"The Condemned" by Shari Lopatin is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that explores the complex dynamics of justice and redemption. Lopatin skillfully weaves a tale of a society grappling with moral ambiguity and the consequences of its decisions. Set in a dystopian world where individuals deemed "condemned" face the harsh realities of their actions, the story follows protagonist Elena as she navigates the blurred lines between right and wrong.

Lopatin's narrative is both haunting and evocative, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries of justice are tested. The characters are well-developed, and the author delves into their psyches, unraveling layers of guilt, remorse, and resilience. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they contemplate the ethical dilemmas presented.

"The Condemned" challenges readers to question their own beliefs about justice and redemption, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy thought-provoking dystopian fiction. Lopatin's writing is sharp and poignant, delivering a powerful message about the complexities of human nature and the pursuit of absolution.

Thoughts
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was my first introduction to Shari's work and felt so unique. The use of short stories, poetry and personal essays gave an insight into the writer and the way in which they function that traditional memoirs don't tend to achieve. I also liked the technique feeling the underlying loneliness bleeding through some of the works.

Favourite Quote
"It's amazing how small a family can become."

My life is a war,
And I am the enemy.
Fighting myself in this never-ending battle,
I will not win not lose.

A memoir told through a mix of short fiction stories, personal essays and a short collection of poetry.

A beautiful book. I went through many 'Shari moments' - joyful, painful, heartwarming, thoughtful, contemplative and also calming. The format of this memoir is interesting.

'Cause after all,
If God discriminates,
What else is there to live for?

A must-read.

The Condemned
A memoir told through selected early works of short stories, essays, and poetry
by Shari Lopatin


I found this collection of writings to be poignant and thought-provoking. My background is different and also similar to the author. The commonalities we shared were the human and questioning parts. Always dreaming and wondering. And the question I have known almost every woman to ask, “am I good enough?” The answer for this author, Shari Lopatin, is you have found your platform. I have once again found my life enriched by another’s perspective.

The poetry section was beautifully written, and made my heart feel a million different emotions. It is rare for me to find modern poetry that is well written; and in a style which makes me want to slow down and soak it all in.

I love short-stories, memoirs and poetry, so was delighted to find all three in this book.

This lovely collection starts off with short-story fiction. “A Call from Paris” was my favourite: a married couple reminisce and dream together about a different life over a long-distance call. It’s very evocative and read like one of my own memories.

From the memoir section, I really enjoyed “The Condemned” which depicts the author’s struggle with anti-Semitism from a young age and how she dealt with it. Dark themes of internalized discrimination are explored throughout the section.

In the poetry section, it was great to see the inclusion of a very early poem and its back-story. In general, I find it difficult to review poetry because it’s so personal and full of hidden meaning, how can one judge it? But I have to quote from “Sweet Delirium”:
“It is nothing,
And everything,
Understood,
And confused.”

Overall, I loved the soft nostalgia and tender sadness that flowed throughout. It’s a gentle invitation to get to know the writer and I’m glad I did.

Thank you BookBooks Publishing LLC and NetGalley for providing the ARC.

The Review

What an emotional and captivating collection of stories. The author found a great balance between her fiction and nonfiction works, with each story doing an exemplary job of conveying the raw emotions and pivotal moments that defined her life. The imagery and the heart that the author poured into the story and essays were remarkable, really bringing the reader into these moments and in the case of the fiction work, allowing the reader to embrace the characters outright.

The poetry was also so moving and conveyed the honesty and passion of the author’s writing so eloquently. The quick pace of the book and the variety of the collection gave the author ample opportunity to really connect to a wide range of different readers and gave an intimate look into the author's life in a creative and moving way.

The Verdict

Insightful, thoughtful, and engaging, author Shari Lopatin’s “The Condemned” is a memorable and thought-provoking memoir filled with creativity and heart. The powerful messaging of the stories in this collection brings to life a beautiful and emotional story of triumph in the face of adversity, and the journey to find life and purpose.

These collections of short stories, essays and poems are well written. Reading them represents something in the author’s life and other things. Thanks to BookBooks Publishing LLC and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review.

The condemned is a unique beautifully written memoir.A roller coaster ride of short stories,raw revealing essays nothing held back.A memoir you will relate to and an author I will be following.#netgalley #the condemned

The Condemned by Shari Lopatn’

The Condemned contains a worthy selection of short stories, essays and poems by author Shari Lopatin. She writes in a simple style and packs emotion into her work.
While the compilation makes for a breezy read, few of the contents are uplifting stories. In fact, “Stone from Hell,” the longest entry, portrays a dystopian 22nd century in which the Upper Classes rule but are largely unseen. The heroine, Stone, struggles to survive in a kill-or-be-killed and trust-no one society. It might seem far-fetched that she can tap her temple to place herself in a hospital where a doctor provides instructions on delivering a baby. However, none of us knows what the future holds.
In “Pomegranates,” she writes about a young restaurant server who befriends an older woman neighbor who has a pomegranate tree. In “A Call from Paris,” a married couple that lives apart has trouble communicating with each other. In “The Condemned,” the title story, she writes about a Jewish girl who feels ostracized from an early age from classmates who believe she is going to hell because she does not accept Jesus as her savior; this theme could be developed into a short novel, but it likely has been done before.
Among her nonfiction entries, “Cracks in The Wall” describes her visit 14 years ago to Israel where a wall separates the Jewish and Arab communities. She compares, or contrasts, the experience with becoming acquainted with a former colleague who escaped the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia. In "Death of a Dream,” she writes about a career change after being a reporter for a few years at a small daily where I had worked at the time. Many young journalists leave the business after a short stay. I could relate to the piece even though I spent decades in the business. In “A Neurotic’s Take on Dating,” she talks about dating a selfish man who put pressure on her to convert to Christianity. It’s one of her few stories with a happy ending; she later met Mr. Right and has been with him for years.
Shari’s book contains eight poems, both rhyming and with free verse, abstract and personal. In “Why I Write,” she states: “And because nothing/Makes sense and we live/In pretense./So I write. I write. I write./ And I fight.”
She deserves a fighting chance.

I don't often read memoirs; however, I couldn't pass up The Condemned. I was intrigued by the unique idea of using past short stories, essays, and poems to weave a cohesive story about its author, Shari Lopatin. The emotions that each piece evoked further draw you into her story and give you a peek into her heart and soul. More than that, each raw emotion portrayed reminds you of a similar time in your past that further connects you to the author's story. We have all felt condemned, depressed, outcast, confused, loved, and full of hope; Shari's memoir captures all of it beautifully.

When you pick the book "Condemned", get ready for a roller coaster ride. In it are characters you can relate with and the author's personal life experiences that will make your blood run hot.

I enjoyed the pacing of the fictional stories and was close to tears at different times while reading the fictional stories as well as the Non-functional parts of the book.

You'll also find some funny highlights, so get ready to open your eyes to see them.

Condemned was worth my time.