Author Dustin Thao, From a Reader’s Perspective
I always believe in metaphors. I feel some magic in metaphors. Going through some tough times one day, suddenly, in a dusky evening, I felt the urge to read something. To ease my heart, I randomly picked a book from the shelf. However, I was warned then that this book might shatter me. But my mind didn’t care much. Sitting at the edge of the bed, I looked down at the cover, which was pretty. The book’s name was You’ve Reached Sam.
As I turned each page, I was captivated by the flow of the writing. Dustin Thao has a remarkable command of the flow of writing. I was drawn in by the simplicity of the words, which created a strong connection. The rhythm of the words and the characters mesmerized me. The author truly understands the connection between words and emotions. The way the author portrayed each character left me speechless. As a reader, the simple yet elegant use of words made me a fan of the author. The author’s skillful balance of sadness and connection is truly outstanding.
We often rush to move on in real life, even if it goes against our hearts. We feel pressure to move on quickly. Sometimes, pain engulfs us in such a way that we feel numb and unable to cry. We just pretend not to care. But in the deepest corner, there is always something unexplainable.
As I read the book by Dustin Thao and turned the pages, I found myself asking, ‘Why am I crying so much? Is there something in my heart that I haven’t even opened up to myself?’ The book prompted me to reflect on these questions. After finishing the book and slowly putting it down, I realized that there was always something in my heart, but I didn’t dare to face it and cry about it. The author’s writing was finally able to bring it up, and I am grateful for that.
Thao’s novel reminded me that it’s okay to sit with grief and allow it to be part of the healing process. It reassured me that we should sometimes sit and let ourselves cry. We may force our minds to a rush of moving on, but in the end, the heart knows its way. The heart also knows the process of healing. We can find moments of connection that help us move forward, even if the pain never completely goes away.
– Cheezo
