Title: Ana’s Way
Author: Manuela Draganova
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781984519054
Pages: 240
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington
Pacific Book Review Star
Awarded to Books of Excellent Merit
Ana thinks she has her life all figured out, when a curveball is thrown her way. She deals with that and comes out on top. Then another curveball has her losing a beloved property. She deals with that yet again and settles quite nicely in the aftermath. Life is not done with her though. A visit to Carli changes the course of her life yet again. Forty days in the land away from home have her finding love and a little surprise. Ana is a woman who triumphs, a woman who takes the lemons life throws at her and makes whatever suits her needs at the time.
Manuela Draganova’s narration of Ana’s Way is powerful. She is looking to assure the reader that regardless of what one faces in life, they can always improve a situation. Personal drive should be more than enough to set things right. Ana’s character is one to aspire to. Her tenacity and go-getter attitude towards life poses quite the challenge for the reader. Challenged is what the reader will feel as they walk through Ana’s life. They will feel a desire to take things in stride, to ride with the wave, to take control of their own destiny. Most of all, not to let life bully them.
This book is engrossing right from the beginning. Manuela Draganova is a literary artisan. The craft is almost unrivaled. At first, you will shrug at Ana but then you get to know her better and all initial impressions change. Not only do you admire her, you desire to be her. This is credited to the author’s uncanny ability to weave a tale. The author has the ability to develop such well-rounded characters which the reader can do nothing but to love them. The prose flows effortlessly. like a tranquil stream on a quiet day. The twists and turns are welcome. They do not leave the reader annoyed nor unsettled.
My favorite part is when Lily was being difficult. The struggle to raise a little girl without letting her slip through the cracks during a difficult age can be back-breaking. Ana thinks that the problem is lack of a father figure. This will remind the reader that even though it may seem like it, Ana is not actually super-human. Ana worries about things. It is her aggressive commitment to finding solutions which sets her apart from others. There is a lot to learn from Ana’s reactions to bad news.
The plot is engrossing and captivating. The writing is exemplary and beautiful. The characters will jump right off the pages and befriend you. Ana’s journey might change your view of life events in the future. This book is highly recommended and is inspired by true events – simply sit back and enjoy the ride.
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