Unraveling Our Roots: A Review of Jack Reacher’s adventures in Past Tense
In an unusual turn of events for me, I found myself watching the Jack Reacher movies, portrayed by Tom Cruise, and the TV show Reacher, portrayed by Alan Ritchson, before diving into the books. However, after a quiet, beautiful, insomniac night, under the reading lamp, trying to shine it away from the pretty face of my girlfriend, sleeping next to me, I raced through the pages of “Past Tense”, thoroughly enjoying it.
The experience of having watched the adaptations before the source material added a new dimension to my appreciation of the character of Jack Reacher and Lee Child’s writing. Having found and cultivated in my soul the tendency towards being alone and leaving the world behind at a moment’s notice, I deeply admire/envy the free spirit that Reacher embodies.
“Past Tense”, the twenty-third novel in the Jack Reacher series by revolves around Reacher’s journey to the fictional town of Laconia in New Hampshire. There he discovers that his father and grandfather have a dark secret buried in their past. Reacher’s curiosity takes him on a journey through the town’s history and uncovering the truth about his family’s past, leading to a dramatic and suspenseful confrontation with the town’s corrupt forces. The plot is filled with twists and turns, and the tension builds as Reacher gets closer to the truth, leading to an explosive finale.
As with many Jack Reacher novels, “Past Tense” combines elements of mystery, suspense, and action with a strong sense of justice. Reacher is a compelling and determined hero who is unwavering in his quest for the truth, no matter how difficult or dangerous the path may be. The story also touches on themes of family, responsibility, and the weight of the past, making for a rich and thought-provoking read.
Coming from a country that went through many wars, including its modern history, and therefore couldn’t afford the time to keep proper registrations of its population, I regret not being able to trace my family tree beyond to very few generations. I was very fond of my grandparent, particularly of my paternal grandfather, and I wish I had asked him about his memories of his grandparents, before he had passed away. The past often guides the future and I think it is important for us to know where we came from. In Reacher’s case, the look into his family tree turned out to be quite an adventure.
I checked and learned that there are already 27 Reacher novels out there and I just got to cross the first one my list. I definitely recommend the series to anyone who needs to get away from the technology for a bit, while also not having time on enjoying some deeper readings. Reacher is a great read for a quickly paced life, as it is easy to focus on and enjoy even while reading on a train ride or while waiting for your order to arrive on your lunch break./*54745756836*/