"Sonny once dreamed of becoming a big star, a singer or a composer - anything that could make him a household name in the music industry. However, he failed. So, he got married and after a few years gave it a try once more. Now he is wasted and at fifty years old he earns a living by singing at different events across the United States."
Dream Factory by Cosmin Swanyck
book review by Wendy Strain
Desperately seeking some semblance of success in any aspect of his life, Sonny Dollar is a weak man driven by indecision and competing desires. It is impossible for him to ignore the calling of his childhood dreams even though he is fully aware of his own lack of talent. At fifty, it is difficult, if not impossible, for him to change professions. At the same time, he wants to be a good father to his growing daughter, a young woman determined to follow her father into show business and a life he fears will turn out to be all too much like his own. He must also battle his alcoholic ex-wife who is determined to take this same daughter to France and never return. Struggling to make it in New York, Sonny knows if his daughter goes to France he will never see his little princess again.
The premise of the story sounds deeply moving and potentially transformative. The characters have clearly been well-considered, and the story has enough sub-plots and detail to make it interesting. However, it is a story told rather than shown. At times, it skips to other characters or events with little or no explanation, creating confusion and losing some of its effectiveness. Swanyck has real skill in imagining a world full of imperfect, real-life characters. Now the story needs to give them breath to expand them into something brilliant.