Book Review--The Noticer: Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective by Andy Andrews

The Noticer: Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective. by Andy Andrews

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Noticer, by Andy Andrews is part parable, part motivational speech. The main character, Jones ("Just Jones, no Mr.") is a mysterious old man who shows up in the lives of people when he is needed most to dispense his wisdom geared specifically to fit each individual's crisis, yet timeless and generalizable to everyone. 

The character Jones is a literary messiah figure, a symbol for God.  He is racially ambiguous but with unforgettably clear blue eyes, a device often used in cinematography when representing Jesus or Mary. Called "Jones" by Anglos, he is called "Garcia" by Hispanics and "Chen" by the Chinese. His lesson of perspective must be learned and shared even when he is not there.

Although there is much wisdom in this book, I admit to being a bit envious of this town with their own divine adviser who pops in and out of their lives exactly when needed.  Too, I found it difficult, at times, to decide how much the reader was meant to trust the narrator's voice.  Once the story was finished, I realized the author's intent.  But at the time, I wondered at the credibility of the insistence that the story was "true".  

Nevertheless, this book is moving and thought-provoking. Each person's life he touches, has something to teach and much time can be spent with each lesson learned. It is one of those books that will move in and out of one's consciousness long after it is finished--much like Jones.