heck, “sat on my butt”), there are some references to foul language and cursing, but no actual foul language or curse words are used. There are no chapter divisions in the 148-page book. It is a story with one continuous seam. If a person likes this kind of plot, it is written in an interesting way, using a homey, almost folksy, narration style such as a might be characteristic of a modern nineteen year old young man, that will keep one’s attention. Whether one agrees with all the assumptions underlying the novel, everyone can agree with Digna’s observation that “all people matter.” Author Adam E. Stone is a writer, attorney, and human rights activist. Xamon Song is Mr. Stone’s first novel.
