Book Review: Look For Me Under the Rainbow by Bernard Jan
I’ve been following the author of this book, Bernard Jan, for about a year, but I hadn’t read any of his written works previously. When my shiba inu passed away earlier this year, someone reminded me to get a copy of Look for Me Under the Rainbow: A Novella as it would provide some comfort and offer a few ideas about the life of animals outside what we know. I purchased a copy last month and added it to my TBR once I was ready to deal with the concept of a wonderful animal passing away.
Jan offers an emotional tale of beloved mammals of the sea. We love looking at them sitting on icebergs or watching them dive into the frozen ocean playing around with others of their kind, yet we also get angry when people hurt them for the pleasure of a kill or to make money off their bodies. The author’s created a family of amazing and gentle creatures who appeal to our hearts as we see what happens when a sibling is killed or a parent dies. Danny’s mom tells him to look for the rainbow when death approaches whether it be a killer whale, evil poachers, or something even more nasty. She’s a mom to all of us in many ways.
In a short work, Jan has provided an intense connection filled with love, fear, bonds, and touching moments we can easily translate as humans. From oil spills to getting caught between the ice, we understand the struggles of animals who can only do so much to protect themselves or their young. It’s not unlike our own reality as humans, but at least we are rarely hunted down and brutally mutilated just for the fun of it.
Without getting into any gory details or making it uncomfortable, Jan has truly shown a different side of life in the ocean. Death is never easy. Loss is profound. Through wonderful imagery, lyrical text, and strong emotions, he’s got a winner with Danny’s story. I look forward to reading another of his novellas in the future. I’m sure it’ll be another 5 stars from me!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I’m Jay, an author who lives in NYC. My stand-alone novels, Watching Glass Shatter and Father Figure, can be purchased on Amazon as electronic copies or physical copies. The debut book, Academic Curveball, in my new mystery series, Braxton Campus Mysteries will fit those who love cozy mysteries and crime investigations. I read, write, and blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you’ll find the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge –and multiple Readathons. You can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators. Follow my blog with Bloglovin.
September 16, 2018 at 1:16 PM
Great review Jay 💕
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September 16, 2018 at 1:19 PM
Thank you! How have you been? Reading anything awesome lately?
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September 16, 2018 at 1:22 PM
Busy with my High school and it’s hectic 😆
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September 16, 2018 at 1:27 PM
but hopefully fun!
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September 16, 2018 at 1:34 PM
How is your new pup 🐶
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September 16, 2018 at 1:45 PM
He’s great! recuperating from surgery this week (neutering) — which is sad, but he’s a trooper.
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September 16, 2018 at 1:47 PM
Bless him 🐶
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September 16, 2018 at 1:49 PM
Thank you for asking! How’re things by you?
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September 16, 2018 at 2:02 PM
Very good thanks still painting! Trying to master the art!
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September 16, 2018 at 3:58 PM
You’ve done so well with everything I’ve seen!
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September 16, 2018 at 2:07 PM
I do miss Ryder and his stories, I still smile when I remember you giving him his tablet and he projectile vomited it back. Lol. He was one in a million. I would like to attempt to digital paint him. I don’t know if I could do him justice but if you ever want me to have a go send me a photo . elainesblog57@gmail.com x
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September 16, 2018 at 3:59 PM
That is so sweet of you! I’ll definitely give it some thought. I miss him, too. Baxter is great by different and we’ve only had 3 months together so… time!
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September 16, 2018 at 4:33 PM
You knew that you could never replace the original Ryder, Baxter has yet to come into his own. ☺️
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September 16, 2018 at 4:42 PM
true! 🙂 hugs
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September 16, 2018 at 5:00 PM
Hugs back James x
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September 16, 2018 at 2:17 PM
Wow you are reading different books. Amazing review
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September 16, 2018 at 3:59 PM
Thank you! Yes, quite a range lately.
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September 16, 2018 at 9:17 PM
Great review, James . The story sounds wonderful. I am going to read this next. 🙂
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September 16, 2018 at 9:34 PM
I hope you enjoy it. Short and emotional. 🙂
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September 16, 2018 at 9:45 PM
Glad you enjoyed this, Jay. I have to say that animals in books have always been an easy way to make me feel vulnerable, especially when the author successfully builds a bond between the animal and the reader, and then gives the animal an honorable death (i.e. saves a friend by jumping in the way of a speeding bullet). Ouf… Heavy emotional moments!
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September 17, 2018 at 7:31 AM
Hi. I appreciate it. You’ve made a fantastic statement here. The emotional content of our connection with animals is sometimes unmatched.
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September 21, 2018 at 9:37 PM
Great review (as usual) and what a wonderful book!
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September 22, 2018 at 7:42 AM
Thank you, Rae
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