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Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite
Someone Else First by Joel T. Elliott is a social drama revolving around one family’s history over the span of several generations. It starts with Douglas McFarlane, a man from a mid-western family in Wisconsin, who is contemplating suicide. Though his thoughts of suicide were triggered by the fact that his wife, Helen, had just walked out of their marriage, his desire to kill himself goes deeper than that. It stems from a general unhappiness about the state of the society he is living in, and his anger and angst towards the '60s generation because he feels that they are responsible for a general breakdown in the morals and laws of society. His thoughts gradually change from suicide to homicide, based on something his Uncle James said to him during the Vietnam War: that the war granted him permission to do the impermissible. The book then delves into Douglas’ family and the past as we learn about what made him the person he is today. Someone Else First takes us on an in-depth journey into one family’s history that includes years of war, peace, intense social upheaval and change, service in the military, and more. It is ultimately a social commentary on an important period in American history.
Joel T. Elliot has written a captivating book with a well thought out and gripping plot. All of the characters in this book are well drawn and believable. The central protagonist, a man of strict principles who feels strongly that the social norms and standards are declining, is portrayed in a way that feels realistic. For me, after reading this book, it was easy to believe that people like him could truly exist and that is a testament to Elliott’s writing skills. I also liked how the book spans generations and shows us how our family and upbringing shape us into who we are. Overall, this is an enthralling read and a page-turner.
