Thomas Wikman’s rating of Reunion:Coda:
Every writer dreams of being seen—of having their work not just read, but understood. Since Reunion: A Story first found its way into readers’ hands in 2018, Thomas Wikman has been one of the most steadfast and insightful champions of Jim Garraty’s story. His latest review of Reunion: Coda—titled “The Mystery of Life and Love”—is more than a reader’s appraisal. It’s a tribute that sees the emotional undercurrents, the layered timelines, and the quiet truths behind the words.
“The switch between the two timelines is obvious and clearly stated and yet seamless… built upon each other in a way that creates a captivating story and the fascinating world of Jim Garraty and his lovers and friends.”
Reading Thomas’s review, I was reminded of why I write. His recognition of the story’s emotional honesty and philosophical depth touched me deeply. From Jim’s bittersweet memories of Martina to the gentler love he finds with Maddie, Thomas captures the pulse that animates the Garratyverse: love complicated by memory, resilience shaped by experience, and the serendipity that binds past and present.
“Life is complicated and difficult, people will disappoint you… The book enlightens us on subjects like lost love, courage, disappointments, tragedy, integrity and forgiveness. Life can be good but never perfect. We recognize ourselves in the stories and it helps us feel and grow.”
Thomas’s reflections are a gift. As an author, there’s no greater reward than knowing a reader truly gets it—not just the story on the surface, but the quiet echoes within it. The resonance he finds in the subplots, character arcs, and lyrical prose affirms the care and introspection that went into every page.
“The character development is astounding, and the prose is beautiful and lyrical. The writing is of a very high quality, and the storytelling is epic.”
Thank you, Thomas—for your words, your continued support, and your faith in this journey. You’ve been part of it since the beginning, and your voice helps these stories live on beyond the page.
A Certain Point of View, Too 
Comments
12 responses to “📚 Gratitude for a Thoughtful Reader: Thank You, Thomas Wikman”
Thank you so much Alex, for posting about my review of your book and for your very kind words. Reunion: Coda is certainly a great book that deserves more praise and attention.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re quite welcome, Thomas. I appreciate that you got and read my novel, and that you got what I was attempting to convey in it.
I’m curious: Do you have any favorite scenes or supporting characters from Reunion: Coda?
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are hundreds of scenes that I liked but right off the bat, I remember liking the scene where Jim proposes to Marty that they should sing a duet together. I also liked the scene where Jim argues with Miguel about General MacArthur, but I liked it for totally different reasons. What you said was insightful and the scene was dramatic. I also thought the graduation scene was very well described as well as amusing. As for favorite supporting characters I would say Mark Prieto and I think Professor Boisvert. I forget her first name at the moment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, you liked Nicole, the Cold War studies professor (and briefly, Jim’s one-time lover). She’s mentioned, in passing, early in Reunion: A Story (as Nicole).
Those are all good “favorite scenes,” Thomas. And I’m glad you enjoyed the graduation scene; I wrote that on a very cold day in Madison.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is interesting that you wrote the graduation scene on a cold day. Yes Nicole was her first name. Somehow boisvert (green wood / French) stood out more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Writing about a rite of passage that took place on a warm, humid day while living in chilly New England was…an experience.
In junior high, I liked a pretty blonde in my math class. A lot. Her name was Kelly Marie Moore, but she had a French grandmother whose maiden name was Boisvert. We ended up going to different high schools, but I honored her memory twice over in my Jim Garraty stories, especially in “Comings and Goings.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
About the graduation, I can imagine. I remember you writing that real feel was 110 degrees and there you are in cold New Hampshire. It is impressive that you remember that she had a French grandmother whose maiden name was Boisvert.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I might not have “total recall” about many things, but I remember the women I loved or had major crushes on. Kelly was one of those crushes. 🙂
I haven’t seen her since we were at a graduation party in June of 1983, though. But her name lives on in the Garratyverse!
LikeLike
Garratyverse is good name for it. A fictional character with some similarities to the author, and a full repertoire of life events.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great review Thomas did on your book, Alex. Congratulations!
❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly is a great review, Cindy. I appreciate every review Reunion: Coda has earned so far, but I love the ones that show my work resonated with a reader beyond the novel’s entertainment aspects. I try to make my fiction entertaining and not focus so much on “themes” or obvious messaging, but I also hope that readers do pick up on some subtexts, especially about human relationships and our messy emotions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sure was and you’re so welcome. I’m certainly most definitely do.! 🙌
LikeLike