Yesterday's Tomorrow - a review

[Tracy Krauss]

Gripping, heart wrenching, poignant, fast paced, tender, descriptive … these are all adjectives that aptly describe Catharine West’s debut novel Yesterday’s Tomorrow. It’s the story of Kristin Taylor, a young reporter out to prove herself by going into the field during the Vietnam War. In the midst of the horror and carnage she finds out what it means to be a friend, a lover, a Christian - a human being. This unfortunate era in US history is well researched yet never pedantic. Descriptive passages are wonderfully full and alive yet never get in the way of the story. West has masterfully juxtaposed contrasting elements to create a unique balance that keeps the story vibrant. Raw emotional scenes mix with quiet reflective moments. Passion spills over while the reality of everyday life goes on. The blood and carnage of senseless killing comes alongside the message of hope. I was hooked after Chapter One. I couldn’t put it down by Chapter Four. What at first seemed slightly cliché (girl meets arrogant hunk and falls in love despite herself) turned into a complex journey that was anything but typical. I found myself reliving many of the scenes in my mind after turning the final page – the mark, in my mind, of a book worth reading. Yesterday’s Tomorrow receives a five star rating in my mind.