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Following in the pattern of the technological age, the barrage of social media is a cacophony of tweets and beeps, demanding the attention of news aggregators who are vying for the most sensational news, especially in a general election. While campaign journalists Taylor Solomon and Cait Ellis report on their respective Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, news not only turns ugly with the political opponents, but also Cait unwittingly finds herself in the crossfire.
Political commentator and author David Paul Kuhn pens a story that sadly reflects the "new normal" in news reporting, especially in the political arena. Divided into three parts, Kuhn's third person narrative interweaves a theme of calm amidst a terrifying storm. Kuhn deftly paints the crazed world of reporting and what it's like being in the political spotlight by creating a literary canvas filled with disjointed words, phrases, and sentences. Amid the political backbiting and tabloid-like news, Kuhn zeroes in on his main characters, Taylor and Cait, who fall in love. They also begin to question where they fit into the crazed world of reporting. Once again Kuhn uses literary imagery, but this time to capture tranquility as Taylor and Cait shut their phones so they can be alone, reminisce on happier times of the past, and make references to quotes from the works of various literary giants (i.e. Hemmingway, Fitzgerald, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Robert Frost).
Aside from the imagery, Kuhn does a stellar job in cast development, especially with the money-and-fame-driven characters, such as Luke Brennen. Kuhn also keeps his debut novel fluid by alternating character scenes throughout each chapter and throwing in unexpected twists and turns along the way. What Makes It Worthy is indeed riveting and eye opening from beginning to end.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review