Title: The December Issue
Author: J. Shep
Publisher: CHRISTOPHER WHISPERINGS
ISBN: 979-8-9884643-0-3
Pages: 190
Genre: Journalistic Fiction
Reviewed by: Ephantus M.
Pacific Book Review
“The smarter the journalists are, the better off society is.” — Warren Buffet
The December Issue is a highly ambitious novel written by J. Shep. Here, Shep thrusts readers into the world of Paul, a successful connoisseur as a columnist who holds on to his truth, beliefs, and opinion even as his long-serving career hangs in the balance. Paul’s monthly column, The Current Front, has been hilariously candid and engaging, making it tremendously popular amongst newspaper readers. However, things suddenly take a downhill path when the November Issue is released and receives a highly disapproving reception and a shocking response from different fronts due to his unflinching sentiments about American society.
For Paul, his forty-five-year journalistic career hangs in the balance as the management tries to come to terms with the numerous emails they consequently receive on the firm’s desk regarding the column. The veteran columnist is consequently faced with a hard decision of making a public apology to appease his fans but things take an unlikely turn when the previously frowned upon November Issue begins to make more sales just before he prepares to modify the December Issue. This leaves Paul in disbelief as he tries to comprehend whether the tragic accident he survived played a part in this unexpected shift.
Despite the quickening momentum of nearly everything in our lives, The December Issue aptly fixes us in place and enlivens our brains. The writer introduces readers to a fresh narrative whose scale, ambition, and pathos elevate the text above many books of its genre. His matter-of-fact prose and deft portrayal of his fictional characters ring true throughout the reading. As with everything else in the novel, Shep offers a sharply- observed take on newsroom life. Sizeable amounts of dialogue, an intriguing story arc, a protagonist that’s easy to root for, and critical thinking make up this judicious work.
Although new-fangled, the protagonist’s ideas and opinions in his commentaries demonstrate the need for companies to adopt diversity, creativity, and objective analysis of social issues. The author explores complex social issues in ways which are less confrontational and keen readers will draw impressive takeaways across the 295+ pages. Altogether, J. Shep has written a sprawling imperative story. Anyone who has worked in any kind of corporate environment will find much that is familiar in his polished book, The December Issue.
