lily's story REVIEWS
"...Lily’s Story is a novel in which a young woman investigates her father’s death, hoping to secure justice for her family. Lily’s search is complemented by a rich overview of the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from its days under Belgian colonization through to its independence. Lily is rendered an embodiment of that history, and her assertion of her mixed identity is palpable throughout the story."
─Foreword Clarion Reviews
"Lily's Story weaves another skillfully crafted tale of filial devotion, unabashed healthy romantic love, business intrigues and manipulation, and crushed but not destroyed youthful idealism. Its fast-paced meta-narrative takes one into the enclaves of the elite and the not-so-elite denizens of the Dominican Republic of Congo and its erstwhile colonizer (Belgium) and the vibrant bilingual city of Montreal.
Truly, Thomas is Canada's new sprig in tis cluster of talented writers. He is radical, bold in writing how the Family of Man, in our current period in history, is taking baby-steps to rectify inequality in the realm of race, gender, employment, and leadership.
My choice for a gripping summer read."
─Ding G
"Lily’s Story takes place primarily in western Africa and the Canadian city of Montreal. The history and culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from its days of colonization and independence inform the activities of the mining business and the character development of individuals within this story. Lily sets out, through journalism, to uncover what was behind her father’s sudden death and in doing so unearths unjust conditions within the mining industry finding herself and those around her immersed in manipulation and danger. Through Lily’s story, the author presents an interesting read bringing awareness to injustices, corruption and exploitation that exist in the world."
─Gordon S
farah's pilot reviews
"In Charles Thomas’s novel of romantic suspense, Farah’s Pilot, a young couple’s love and loyalty are tested by
outside instances of corruption."
─Foreword Clarion Reviews
"The story take place in both Eastern and Western settings highlighting differences in lifestyle, religion, and culture. However, regardless of these contrasts, the characters and events demonstrate universal, innate human traits - both goodness and the frailties - that surpass time making us all one Global Citizen….family values/political agendas; moral good/corruption; love/fear; conviction/greed; happiness/power…. To show this, the author writes about the main character with a strong moral compass. His idealism (and some naïveté) unexpectedly leads him down a desperate, dark, dangerous hole because of his commitment to do what is “right”, shrugging off temptations for self-gain along his path. An interesting read as the events unfold to see how the chips fall for the various characters, and to discover if a key Universal Law will be the ultimate influence on the outcome - Truth Prevails."
─Cory N
"When reading this novel you escape into a world unknown to most of us. The Eastern culture of religious and family obligations exist along with wealth, privilege and power. The characters are well described and some open our eyes to differences that exist between the Western and Eastern cultures and societal norms. Quite an interesting read!"
─Kim H
"I felt like I was going back in time reading Farah's Pilot, a story set from a traditional and culturally different perspective. This story explores the Malaysian culture through the courtship of two young people, but the real eye-opening is about the Government corruption that Xavier finds himself in the middle of. The story intensifies in the courtroom where Xavier's life is in jeopardy for making moral choices he felt were in service to his conscience. With sadness, Xavier is caught up in a corruption that is way over his head. A quick read. A story from another part of the world. I suggest reading and talking about it."
─Susan L
"Thomas' agile and engrossing narrative skill delves into the deep unspoken recesses of the human mind and physical desires in this introductory novel.
A recent voice in Canadian literary fiction has surfaced that brings something radical and new that corresponds to the difficulties in adjusting to still-enigmatic mindsets in an unchanging multicultural world despite its claim to modernity.
Definitely a budding new talent in the Canadian literary scene."
─Ding G