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The Best Thing About Bennett

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Endearing and inspirational contemporary fiction. I would give this book more than five stars if I could!

The story begins with Bennett (Bennie) Hall at midlife when her personal sense of self and view of the world in general was bleak. She had just been let go from her job of 27 years, returning to a house that never felt like home. As Bennett attempted to brighten her life, literally and figuratively, she experienced a transformation, partly from circumstance, mostly from her own longing for human connection.


Bennett found the inner strength to put closure on her lonely upbringing and the love that never materialized. But she continued to succumb to the inner voice of negativity. Hesitant at first, Bennett formed friendships and discovered the self who had been suppressed by the darkness of her past. She surrounded herself with people who gave her every reason to shine but was blind to the light within herself.


Irene Wittig does an outstanding job of character building, enabling you to find inspiration from a character's growth and enlightenment. My favorite quote of the book:

Sometimes a tree needs to fall to make room for the sun to shine in.


I won't ruin the ending for you, but suffice to say that it was perfect. The author's technique of taking the reader directly from anticipation for what is to be to post-event spares you the mundane details without depriving you of buoyancy and cheer.


Themes include love, friendship and global travel. What I found most endearing and inspirational is the deep respect and joyous value for senescence and diversity. I recommend the book to anyone who perceives middle age as the beginning of the end. This story illustrates that your spirit of life is your vantage point, at any age.

Reviewed by

Gail has a project management background and specializes in writing for a corporate audience. For reading pleasure, favorite genres include contemporary fiction, memoir, novels, legal and medical thrillers, essays and short stories.

About the author

My life's experiences inspired my historical novel ALL THAT LINGERS, Uganda scenes in THE BEST THING ABOUT BENNETT, my SHORT TALES AND RUMINATIONS, CREATIVE PAINTING ON EVERYDAY CERAMICS, AN AMUSING ALPHABET and LET'S PLAY SEE YOU LATER, ALLIGATOR for children, and my uncle's story ALMOST HOME. view profile

Published on May 14, 2021

80000 words

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Reviewed by