Title: Winston Sapphire
Author: Wilbur Shapiro
Publisher: Grovehouse Press
ISBN: 979-8985015621
Pages: 126
Genre: Fiction / Political
Reviewed by: Philip Zozzaro

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Jason Sapphire is a successful entrepreneur planning to pass down his business to his sons, Winston and Jeremy. Winston is currently in High School where he excels at anything to which he applies himself. Jason views the handing down of the business to the boys as a birthright. However, Winston wants to study for a career in Journalism. He pursues his goal, contrary to his Father’s wishes, Jason vows not to support Winston’s endeavors. Winston applies to State College, gains a half scholarship and employment to work off the remaining tuition. Winston’s resolve to fulfill his dreams is fierce.

A college degree in journalism is no easy feat, as the course load is extensive. The work would prove daunting without the rigors of juggling a job as well. Winston possesses a stick-to-itiveness that pushes him towards the challenge, never away. His papers are praised by his professors as they illustrate the shortfalls of modern journalism. He views the current news as being slanted, biased or subject to the editorial whims of the newspaper owners. Winston soon receives an editor job with the school paper, being depended on to resuscitate the readership. Winston wants to reformat the paper, appealing to a broad base of the student body by tackling important issues.

Winston’s time in college is marred by the tragic loss of a fiancé to a horrible accident. Winston copes with the grief by throwing himself further into his work. He receives a job at a reputable newspaper, where he begins to tackle the sacred cows of the radical left. His rhetoric proves to be incendiary, sending his ideological enemies into fits of rage and hellbent on Winston’s destruction. Winston is staunch in his views against socialism and the violence of extremist groups such as Antifa. As the danger rises, Winston and his assistant must flee the state. However, despite the threats on his life, Winston perseveres in his work, which has taken on almost a missionary feel.

Winston Sapphire is a pithy story about a young man who refuses to hide who he is or what he wants in life. The call to write and put his thoughts for all to see propels Winston to forsake his inheritance and risk alienating many in the process. Winston is unique in his resolve to remain true to himself. The story succeeds in making this clear throughout the story. However, the story falls short in character and backstory development as the interactions between Winston and others often feels cut short. The resolutions to conflict are too quickly ended. Winston Sapphire holds appeal for those who enjoy a good coming of age story as well as those who prefer a more conservative bent in their literature.