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A Questionable Life

Luke Lively
Beaufort Books (2009)
ISBN 9780825305214
Reviewed by Kam Aures for Rebeccasreads.com (01/10)

“A Questionable Life” is a novel of questions.  “How Will I Be Remembered?” and “How Can I Make My Life Better?” are just two of the forty-plus chapter titles in this thought-provoking novel.  Jack Oliver is a banker in Philadelphia who has made many sacrifices in order to climb the rungs of the corporate ladder to the top.  Unfortunately, as has become commonplace, his bank is bought out by a bigger one and many changes ensue knocking Jack back down the ladder.  The merger brings on immense stress to Jack and he ends up hospitalized. When he is offered a position from a small-town banker at an old-fashioned bank this may be just the chance to take back his life and slow down the pace, but can he make the transition?

My favorite character in the book is Benny, the small-town banker.  He has some very wise insights on life.  The one that I liked most was his view on digital cameras.  Jack states that one of the advantages of them is that you can see the photograph right away without waiting for film to be developed.  Benny questions the desire to have something instantly.  He says, “It seems like a source of so many problems.  Rushing to invent, package, or manipulate what you’re seeing may give you something you think you want, but not necessarily what you really need.  When you look at that photo you just took, you’re paying more attention to the past, and you may miss what is happening now.  The past becomes a distraction.” (p.178)  Benny is full of thoughts like these and makes for an interesting character. 

Luke Lively’s first novel is very nicely written.  Although it is a very predictable book it is one that will hold your attention throughout.  The author “has over twenty-five years of experience as a bank executive” and “regularly lectures on organizational change, leadership and client service.”  Lively definitely wrote about areas in which he is proficient in which adds a bit of credibility to his novel.  I recommend “A Questionable Life” to anyone looking for an inspirational, good read.


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