“Burn This City To the Ground” by N. Daniel
Thoughts from BPonGreen–I read a lot of books. A LOT and I love it! Different genres, different writing styles, US authors, and authors from different countries. I like the different books that I read for many reasons. I feel like I go on many adventures through the books. I was contacted recently by N. Daniel, Author, to see if I would read and review his newest book, Burn This City To the Ground. I was immediately drawn in by the brief overview he gave me. I am so glad I read it-and I hope N. Daniel writes more books. I’m a fan, and I think you will be, too.
Burn This City To the Ground explores a platonic patient/caregiver relationship that over time becomes toxic. Addiction, mental health, physical health, Covid, and the devastating death of George Floyd all play a role in this relationship that changes quickly. As I read, I felt as though I was an observer in the room, as situations were described. Burn This City To the Ground is a five-star book that will be high on my list of favorites.
“The book has touched my heart. I will not be able to forget it. Burn This City To the Ground by N. Daniel is a book we NEED to be talking about.” -Books and Pens on Green Gables
(This book review contains an affiliate link. This means if you purchase using the link, I may earn a small commission from your purchase, but at no extra cost to you. Thank you.)
The book-Burn This City To the Ground by N. Daniel is set in Minneapolis and Duluth, MN. As a Minnesotan and visiting both towns often, I felt even more drawn to the book. As the book begins, the main character, Daniel, has lived through his own personal difficulties with mental health and has completed a months-long mental health civil commitment. Some time has passed, he is in counseling, and is working as a caregiver.
Daniel meets Sam at one of the caregiver jobs he is assigned to. Sam is quadriplegic, young, sarcastic, angry, and dealing with health issues that are hard to manage. She and Daniel become friends, and when a change is needed for Sam, they move together to Minneapolis as caregiver and patient.
Daniel worries about Sam constantly, not only about her health condition but also about outside people and their influences on her. He does his best to keep her safe, even when it means dealing with her anger. When Daniel gets a devastating diagnosis, he worries how Sam’s care will be affected and how he can protect his own mental health from her outbursts.
As months go by and routines are settling in, Daniel finds peace in helping at a Homeless Shelter in Minneapolis. He doesn’t realize until months later the comfort George Floyd’s quiet presence gave to him and others at the shelter, where Floyd worked as a Security Guard.
Then, everything changes for Daniel and Sam. Just as Sam is given new freedom, Covid strikes. Then, Minneapolis and the world watched the murder of George Floyd. Sam and Daniel’s patient/caregiver relationship becomes toxic.
Daniel has to make a hard decision. Can he continue to work with Sam or does he choose himself and the new life he has found?
I appreciate that N. Daniel contacted me for an honest review of this fabulous book, Burn This City To the Ground !
N. Daniel’s bio, from his website:
N. Daniel works as a medical caregiver in the greater Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metropolitan area. His debut writing effort, “Corners Untouched by Madness: A Personal Journey of Overcoming Mental Illness,” has enjoyed modest success in certain writing circles. He is anticipating the release of its sequel, “Burn This City to the Ground”, due to be published December 7, 2020. The Author lives with his wife and two dogs just outside of downtown Minneapolis.
E-Mail: author@ndaniel.us
Twitter/Instagram ID: MyUnsafePlace
Facebook: NDanielAuthor
Author N. Daniel with his wife
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