| Reviews for Chapter 32 (101-200)
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101 review is by Priyab468 on 5/11/20 - (Trinidad and Tobago)
Set in the backdrop of the 70’s, The Embryo Man tells the secret love story of Charles and Harmony.
Mr. Pendelton is our adult version of Lemony Snicket, as he warns
us from the beginning about the unfortunate events in this tragic tale.
But even his dire warnings could not stop me from devouring this book.
In terms of the writing, there were a few grammatical issues, but they were
few and far between. What I liked about Charlie, is that though he is young,
there is such maturity to him. Charlie teaches us so much, and I respect him
greatly for this. The theme, though controversial, held strong throughout.
But at the end of it all, to me, what determines a good book, are three simple questions.
Did I enjoy it?
Yes.
Would I read it again?
Yes.
Would I recommend it to someone?
Hell yes.
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102 review is by Vanishree on 5/13/20 - (Uttar Pradesh, India)
I was told that this book was unlike any other.
I was naturally a little uncertain because there wasn’t much that could surprise me,
having read so many works from the genre. However, it did surprise me because it
was very unlike what I had previously read. The book was more than just reading
something, it was something you felt and experienced.
The way Harmony is written made me think about the love I have and the pain hit
me with the thought of being without the one I love. The emotions were so raw that
it made me feel, love, smile, cry, laugh and cherish the love I have.
It makes me feel almost stupid for being sceptical about the book. I know it might
sound repetitive but its the truth; the book made me cherish the one I love because
just the thought of experiencing that pain makes me want to do everything in my limits
and beyond to not let that happen. I must say that their story is a story worth knowing.
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103 review is by Priyaarg on 5/14/20 - (Sri Lanka)
Charles Pendelton’s “The Embryo Man” is not your average kind of love story.
It is intricate, unconventional and emotional to the core. It’s a bittersweet story
of a young boy falling in love with a teenage girl. As I started reading the novel’s
“Gratissimum”, I was worried that it would be too controversial for my liking, since
the author warns that it could be. However, as every reader, I was swallowed up
by the roller coaster that is “The Embryo Man”. The entire story flows with a poetic
structure of writing, which is heart-warming, unique and romantic. In this era
of unstable relationships and separations, this story stands proud and tall in
depicting the purest form of love that we could only ever read about.
The story has little treats of poetic lines for whimsical readers such as myself.
It almost provides a Shakespearean touch to it. “Like pages to an archaic novel
no one will ever read for, the wind has blown them away; I rush onward” (pg. 107).
The author does not hide the fact that the protagonist of this story is young; it rather is
the crucial element of the novel. He reveals the fact in almost every chapter of his story.
“I came to the conclusion that women were emotional creatures, and a man had to be able
to think on their level. Of course, that is impossible for any man, let alone a child struggling
to understand the fundamentals of life” (Chapter 4, p.g.112).
However, the boy is exceptional and mature for his age. “Any other kid might not have
noticed, but I wasn’t your average kid” (Chapter 4, p.g.115), and this fact is the theme of
this story. He is a man in a boy’s body. Society’s expectations aside, this is the reason he
feels detached from everything and anything that is suitable for his age. He struggles to
adjust with both aspects of his personality. At one point in the story, he says “I feel like
an embryo man”. This sets him apart, alone.
Ultimately, this is the factor which will tip his world upside down:
“to be a man before you can be a boy will ultimately destroy your soul” (pg. 318).
They say, where love goes first, the madness follows.
Of course, the dreams and certain scenes in the “mushroom experience” is far-fetching,
however, we are dragged right into the middle of it. What’s special about this story is
that, in most clichéd novels, either the older person leaves/ cheats the younger one;
or one grows mature and wants to explore the world, however, all these nonsense
are not included in this story.
This is a story of true love between two pure souls, regardless of age, ethnicity or religion.
After finishing this novel, I felt a sense of loss, so deep that I was staring at space for a
long time. I felt every emotion that Charles did: the happiness; the anger; the fear; and
finally the heart-wrenching anguish, when he says “The most ironic part of it all is that
once I was terrified of death. . .Now I'm terrified of life” (pg. 319).
To have experienced love this deep, only to lose it, and to have nobody else who could
understand the level/ kind of emotion that was shared between two people, is the saddest part.
Very rarely do I share personal messages sent to me, but this
one in particular holds a very special place in my heart. . .
You've destroyed me :( :( :(. That was soooo unique!!! I couldn't stop crying.
To have experienced love like that, and to have lost it, I can't imagine the pain
that your character (or you?) would be going through. As a novelist, you've done
a great job! Because as a reader, (a romance lover, if I could say so myself),
you've completely turned my past few days upside down. And that, my friend,
is what makes a novel a successful one. I will send you my review in a while.
I need rest, from all that crying. and chocolates, from all that sadness.
Rest assured, you've done a great job! with that book of yours.
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Rated 5-Stars)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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104 review is by Perbat on 5/17/20 - (Pakistan)
Review of ‘The Embryo Man’ by Chas Pen
‘Take what I've given you, my darling, and give it in time to someone new.
Make her your world. The world I can no longer give you.’ -Harmony
This is the summary of the whole novel, as controversial as it may seem.
These words hit you in the deepest core.
The storyline is intriguing, though it may contradict with the era it’s portrayed
in. The author’s feelings have been taken from the depths of his heart and
portrayed on the canvas of these sheets. The writing style is commendable
and the vividness of the dreams relate to the story. Overwhelming emotions
rendered, grasping the reader’s emotional thought.
The character arcs of Charles reflect immense emotional evolving.
Harmony’s character shifted from cynicism to embracing the new relation to
her ill fate or destiny as many may call it. The author’s pain and expressions
are poignant. I may not have been comfortable with how the story began,
but the choice of words, metaphors may have struck a chord.
I would rate it a 4 star!
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105 review is by Sereni_tea on 5/26/20 - (Guwahati, India)
It's tough to review a story without a hint of spoiler but I would try my best.
As the story begins to unwind itself with the words of the writer, as a reader you
might feel a dilemma. But eventually you would get in the shoes of the writer.
The epigraph and gratissimum pave a way for the reader to the storyline without
revealing much but comforting the readers before jumping into one of the "not
so typical" love story one has ever read.
The love story could be termed as a controversial one though, but as you walk with
the writer through the story, you would be able to feel the love and respect with which
the whole story has been narrated. Every feeling that the protagonist of the story might
have felt through the entire storyline has been expressed by the writer beautifully and
aptly with his arrangements of words. Anyone who has felt a love larger than his life
can understand the position of the protagonist in the most judicable situations too.
Some of the dream sequences which have been mentioned in the story are too
descriptive at times but again, it would be worth mentioning that those dreams make
us, as readers, be more aware of the stand of the protagonist towards his beloved.
Regarding the sexual and erotic moments, those have been explained by the
writer in a very tasteful way, not in anyway filthy or disrespectful. I would
probably mark those moments as the "conjunction of lust and love".
It could be felt that the writer has opened up his heart towards his audience being
vulnerable with the risk of being judged. As a reader you would feel for the writer despite
of the fact that his story could be termed as one of the most controversial love story.
One should definitely give this book a read to experience the atypical love story
delivering a perfect feel of love, respect and belongingness which dodged the
accepted ideas of time, age and social norms.
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106 review is by Antimortem on 5/26/20 - (Mumbai, India)
Few books make one set it down, only to grip their thoughts together.
The Embryo Man is brilliantly written with a great literary sense and
a greater knowledge of human complexity. It takes only the first chapter
to drown you in the protagonist’s life and become him, and it takes
effort to break the surface again once the book ends.
While the prospect of a relationship between a nineteen-year old and a
minor is uneasy (and illegal), is also subject to a nuanced sense of human
perception. This book gets one thing right: it displays the varieties of the
subtleties of mind, and provides a life-like depth to the characters.
They are not to be judged for they do not try to appeal to the reader’s
sense of righteousness. The characters are to be observed and
unraveled with all their flaws, and the book is to be experienced.
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107 review is by Solange on 5/26/20 - (Cameroon)
Reading the Epigraph and Gratissimum of this novel I could not help but want to
dive more in to find out what was in store for the young author and the mystery girl
that moved in next door. Yes I know it might seem like “the Girl next Door” is a little
bit cliché, but it was refreshing to see as I dived more into the book that this was far
from being your classic and cliché type of novel where boy meets girl, they fall in love
and end up happily ever after. The novel goes more into a controversial type of ending
with the author mostly recounting what he experiences with his lover in his dreams.
It is clear to see from the author’s words that he is coming from a place of honesty and
little bit of “sadness” where he is still in the darkness of how the story between himself
and his mystery girl “Harmony” ended. Also, the novel goes into a lot of in-depth about
their relationship (more than sexual but spiritual connection) and I like the fact that this
was not meant to be a published novel but just journals the author collected for himself,
makes it all the more authentic and unique. The novel takes you on a journey (emotional
rollercoaster) rather than to a quick and fast destination something I both like and dislike
at the same time. If you have a taste of the “out of the ordinary”, this book is for you.
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108 review is by Nehask99 on 5/28/20 - (Pakistan)
The Embryo Man is not your typical love story. It explores a forbidden land,
land beyond mainstream concepts and ideas. It takes great courage to put
forth an account of ones life which does not conform with our traditionalism
but this is the beauty of literature; it is endless.
Charles Pendleton exposes his vulnerability is intricately woven sentences
that enable the reader to feel like a part of the entire setting.
To be very honest, I was very disturbed in the beginning but as the story proceeded,
there was more and more to look forward to. The turn of events are enough to keep
the reader hooked because there is always something interesting churning up.
To think that someone turned a controversial topic into a piece of art in itself is laudable.
The abundance of emotions carefully curated by the author
enable the reader to relate and to some extent, explore.
An overall good read that will leave your head reeling.
Harmony is lucky because through the author, she still lives
among everyone who dares to venture through this literary piece.
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109 review is by Jawaria on 5/28/20 - (Pakistan)
The Embryo man without any doubt reflects the intelligentsia of the writer who has
outdone himself in innovating a narrative that could easily have been a simple love story.
The epic tale of two lovers separated by the constraints of years could have been a
book read once an tossed away but the embryo man touches on the issue of a boy’s
infatuation turning into an obsession with giving us a new perspective that love at a
young age can be true contrary to commonly held belief. Harmony was aged, way
more old than young Charles who was only six however the narrative breaks the
stereotype that when it comes to true love age is a mere number.
The writer Charles Pendleton is one of the very few writers who gave direction to his
readers allowing them to see what he saw in this story. It almost reminded me of when
Henry Fielding wrote a preface to his famous Joseph Andrews. While reading this novel
many questions arose in my head like where is he going with the story, why are some parts
strangely bold? But every time these questions came to me I was reminded of the author’s
notes that this story was not written to be read by the world. The gratissimum truly describes
the obsession that the writer had for it describes Harmony as a heavenly being.
The story gets disturbing when it comes to the sexual parts because believe it or not unconventional
does not mean writing about something illegal in a sugarcoated manner and then labelling it as a novelty
in literature. To readers it still would remain difficult to digest because they are the same group of society.
It somehow shows psychological problems on part of both Harmony and Charles. Even though
Harmony was old she acted out on her strong feelings for Charles exhibiting that love has no
boundaries but at the same time the fact cannot be denied that what she did scarred Charles.
The childhood trauma has been reflected in Charles’s behavior when he goes through and rewrites his
journals. His obsession appears scary but at the same time very thrilling. What Harmony did shows her
in a negative light for she had to be more responsible if I am to talk from the perspective of the society.
But if I am to see things as a human I only see two humans
so in love with each other that they are willing to risk everything.
Pendleton has fulfilled his promise of an unconventional tour of the 70s and his description of scenes and
characters also reflect that he is at epitome of his observational diction however one might wonder why could
it not be two adults or two children in love? That would have brought in more readership for the conventional is
cherished by the society. I cannot help but think why would a writer with such fantastic approach towards literature
wishes not to write any further than this story. For if he wishes he can pocket the attention of many avid readers.
Lastly I would like to say that this is a very brave writer who has truly bared his soul for the world to see.
Most basic emotions of a human maybe repressed by the superego but it cannot be denied.
Society may frown upon it but deep down we all know that love cannot be contained so a
big thanks to Charles Pendleton for showing us the hard truth.
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110 review is by Rushda_sheikh1 on 6/9/20 - (Karachi, Pakistan)
The plot is not limited to home drawing rooms only.
I enjoyed every scene of it. The places and scenarios.
Harmony's character delineation and the way author
portrayed her physical existence stunned me.
I was lost in this epic.
Romance was balanced and tragedy upright.
I love romantic novels but this story was
more than romance. It was life I think.
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111 review is by Toobaghouri on 6/11/20 - (Pakistan)
As a bookworm, I’ve read a lot of books from fiction to non-fiction but this book
has its own uniqueness since I haven’t read this kind of book. I was so shocked
at first knowing that I would be reading a story about a young boy will fall in love
with grown woman. This book is a challenge for me as it narrates a love story
between a kid and a grown woman, which brings me a whole new perspective
that love also can happen even in such young age.
As we all should know, reading and enjoying a book is largely about interpretation.
People are not the same and we all view things differently; one individual might see
a relationship in a book as "passionate" while another could see it as "damaging".
When characters make bad decisions, some will view it as stupidity and others
will view it as an accurate representation of humanity's imperfections.
Not only that, but time often changes the way one person sees things.
A child does not usually have the same outlook on life and relationships
that someone of twenty does and neither of them have the same outlook as
someone of fifty does. Charles has written a brilliant and disturbing novel.
I found it surprisingly easy to read and became absorbed quickly.
On a technical level, this deserves 4 stars
the language, the wit, the world play!
I don't think I've ever read anything like this before.
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112 review is by Anushaa_ on 6/12/20 - (Pakistan)
I have honestly run short of words to describe how beautiful this journey was.
What a raw, marvelous, and candid depiction of what love really is.
What a rollercoaster ride full of emotions this book takes you to -
you’d be bawling your eyes out in one moment, and feeling all giddy
in the other. The plot is decent and unembellished, making it even more
relatable and engaging because the truth is harsh, and sometimes
contains so much romance than any made-up story could ever.
The epigraph had immediately caught my attention and I couldn’t help myself
but literally stay up all night just to finish this book. Sure, it’s unorthodox, but
that is exactly what makes this story unique and beautiful in its own way.
The way this writer expresses his thoughts during the intimate scenes,
I was honestly overwhelmed while reading them myself. The way
Harmony changed his life - I’ve always longed for a partner like
that, and I loved to imagine one while reading this story.
The Embryo Man is an embodiment of perfect literature,
something that I wouldn’t mind reading over and over again.
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113 review is by Candygirl384 on 6/16/20 - (India)
As an Indian, I would firstly love to appreciate the way Charles
describes the Indian culture in his novel ‘The Embryo Man’ .
The description of certain food items or attire whilst using the Indian vocabulary was
really impressive to me. I could literally feel every emotion he had gone through, be
it blissful romantic or traumatic despair, while I read. The way he structured instances
and events with his beloved made me anticipate for more of what’s to come for the
couple but sadly, sometimes not all stories have an happy ending.
The novel did a really good job in depicting how true love need not be the stereotyped ones.
As a man, to stand by his feelings and emotions against all odds since the day he saw her
is most powerful form of love to be honest. The journey of how their love blossomed did give
me hopes on a better end. Also reciprocation of his love seemed to have played out very well.
Reading this book definitely changed my perspectives on how love and relationships change
and how if we really want it we do all that we can to keep it safe. Forbidding feelings really
doesn’t lead us a better place but expressing them while we still have the chance does.
I highly recommend Charles’ novel to allow yourself to expand your view on live, love
and cultural bounds we all secretly try to suppress. The struggles/bliss the couple faces
is only felt for them to cherish to which I’ve completely felt while I read.
“The Embryo Man” deserves recognition for the masterpiece it is.
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114 review is by Manalfazil on 6/16/20 - (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
The Embryo Man is an unusual novel which clearly states that love hasn't known
any boundaries. It is not an ordinary love story which you can read any day sitting
on your lazy couch as it takes you out of your comfort zone and leaves you uneasy
to breath at various occasions.
Charles Pendelton have kept his word that this isn’t a story we have read so far.
His daring attempt to bring out a controversial escapade of his life with such subtlety
deserves huge round of applause. The author takes us to the 70's with every detailing
which makes this novel a perfect time traveller. This is the real life story of Charlie and
Harmony, a girl of Indian descent, who both struggled with the odds of their love.
This is a strong concoction of raw emotions which blends in innocence,
jealousy, romance, love and I can’t think of better words to explain it.
Let’s just say that it’s exotic as a strong Turkish coffee.
Unfortunately Charlie and Harmony doesn't have a happily ever after like fairy tales,
which makes us join with Charlie in his sorrow. In this novel the author have made a
successful attempt in bringing in a new element "Gratissimum" instead of usual prologues
and prefaces. The only drawback that I found was it is a little bit too lengthy that sometimes
one might lose tracks while reading. A little more grip to it would've solved this issue.
But I am not here to judge because as he mentioned in the very beginning this was written
for the author first before it was for the audience. And I must say Harmony was given justice
for her short life, a girl who deserved to live her life to fullest and to be loved to eternity.
At the end the author leaves us thinking about how cruel life can get.
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115 review is by Najifa_ahona on 6/16/20 - (Bangladesh)
To be honest, I am not a LOVE STORY type of person.
Every love story seems to be the same to me. Before I started reading
this book, I was almost sure, this was no different. But after I read the
Gratissimum , I was intrigued to give this book a read.
Every successful story has one thing in common, INCREDIBLE STORY TELLING.
And I think CHARLES PENDELTON has done a spectacular job in it. The author's
use of words with delicacy and impactful expression of human emotions is really
praiseworthy.
This book is a flash back of the writer's own life that had a remarkable impact
on his life. A 6 year old young boy who fell in love with a mature teen age girl
named Harmony. Charles's desperate attempt to show how much he loved
Harmony was simply pure ,heart touching and adorable. At such a young age,
he wrote a journal called " THE HARMONY'S JOURNAL " where he noted his
observations of life in the 1970's.
As his parents were having an unhappy marriage ,his mental state was very vulnerable.
The very thought of harmony kept him occupied in hard times like that.
How a young child builds up a beautiful relationship with a mature teen age girl, who
had a bad experience before , and slowly taking up space in her heart is very adorable.
Through some unexpected events, Charles's fear of losing Harmony was so strong that
it haunted him in his dreams . The unfortunate event where Harmony dies and Charles's
remorseful regret brought tears in my eyes. What added to the tragedy is his incapability
to bade a proper good bye to his beloved angel.
Despite slight mistakes in spelling; where the author referred to God as he rather than He
and a little monotony in some part of the novel, this book is a good read for quarantine times.
The author's attempt to rediscover his long gone past to show his gratitude and respect to his
childhood sweetheart in order to keep her memories as fresh as it can get, is truly amazing.
This book inspires you to think beyond the norms and indulge in the purest form of human
emotions. It takes you out of the black and white world and introduces you to the realm of
grey, where unpredictable beauty meets indubitable feelings.
I don't want to spoil this incredible book for you, so I will draw the line of my review right here.
Overall,as a non-romantic reader, I really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend you guys to
give this book a try, I guarantee, you won't regret whatsoever.
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116 review is by Shankeetha on 6/16/20 - (Gainsborough, UK)
This is a very unique love story based on real life events.
It draws you in from the beginning and is a very intriguing read.
It makes you questions things and challenges your way of thinking
as it is based on a young boy and a lady who is older than him.
It is written well, easy to read and the emotions are felt through
the words. It is not your typical love story and if you are willing to
read this with open mind, you will definitely love it as it is based on
real life events and takes you out of your comfort zone for sure.
Worth the read!
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117 review is by Sifat01nawshin on 7/10/20 - (Bangladesh)
If you believe
LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES
The Embryo Man is the book for you
In ‘The Embryo Man’ writer and narrator Charles Pendelton has captured an event of his
past when he met a beautiful woman at a very young age and fell in love. It’s avant-garde,
it’s controversial and it’s tragic.
The story is well paced and pleasantly simplistic. It speaks to the inner writer in all of us and
inspires us to preserve our memories in personal journals and look back at them one day as our
narrator has done and has taken us along with him. The book only has a handful of characters
and no other mentionable side story. This keeps the entire focus on the main plot and considering
the unique nature of it, just another side story might be unfitting. We know from the very beginning
what becomes of the characters and reminded of that throughout the book.
This is a perfect narrative device for a story such as this. A writer may consider shocking the reader
with a tragic ending but it runs the risk of coming off as a deux ex machina, as if the writer wanted to
anyhow manage a dramatic ending to a story that was for the most part simplistic. The main event
took place in the glorious era of the 70s. The book reminisced just enough about the technology-free
simpler times. We get a little hint of the political situation and the rebellious nature of 70s progressive
youth reflected through the young adult heroine of the story, Harmony. One of the things that sticked
with me after closing the book is Harmony’s monologue where she expressed her strong disappointment
towards grown men and their lack of understanding of woman and love and how true it is for many men
even in today's generation contrary to what I feel the character Harmony would expect from the much
progressed society in 2020.
The novel chose to tell an intimate love story between two people who are not accepted as lovers
in modern society. It doesn’t just question the society’s moral standards, it fully disagrees with them.
If readers are looking for relatable characters, this book may not provide that for many. Young Charles
is a boy trying to fit in a men’s shoe but in this story that’s not always pleasing. Then there’s Harmony.
Her independent spirit is inspiring and how she wants to be treated respectfully by her male counterparts
is agreeable but the choices she made are not going to be satisfying to many readers.
This is a story about love, yes. But whether it will strike as
romantic or concerning, depends very much on the reader.
However there’s a difference between controversial and problematic. The reason the book is not the later
one is because the characters speak their own truth without imposing their beliefs on others. It’s a story
about two characters happen to be such people who don’t share the same moral ground as the society.
And should a piece of art confine itself only to what is universally accepted ? I think not.
In the era of cancel culture this book stands out as a bold approach in literature.
If you are dismayed by unconventional love, this is not the story for you. To the rest
I’d say, in order to find bold and challenging stories we need to be able to see through
someone else’s vision regardless of the vision not being in accordance with our beliefs.
The Embryo Man IS such story and it holds its own place in the vast sea of literature.
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118 review is by Shaluofficial on 7/11/20 - (India)
Great book!
My fiancé said this was the best gift I've ever given him.
This book has the best love story I ever read on ebook. Role
of Harmony made me realize my first love with my girl friend.
Author has explained the story in such a great way that it will
keep every reader engaged. I would love to read more love
stories of this couple and recommending each reader to read it.
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119 review is by Amnnahh on 8/2/20 - (Pakistan)
As the name suggests the story is about an unhatched man at an early age.
He met an Indian girl and couldn’t resist falling in love with her every day he
meets her. The gratissimum (the reason behind writing the story and a short
intro about the story) is written so beautifully that it encourages the reader to
go with it. Every day he was falling in love with Harmony and he has beautifully
noted and written what he observed about that Indian girl, how he sometimes
acted foolishly before her, and regret it later. This was a beautiful piece of art
written, wrapped with amazing words that continuously grasp your attention.
The story might make you sometimes uncomfortable and makes you think
that how such a thing could happen but as the writer had claimed in the very
start that if the reader couldn’t imagine something in this story that doesn’t
mean that it hasn’t happened.
A story about love, romantic comedy, attention, happy moments, and life experiences.
The writer has truly depicted how the first sight love could be beautifully portrayed in
words. Charles has beautifully given those random notes and journals the shape of
the book ‘The Embryo Man’. Charles was truly in love with Harmony, with her beauty,
with her fashion sense, with the way she walks and talks, and with the way she was
treating her. Every little detail about Harmony and the beautiful time they spent together
was adorable. When it was Harmony’s birthday and he asked his cousins to recommend
him something to make his woman happy was another beautiful love gesture of a young boy.
Harmony was kind, generous and the most importantly beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life.
He wanted to have her love as he was enjoying her company. The writer has beautifully written
that how he used to behave insanely whenever she is with her that once she asked him that how
he finds her and his answer was that she is like an elder sister to him. She explained to her that
men should be more understanding towards their women in their cycle and described the problem
that men get abusive in a relationship when they get too familiar with women. Harmony was
mature and was fighting with her health which she did not reveal in front of Charles.
The writer has also mentioned some unusual and strange dreams which he kept on dreaming
throughout the whole story. One day he saw Harmony with another man and saw that they both
were laughing at him. Whenever Chares tried to talk to her about the relationship she was always
in a bad mood and one day she kissed her and told him that now he can tell all his little friends
about the kiss. The reason behind her annoying behaviour was a bad experience of her
ex-relationship and that is the reason she was mature than her age.
One day they both expressed their feelings for each other and Charles promised Harmony
that he will not tell anyone about this. The writer beautifully mentions how the bond between
the two becomes stronger day by day. We have heard many love stories in many books but
this book is beyond the expected ending and it tells us that not all endings are happy endings.
All love stories claim that it is special and different that someone would
ever read and I must say that this a story beyond imagination.
The writer than talked about the Dark Monday when he has to leave for Ontario as it was
the wish of his parents and he couldn’t resist. On his return, he found a letter from Harmony
which revealed the saddest part of the story that Harmony was suffering from cancer for a
year and she is waiting in heaven for him.
The most beautiful part of this book was a young, not wholly grown-up child who treats a
grown-up woman so nicely and all he wanted was to have her love. It is an unconventional
story where the writer got the courage to write something for the readers that love could be
beautiful and could end like a bad dream in just one glance.
The writer has the ability to choose right and captivating words to grab the attention of the reader.
I would highly recommend it and would suggest you all read it as in this period of quarantine it is
a perfect delight.
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120 review is by Asqaawriter on 9/26/20 - (Pakistan)
The Embryo Man by Charles Pendelton portraits the boyhood of every man who once
has a strong feeling in his life for someone. Usually, a man in his boyhood had not the
perception of love that Charles do when he was just six. Not only this, but most of us
even lacked the courage and words to express what’s going inside us when we fell in
love with someone. Even though most of us experienced love in our early years of life,
solid feelings and hearty expressions of Charles as a boy are exceptional.
The collection of words to describe the beauty of his love, Harmony, is so outstanding
that you can hold yourself to read this book again and again. I do appreciate the writer
for filling the words with his emotions and passions so well. The choice of words and
the writer’s emotions in the heart of those is so heartwarming that you started feeling
a strong connection with the key characters of this love story, Charles and Harmony.
The best part of this book is when Charles raised a desire of kissing his love. You can also
feel the writer’s agitation of one-sided love at that point. After all these long nights of his
dreams, his first kiss with Harmony shines like a new day on the planet of his relationship.
The strangest thing about this love story is that both of its key characters belong to two
different cultures with a little bit of age gap. This unconventional love has many twists
and phases that start with a kissing desire and sexual moments afterward. Before you
start judging the writer and assume all this a lust, I must mention that Charles learned
about love and women's emotions with Harmony.
This love story is so pure that it will make you memorize your love life with tears in your
eyes. The plot is so much smooth and sleek that you can’t say that this book summons
the fifty precious years of Charles with and without Harmony. In the end, I would say love
never remains gracious that’s why the writer has to mention that he is terrified of life.
319 pages of this book will literally make you feel the actual pain in the words of
book titles that are “When love, at first sight, becomes more than an obsession.”
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121 review is by Airassyeda on 10/30/20 - (Pakistan)
Charles Pendelton, in the book “The Embryo Man”, narrates his own love story.
This book profoundly involves the readers by telling story of a young boy who falls in
love with a matured teenage girl, Harmony. Charles, during 1970s, and for peculiarity
of readers, at age of 6, had his first ever experience of several tender human emotions
like love, infatuation, jealousy, erotic feelings etc. This love story is so out of norms of
society as Charles himself mentions in the book, “It is a story of a young boy desperately
struggling to win the affections of a very mature teenage girl he cannot stop thinking of”.
(Kindle edition Location 92 of 4106).
The uniqueness of this book is deliberated substantially through the age factors of the
lovers, the experience of tender emotions in such young age and of course, the ending,
which sadly, is not “happily ever after”.
The author begins the book with the motive behind writing this story, which is to portray
the feelings of love arising in the heart of young innocent boy for a mature teenage girl.
Especially the years spend with his girlfriend Harmony, which taught him so many
learnings, lessons, feelings and living the way of life. He noted all these things in
“The Harmony Journal” and then compiled and formed in a book as a symbol of
gratitude towards his girlfriend. The subtle narrative and vivid depiction of emotions
make this love story exceptionally touching and heartwarming. The beautiful inflection
of storyline draws the sketch of underlying reason of Charles’ attraction towards Harmony.
Charles’ parents had troubled marriage and in the midst of his family circumstances, the care,
affection, generosity and open-hearted friendship of attracts him and he anticipates spending
as much time with Harmony. His devotion and yearning for affection and get her attention in
every possible way can be felt through careful selection of words.
As the story unfolds, readers interest is enhanced with the growing likeness of Harmony for
young boy and his pure efforts. At first, the scars of past keep her to fully accept and again
step on to the roads of love again, but Charles efforts and passion make her give in and she
also starts loving him. Excellent selection of words to describe erotic feelings between the
lovers, a young boy and a teenage girl, works as icing on the cake. Author also writes few
incidents and efforts for his girlfriend which seems like dragging the story, but he has
efficiently kept the readers connected to the storyline.
The ending, however, is not as anticipated by us generally. Harmony gets sick and cruel reality
of life hits the innocent, pure hearted boy. Death of his girlfriend leaves him devastated and alone.
I think this book is a daring effort of Charles to write about his everlasting scars, endearing moments
of a child’s mind and present them in front of the world in the form of such unique love story.
The compilation of book, indeed, had proofread errors. Like I found just a minor mistake on page 33,
where in the very first paragraph, the third line where “he” should be “He” which I assumed that the
author is referring to God. Normally, the climax comes in the middle of the story but in this case,
death of Harmony was the climax and twist which reached by the end of this story. Besides that,
the true depiction of his emotions and experience of an unusual love story leave the readers
deeply touched as having a mature mind at such young age is really beyond reality.
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122 review is by Sam_sarfraz6 on 11/29/20 - (Pakistan)
The Embryo Man” is an extraordinary emotional love story writing by Charles Pendelton.
The story begins with a young boy falling in love with a teenage girl; however, the unique
poetic and romantic writing style of the author captured my heart. The story represents the
purest form of love, devotion, and sincerity to all the readers. The novel has spectacular
poetry lines for the readers. I admire the fact that fundamental characters of the novel were
exclusively highlighted and Charles talked about the controversial nature of the story in the
beginning. The emotions and love story coming from a young boy might seem controversial
to some readers, but they are purer. His parents were irrationally in love with each other before;
however, their relationship was struggling because of busy working schedules and heated
arguments every single day. Charles got attracted to Harmony because of her loving and
honest nature. Spending time with Harmony was an escape from the fights of his parents.
He was always excited about spending time and learning more about her and leaving an
electrifying influence on her. He narrates her marvelous beauty and wisdom along with the
exceptional maturity of this young boy. The young boy struggling with the aspect of becoming
a man, even before being a young boy brings a feeling of detachment that could have been
suitable for his age otherwise. This story differs from others because of being purest in its
nature without getting affected by the difference in age and religion.
The author has wisely selected appropriate words to connect with the emotions for the readers.
His original writing style along with poetic and traditional sentences leaves a lasting impression.
The lewd experiences are not immoral, but have been long-drawn-out in certain places.
I started feeling at a loss after completing this novel. The story is a masterpiece in the history of
romantic novels. The delicacy and simplicity of the characters make a profound relationship with
the reader, making it harder for anyone to read it without getting emotional or dropping some tears.
After going through serious notes in life, Harmony’s death was the greatest loss for him. I was crying
at the ending. Being one of the most magnificent novels that I have ever read in life, Charles is opening
his heart in front of the audience without thinking about the judgment of other people. Charles love story
delivers a perfect interpretation of love, devotion, care, and affection. I will highly recommend everyone
to read and experience this brilliant love story.
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123 review is by Tanyagaur on 12/6/20 - (Pakistan)
My goodness...what a Unique, Unforgettable & Unputdownable book!!
A magical story that reveals the essence of pure love and affection between
a charming young boy and a mature teenage girl. This book is so detailed that
it tickles your vivid imagination and without even trying, the scenes from 70’s
will play out in front of your eyes. This book is a tale of a young boy and his love
that engulfed his entire being at a very tender age of 6. The relationship which is
so beautifully portrayed in the novel might come out as controversial, but I really
like how Charles tried to show the clear picture of the journey the reader is about
to embark on through his own creation, Gratissimum, a “welcome mat” with cited
passages from the novel itself.
The whole book is permeated with love and if you dive into this book with open heart,
I tell you for sure that you are going to love every bit of “The Embryo Man”.
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124 review is by Promilahasija on 12/19/20 - (Pakistan)
The unforgettable and mesmerizing novel, the Embryo Man by Charles Pendleton,
is achingly beautiful, lyrical and intensely heartbreaking. It’s a portrayal of emotional
heady feelings of first love. It is not mere a love story, but it also teaches a huge
lesson of life, that is ‘recovering to normal life after losing a loved one.’
This beautiful story, while possessing a very unique and emotional plot, describes a
heart-touching love story between two souls, Charles and harmony who were neighbors.
Unlike other typical love tales, it displays the bitter reality of life. Charles is a six year old
American kid whereas harmony belongs to an Indian and Columbian lineage and was a
living Indian goddess in the eyes of Charles. By every means, this story has the ability to
possess your mind through its unique style of storyline, narration and verdict. Though the
author has narrated the real story of his life and has also tried to escape from typical filmy
feeling, he could not isolate them to the fullest. Even the erotic part of the book is so
unbelievable as far as the ages of the characters are concerned.
The way Charles describes her beauty is so unreal for a boy of such a young age that
compels us to doubt on the veracity of the narrative. However, that feeling is kept persistently
down by the pacing narration. I would say that if you love reading the mere expressions and
the thoughts that one may get when deeply in love with someone; the love that stays beyond
life then one must surely read this book.
The storyline is both touching and at the same time confusing! After reading this, I was left
pondering in my head, “Can this actually happen?” The novel has a great quality in it, that is,
it leaves you confused and focuses to contemplate the story. It is for those who love to think
and go beyond the actual “literal meanings”. I found the book a bit boring in the initial part,
probably because I was somehow unable to follow the track of the novel, but narration
pace covered it well.
This story is about love in its purest form!
It depicts the divinity and serenity of love!
Believe it or not, this book literally changed my perspective of love.
The story teaches that love is all about wait, patience, endurance,
sacrifice, eternity and much more rather that a hormonal rush in the bodies.
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125 review is by Monarjmn on 12/19/20 - (India)
“The Embryo Man” gives a different view to a love story.
Charles Pendelton expresses his love for Harmony in each and every page
of the book. This book is truly written for the author himself. It is an unusual
love story. The love story of a young boy and a grown woman isn’t something
one can stumble upon easily. The plot is unique and we are warned about the
absence of a happy ending. The story did start off well, but it did become slow
in the middle. It felt draggy and I lost context a few times. This story isn’t for
everyone, only a few can feel the emotions of the narrator while reading it.
The writing was amazing and it hooks a reader to read the story.
Since it is a real-life experience of the author himself, it made an impact on me.
Personally, I wasn’t hooked to the book during the mid parts, but the writing
really made me want to complete reading the book.
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126 review is by Khishar on 12/31/20 - (Pakistan)
The Embryo man is a very unconventional and controversial tragic love story of Charles and Harmony.
The story is narrated by 42 years old Charles who had written it from the fragmented pieces of his childhood
journals. As the story is compilation of narrator’s disjointed entries of journal it is not written in a linear order.
Flashbacks and fragmented pieces of his memories pop up in the story on various instances. Its narrating
style is unique in a way that you get to read the story from the perspective of a young kid as well as an adult.
The Narrator in this story is not only narrating the story but also jumps in as an adult commentator to explain
his point of view about certain ideas and incidents. He also writes about his feelings that he is able to understand
now as an adult but wasn’t able to comprehend as a child. The frequent appearance of narrator as commentator
gives an insight to the characters and their feelings.
Writing style is very descriptive. Writer has used vivid imagery while describing the detail of characters,
their personalities, surroundings and setting of the novel. The writing style becomes poetic at times as
Charles describes his feelings for Harmony or when he shares the details of their intimacy. The major
theme in this novel is love. The whole story revolves around Charles’s love for Harmony. As a seven-
year-old kid Charles had no idea what love is or how one feels when in love but he could only
comprehend his feelings in a way he saw people showing their affection to their loved ones.
“I had no idea what love was all about, but I knew it had something to do with the way two people kissed.
First, I needed to get that special kiss from her, but how?”
For Charles lover is not only showing physical affection but a beautiful feeling and
bond that you share with someone. For him love was intricately woven in subtle
moments they share together or the ordinary things Harmony did for him.
“Harmony was always singing for me as she played her acoustic guitar, and that made
me feel good, but what I really wanted was for her to sing to me. To feel that bond of
togetherness. That heartfelt cloying of over-exaggerated needs. I think it’s called love”.
The story is very controversial as it discusses a kind of tabooed topic.
The love between a 16-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy. The characters not only transcend the ethnical,
racial and societal boundaries but the age as well. It is really disturbing to read the kind of relationship
Charles and Harmony shared. They broke all the norms of society and sometimes it seems disgusting
and unbelievable that a mature girl is sexually involved with a young boy of only nine or ten years old.
The intimate details of their relationship can dismantle you.
Sometimes you find difficult to comprehend the kind of intimacy they both shared but it is not entirely fiction.
These kind of things happen and we find the traces of them in other pieces of postmodern literature as in
“The Reader” by Bernhard Schlink as well.
As Charles falls in love a girl 10 years older than her we constantly see a conflict in Charles’ personality.
He is torn between being a child and wanting to be a man and acting like an adult throughout the story.
“I honestly believed I had the mind of a fully-grown adult.
An adult who stood firm in curiously piecing together the puzzle known as life”.
He wants to be mature and older so that he could show and announce his love for Harmony publically
and he won’t have to feel ashamed about their relationship. And in his constant fight always considered
him an adult.
“A child I may very well have been indeed, but around Harmony, I felt more like a man
trapped inside a boy’s body”.
Towards the end of the story we see that like all other things Harmony is ultimately the one
who helps him overcome this conflict.
“You have to choose one, and that is what you will become.
Do you choose to be an embryo, or do you choose to be a man?”
Harmony’s character is shown to be very delicate and sweet from the beginning of the story.
She has deep rooted cultural values.
“The one thing that really fascinated me about Harmony was she had never become Americanized.
This country had not changed her. She knew who she was, and wasn’t afraid to show it”.
Their relationship ends with a really tragic incident that shatters your heart into pieces.
The ending is so heart wrenching that you cannot hold your tears back.
I do not want to give any spoilers but be aware when I say it this novel
will leave you heartbroken as it left Charles.
“If I have to wait a lifetime for the pain to subside, then so be it”.
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126 review is by Aasmii on 12/31/20 - (Nepal)
Personally, so far, this is one of my favorites read with a brilliant love story,
a perfect interpretation of love, care, deviance, and affection. Actually, it is more
than a whisper. Charles unlocks his heart to the readers without thinking about
the moral judgment they would have on him.
The novel has phenomenal lines of poetry. I admire the fact that the novel's main
characters were exclusively highlighted and that Charles spoke at the outset of the
controversial nature of the story. Feelings and love coming from a young boy seem
somewhat controversial to some readers, but they're denser and pure for sure.
Time spent with Harmony was an escape from the fights of his parents.
This story differs from the others because it is pure in nature without being affected by
the age difference and religious dogma. This love story is so out of the norms of society
that Charles himself says in the novel, "It is a story of a young boy desperately struggling
to win the affections of a very mature teenage girl he cannot stop thinking of."
The dramatic plot and vivid portrayal of emotions make this love story incredibly touching.
I must say that the excellent choice of words to describe erotic thoughts between a young
boy and a teenage girl made us all overwhelmed at some point.
The story is a masterpiece of mature and intricate plotlines taking you to the roller coaster
of emotions, leaving you tearful eyes to parts of it. Harmony's death was the greatest tragedy
to him. So basically, you're going to read about the life of two people and how heartbreakingly
their story ended. The love story left me deeply touched as having a mature mind able to
love at such a young age is really beyond my imagination.
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127 review is by Dikshasharma24 on 1/3/21 - (India)
"The Embryo Man" by Charles Pendelton is a journey of how a young boy
fell in love with a young girl. This story is a roller coaster ride of emotions,
a story that depicts true and pure love.
A very unconventional and unorthodox love story which will surely not disappoint you.
This novel is a romantic non-fiction taking place in the early 70's which narrates
the innocence, passion, fondness, warmth, attachment and intimacy of young love.
A crush that grew into something that is precious and beautiful. It surely must be
magical to experience love so deep and a connection so strong.
The climax will break your heart, leave you crying.
I would highly recommend reading this tragic and heart-rendering
love story composed by Charles Pendelton.
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128 review is by Secretraaz on 1/12/21 - (Pakistan)
The Embryo Man by Charles Pendelton is not your average romantic story.
It’s not a book you pick up when you want to do some lighthearted reading.
It starts with cautionary remarks about how unconventional this story is and anyone
who reads it should proceed at their own risk. That caution was absolute necessity
because not everyone can be open-minded about these situations.
It is the story of young boy, a child in fact, who falls in love with a young girl of nineteen.
It is a very controversial book but it shows love in its purest form. The book has an amazing
feel of olden times. We are often reminded of how much times have changed. The writing is
lengthy at some points but very beautifully written. The thought of such feelings coming from
a boy of 7-9 years is incomprehensible but everything is explained in such details that you
can’t deny the truth of his feelings.
Spoilers ahead: Charles was instantly attracted to Harmony the first time he saw her.
This is the story of how through his undying affection, he finally drew out the truth from
her as well that she loves him, too. Being an adult, she was trying to be sensible about
it but couldn’t hold her feelings anymore in face of his true love. Nowhere you get the
feeling that what Charles is feeling is just infatuation or crush.
The love he feels, they both feel is very real. They pass all stages of their love together
and in complete accordance. But this is not a happy story. It’s a tragedy whose end will
leave you feeling very sorry for both of them. The only thing I didn’t like about this story
was that it seemed to miss some elements of continuity. I would have preferred if the
ages were mentioned at most of the points so it became easier to see the situation.
Overall, an out of the box book that summarizes love. It also has such profound
thoughts scattered all over that anyone who reads it will end up learning something.
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129 review is by abeera_3kay on 1/12/21 - (Pakistan)
Charlie I read your entire story and now, below, I'll write my
complete unbiased feedback to your book, "The Embryo Man".
Firstly, I am tremendously sorry for your loss, and the trauma you had to go through
as such a beautiful childhood. But, I'm not here to offer pity, but power to you. In the
beginning of the novel, the author mentioned a word 'intricately', the author is a man
of his word, indeed each of his emotions that he passed through counting 46 years
ago was sewn with such precision, GOD! Indeed, each of his words, sentiments,
everything made sense to me when I finished the novel.
I am a human, and yes I did judge Charlie.
Even Harmony, while I read the novel, at various occasions.
The bond Charlie and Harmony had, the love, the affection, those moments, the love making,
the dreams they held, the future they wanted together, the wait, the time limit, everything and
so many more big and small things, they had something to cherish, something really different,
and most of it, IT WAS PURE. His parents didn't had that but as a child he had a man within
himself to protect the woman he loved. That was something that held me spellbounded.
I don't know how to pay my tribute to the author for dwelling into his most painful moments
and write all of them, relive the sweet and salty moments and I know it must've taken great
courage and CHARLIE PENDLETON YOU DID IT.
Yes you've indeed opened a door of your memories that you can't even lock ever again,
how it must have affected you and your entire life, but honestly, this wasn't just any 'novel',
it was a 'part of you, part of your life'. And you must hold it with happiness.
Yes, it wasn't a fairytale, at all.
But, it was REAL.
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130 review is by roshnikiran on 1/12/21 - (Pakistan)
The Embryo Man... It is a love story with an unpredicted twist at the ending
between Charles and his girlfriend Harmony. As Sugar, spice, and everything
nice is the variety of life same like companionship, compromise, and memories,
are the varieties of love! Every love story will give you a bit of tragedy and plenty
of romance. But Charles’s Love Story gives you an additional bonus of how an
actual romantic relationship should be without any boundaries.
The readers may find this book surprising cause of the love feelings arising in
the mind of an innocent child for a teenage girl. The author beautifully explains
the situation when the young boy saw Harmony first time, her physical traits,
and especially her mature reaction to his first compliment for her brown eyes.
Charles’s parents have an anxious marriage and they fight all the time. During all this,
Charles develops feelings and attraction towards Harmony due to her caring and friendly
nature. Harmony also starts liking the innocent nature of this child and his efforts to win
her heart. All this remains very helpful to forget her past where she was betrayed badly.
Spending time with each other was an escape from that grief they were going through.
In the end, tragically Harmony got sick and passed away and Charles
didn’t be able to effort her leaving in a good way. That’s where I feel
so upset and it brings a tear in my eyes that hit me hard too.
Charles’ style of writing is very simplistic. Every scene has its charm, and leaves
a sweet little smile on your face. This Love Story is a story that remains close to my
heart across time! Once you pick it up, you simply HAVE to finish it at one stretch.
Apart from being an innocent story of love between two people, from different
age groups, Love Story brings to you, two characters who unintentionally creep
into your conscience and make a place for themselves.
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131 review is by ridaihsan on 1/29/21 - (Pakistan)
'The Embryo Man' is a romantic story written by Charles Pendelton, extracted from his own life.
The author is narrating his love story that happened in the 1970s. He explains how he falls in love
with a girl at first sight who is older than him and struggles to win her love. In the beginning, Charles
explains the motive behind writing his story. He always wants to be mature and older to love Harmony
without fear of being ashamed about their relationship. The whole novel revolves around Charles's
love for Harmony. He beautifully explains when he first saw Harmony, her physical appearance.
He got attracted to Harmony for her loving nature. She taught him so many learnings, lessons, feelings,
and the way of living life. He was always excited about spending more time, learning more about her.
His thoughts and observations in the story are explained poetically and attractively, unlike traditional
moral sentences. Charles’s style possesses originality for effective writing.
It is not a typical love story. The writer was six years old and, this age is too young to understand
the emergence of human emotions like love, infatuation, fascination, erotic feelings, and jealousy.
In Charles’s own words, 'It’s is a story of a young boy desperately struggling to win the affection of
a very mature teenage girl he cannot stop thinking of'. For him, love is not only showing physical
affection but a beautiful feeling. His unique poetic and romantic writing style captured my heart.
He truly depicts his love, emotions, and feelings for his beloved. The emotions and feelings coming
from a young boy might seem controversial to some readers, but for me, these emotions and feelings
are pure and sincere. I like this novel because it is different from other love stories as it is real and the
purest. This story is about love in its purest form and out of the norms of society. This novel brings me
a whole new perspective that love also can happen even at a very young age.
In a nutshell, it is a very unconventional love story, and the author profoundly involves the readers and
makes them feel that they are present at that time. I like this novel very much because it is not just a story,
but has happened in the writer's past. I recommend everyone to read this phenomenal love story.
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132 review is by Qureshishaheena on 2/1/21 - (Coimbatore, India)
First, I would like to mention my special thanks to Mr. Charles Pendleton Sir,
who gave me an opportunity to read one of the most peppiest love story of all
times in the Romance genre. While reading the book, I read each and every
line and sentences twice, because each and every feelings and emotions are
explained very well with most appropriate words in a poetic way...
The entire book and it's chapters are very well connected that you go into a
world of imagination as if the entire scenes are happening in front of you in
your thoughts.. (kind off a theatre play or movie)
I really appreciate the guts of the author who dared to convey the little love
story of a little boy (himself) who's just an Embryo in the world of Love..
While reading the first quarter of the book, i was just wondering who could a
little boy of age 6 will go through so many thoughts, feelings and emotions in
such a short span of his life... Mostly I had a personal opinion of having a crush
or infatuation has an age of above 12 or 13, twice that of the author.. But after
reading the entire novel I realised that, few things can happen at any age and
all it needs is a pure heart as that of a little child..
A little heart with pure love, no demons and no evils...
That doesn't count of what you gain or lose...
it's just love only God knows and the tiniest little heart...
I hardly cry!!! But this little boys pains and struggle eached a little in my heart
too and my tears acknowledged unknowingly while having a vision of Maya's
(Harmony) tragic end...
I appreciate how the author has beautifully essayed the beauty of our Indian Lady..
And am very much surprised to read out words like earnings, nose pierce, mehandi
and lehanga ( a very rare case in an American novel) and am proud to be one of it...
Every woman is beautiful in her own way but still our indian ascent are Angels..
And I agree to it...
Well!!! I won't break the surprise, that's hidden in each and every line of this book.
which comes out in a bundle of emotions and feelings of the author... Anyway!!! I agree
with the author that's it's truly something neither read or heard before in my life span...
Am giving 5 star to this book, because it actually deserves a 5 star...
and I also respect the hardwork and dedication of the author who gave more than 10 years
of his life to write this master piece by Putting back forth of his broken little heart...
I would like to recommend you all, to read once at least first few chapters,
but I bet! you will not stop reading/completing the entire book...
Charles Pendleton Sir!!!
Great work!!!
Thanks!
Regards!
Shahena Z
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133 review is by Dorazray on 2/9/21 - (India)
(((To me personally)))
Hello Mr. Pendleton. I hope you are doing well. Firstly, I would like to thank you
for providing me with the opportunity of reading your wonderful work. In all of my
honesty, I have never come across something so wonderful, so naturally.
I feel lucky that you chose me to read this wonderful piece of art.
As your book gets more popularity, I am pretty sure your contribution to the literary
world will be remembered as a masterpiece. I can confidently say that I have a new
favorite novel in the genre of romance. The review that I have attached is for the
goodreads page, and if its fine with you , I will add it there. Thank you and regards.
(((Goodreads Review)))
I haven’t read a novel in a long time and I am glad that I broke my hiatus with this
spectacular book. It was an enchanting experience to go through the whole story.
The most fascinating thing about the novel was that I felt like a teenager high on
love, while reading the story. You know it’s a good book when all the characters of
the story come alive effortlessly in front of your eyes. Charles’s careful selection of
words to describe the events of his story kept me captivated throughout the novel.
The authors way of thinking and conveying his feelings
for the love of his life is extremely heartwarming.
The love that the protagonist displays from a very young age, appears to be platonic at
first however, as the story progressed, I felt like I have traversed a whole new dimension
of love, which is more than physical and platonic combined.
Love has many phases and one can travel through all of the warm and cold stages of
true love while reading the story. There was a big smile on my face while reading the
parts where one could clearly feel how wonderstruck the author was by Harmony.
Then came the harsh phases where one could feel the author’s pain and heartbreak.
I literally felt my heart sinking while reading the painful parts of the author’s life in the
story. The story was bittersweet and can remind one of their own incomplete love story
while providing a type of closure, as it did to me.
Overall, Mr. Pendleton’s style of writing was very refreshing and the book
restore my faith and love for good romance novels. I would like to thank him
for this wonderful book and I congratulate the readers for finding this gem
of a book amongst thousands of novels available in the market today.
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134 review is by Mahaqaiser17 on 3/2/21 - (Pakistan)
The writer has impressed me with the way he described his feelings for Harmony.
It is something in the words he chose that takes you into the story, back to the 1970s.
I have read quite a few literary books and being fond of literature, I found this piece of writing
extremely interesting and the one that enthralls the readers. It is as if you are experiencing the
whole situation in person, the way the child reacts to his parents fighting, the first time he saw
Harmony and just the perfect description of the way she looked so exquisitely beautiful.
Love, an emotion described so well by the author, I must say it is difficult to put into words how
one feels this extremely intense emotion. As the writer grew old, his love for harmony blossomed as
he describes in one of his lines, “How a gentle woman with unembellished beauty could mesmerize
my world and take hold of my very soul was a mystery of mysteries for me at the time”.
This line touched my heart like any other and I really felt what true love is.
The story takes a very interesting and unexpected turn when Charles expressed his feelings
for Harmony. The writer sure knows well how to pen down his thoughts in the most appropriate
manner. The casual feel and the mystery associated with their relation is what makes it highly
interesting and encourages a reader to get to know what would happen next.
Moving on, I would like to appreciate the fact that the author tried to imply repeatedly in his story.
The child who was at the time just a third grader, could so perfectly understand the way Harmony
reacts when her parents came over unexpectedly and she had to remove her bindi. The emotions
so well described, let alone from a child, makes it even more interesting, as he now knows what
true love is, companion whom you cannot live without.
I was rather impressed by the way it has been described that how this nine-year-old consoled
her lover when she went into the retrospect and remembered her past traumas. The emotional
roller-coaster took me within the intense situation and I failed to hold back my tears over the
misery and ultimate misfortune that Harmony had been inflicted with.
As the story goes on, the writer tells the readers how Charles felt like a man old enough at one instant
and like an embryo at another. From there, the author knew, the book was to be named as the embryo
man. In my perspective, the imagination of the character itself, the ability to co-exist in different world,
to experience one’s desires in the most intense state, is what marks the specialty of this book. There
is an on-going suspense which keeps the reader stuck onto the book.
I think the ending to this book is what will shatter your heart into a million pieces. We can never
go through the exact pain that the writer experienced but for sure this writing made it clear that
whatever existed between Charles and Harmony was the divine form of love, something that
would be impossible to bury with the body of his beloved. The book does justice to Harmony,
she will live in the memory of each one who reads her story.
I would really recommend this piece of writing to be read far and wide, so
that people shall be able to experience and to know love in its purest form.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Rated 5-Stars)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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135 review is by Chhavigupta89 on 3/11/21 - (India)
Books are commitments. You need to be very careful with what you choose and I
am super glad that I chose this one to accompany me for a couple of days and fill
me with so much love and empathy. I could connect with the author extraordinarily
well and understand the deep emotions that have been portrayed by Charles.
The Gratissium and the Introduction are so gripping as if they're almost
a part of the storyline, while the story doesn't even start there!
As the first chapter backdates to the ‘70s of the twentieth century,
you realize how different - only more beautiful-love stories were then.
This book is everything cute and a true definition of love. It explains how love and
life can't be separated from each other. Doubtlessly, as it is also touted as one of the
most unconventional and controversial books ever written, it's everything that one
wouldn't see as normal. Yet you wouldn't find it unusual while reading; it's filled with
innocence and purity of a child's love. Obviously, though, you do see (visualize)
Charles experiencing his first kiss with the first love of his life!
Further, it's amazing and worthwhile to read how the author has described the beauty
of his beloved. Keeping this review without of any spoilers that could kill your mood,
I end this here and give this book ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
All in all, if you're looking for something to fill your time, The Embryo Man is a must
to go, you'll soon see the book filling your time because you'll want to keep reading
it until culminates, which *Spoiler Alert* is not a conventionally happy ending.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Rated 5-Stars)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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136 review is by Rlorraine on 3/12/21 - (Pakistan)
You will never be the same person once you give your heart to someone. Sometimes
it turns into a blessing but unfortunately, it never happens very often. That is the price
you pay for loving someone wholeheartedly and giving that person your precious heart.
‘The Embryo Man’ is the author's 'Journey through the past’ shakes the soul of the
reader and grabs you by the throat until the very end. The author’s genuine feelings
speak directly to the reader because everyone of us has felt the passionate feelings
of first love but never had the courage to express it to the world.
It is a love story so unique and pure, untainted by the worldly lust.
Love knows no age, it just happens.
As the author says, ‘In theory, we all live in glass houses’.
Glass house can be a metaphor used to describe our hearts. As once broken can
never mend again. Once we let someone reside in it, it is hard to let go of the feelings.
It changes everything. So, did it changed everything for Charles who when first saw
Harmony, found himself in an interwoven net of feelings and passionate love. His
burning desire to win her and his constant fear of losing her creates curiosity and
keeps the reader engaged to know what road this love story will take.
As the author says in the novel that ‘for every step taken on life’s long journey,
there is one we do not come back from’. Indeed, it is true, there is that very one
decision we make, that one thought we act upon has lasting marks on our personality.
The marks, the experience, the feeling, which we can never escape from.
The essence of pure love is that wonderful beginning
that ultimately ends in sadness and impossibility.
A breathtaking love story engulfed with purity took place in New Drop,
Borough of Richmond, Staten Islands, from 1970 to 1974.
Neither a ‘time machine’ nor ‘Aladdin’s lamp’ can bring back what is lost. This is the bitter
truth of life that we learn at the end of the novel. In this transient world, nothing stays forever.
Sooner or later it is meant to be perished, living only in the hearts and memories of the living.
The deeper the love with the lost individual, the more painful it becomes to move on.
Death comes as a thief and steals Harmony from Charles. Their heartbreak love strikes
like a dagger in the heart of the reader. Their destiny eclipses their world, blows out their
light, their flame, breaking the dream they were living in. Each of them was experiencing
a fairy tale, where everything was perfect and lovely, however, it is a dark truth that such
dreams don't last forever and become a prison where the dreamer stays a prisoner forever.
The story utterly reckons to a quote by Emily Bronte:
‘Whatever our souls are made of His and Mine are the same.’
‘The Embryo Man’ is spectacularly a different novel in its nature as it comes directly from the
heart of the author. The novel is rich in metaphors and similes. The poetic and philosophical
language of the novel makes it mesmerizingly different from the conventional moralistic language.
The title of the novel is striking as the word ‘embryo’ depicts the developmental stage of an
unhatched offspring. As you read the novel it unfolds how a young boy develops into a mature
man on the journey of love, the maturity he gains. It reminds me of a quotation I read somewhere
that we get mature not with age but with the damage. It takes a lifetime for some people or perhaps
it never happens in their lifetime to learn what the author learned at a very young age.
It was a tantalizing experience reading the novel. If you are done with reading the regular and typical
style of writing, then ‘The Embryo Man’ is the number one choice, I would recommend you to read
and experience the out-of-this-world descriptions of the tender yet passionate first love.
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137 review is by Samfarooq725 on 3/19/21 - (Pakistan)
I'm so glad that I get a chance to do the beta-reading of this beautiful piece of writing.
I was intrigued to read the book just after reading its epigraph. I thought why not explore it
further and guess what? I get a beautiful love story of an amazing boy when he was a child.
Those pure feelings of love, sincerity, and affection will take you to another world. If you have
a strong imagination then trust me this love story will take you to another world. Charles has
used mesmerizing words and his writing style is quite different than normal writers.
Since he has used a different approach to deliver his exquisite love story.
His constant efforts to tell the story in its original form are quite appreciated.
His sincerity and innocence will make you fall in love with his love story.
Highly recommended!
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138 review is by sru5hti on 3/22/21 - (India)
I have read so many books and this by far the most interesting book that
I have ever read. The ending was unexpected. The lovestory is so unique
and so full of emotions. The climax was heartbreaking but I loved the
story so much. The book is worth it. I am so glad I got to read this book.
The author really did a great work.
Every scene had something new.
The way the author wrote is so good.
This is the first time I have completed a book
in two days because it was really really good !!!
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139 review is by Tlvidya on 3/29/21 - (India)
I loved the way the words are used in this novel.
It is more poetic, and it just flows through very nicely.
This book is more like a biography where the author narrates his story
when he was a child. The characters are defined in a good way. It is very
easy to visualize what is happening in the story by the way it is narrated.
Especially the Indian /Columbian cuisines are very beautifully defined. On
the little bit of improvement side, I felt the story nagging at some point of time,
Where in Harmony and Charlie keep romancing fearing if someone would see.
Maybe I am bit orthodox, I could not accept a 9-year-old boy having intimate
relationship with a woman in the beginning. But I got used to it with Charlie
started behaving in a mature manner towards the end of story.
Some parts of mystical happenings when
Charlie comes of age is also little bit confusing.
The end can be predicted before hand as the author keeps saying he is going to
lose the lady. The mixture of present as to what his mind says (where the words
are highlighted) and past might make the reader wonder what exactly is happening.
Overall a breezy, quick read with great usage of poetic words.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Rated 3.5 Stars)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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140 review is by myran28 on 4/1/21 - (United Arab Emirates)
When the book started and the author mentioned he was in love with a girl 10+ years
his senior when he was a child, I was apprehensive because I thought it might be about
grooming and I really didn't want to read a real life story where that happened.
As I progressed through the book, I realized it was a pretty much one sided love from the
little boy, and I was hoping it would remain that way throughout the book. Alas, that was
not the case and there were certain..activities..between them that are pretty illegal almost
everywhere in the world and certainly in the United States. That part was definitely shocking
and something I did not anticipate even from reading the gratissimum before I read the book.
Some dialogues were surprising, like Harmony saying girls dress up and look good
for men, not just for themselves. I know in the present day that's certainly not true
because women do these things as a form of self care and creative expression.
The author wasn't kidding about things being different in the 70s, which is a super
interesting insight into how different the thought process was at the time.
Also, I won't lie, the author kinda romanticizes Harmony's ethnicity and calls her
exotic for being of Indian and Colombian descent. Stereotyping her, basically.
At one point in the book, the author says that her parents would not accept
him because of cultural differences. Um no, it's because you're literally ten.
The author writes well, and the story of a kid growing up in New York suburbia
in the 70s would be an interesting read even on its own. As it stands, this book
is wildly polarizing, but the author is quite aware of this fact and honestly says
that he wrote this book for himself first; the readers are secondary.
That explains why he chose the subject matter - clearly it's something very close to his heart.
Overall, this book is quite risqué and the "romance" is something that is honestly just illegal,
however much the author thinks of it as pure.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Rated ??? Stars)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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141 review is by Nisha4you on 4/4/21 - (India)
Before I make any comments or start to give my utmost honest opinions on the book I must
declare this, that up until now I have just read only a couple of books most of them being
autobiographies. Still, to be true I am always open to read books pertaining to any genre.
Now that I have finished reading the book I can definitely say that you definitely
succeeded in reanimating Harmony in my heart and mind forever.
For the beginning I was quiet uncertain about what I was going to read.
As you mentioned you were going to relive those memories with Harmony and that you would
like to be with her once more. But then as I went further I realized that this was far more intense
that just remembering or reliving memories that you created with your loved ones. Especially the
way you poured life in the moments that you and Harmony spent together is far beyond amazing.
The theme of the entire book definitely resembled 70’s.
As I went on to read the book it certainly did turn a little bit erotic and blurred that thin lie between
pleasure and love. But as the story unfolds in the later chapters, your love and uneasiness in the
relationship redraws that line. For the ending I actually felt the pain of Harmony passing away.
Your story is definitely deep and impactful. I don’t want to bring this up but I did have some trouble
catching up with the timeline of the story from pt 4 to 6 probably. If that’s not an issue, then I think
the book and Harmony would definitely catch up to everyone out there.
As I mentioned earlier, being almost a novice reader I had some problem keeping up with the
time line in the middle. The events and feelings were crystal clear but the sudden shifts from
one day to another or the change of seasons was really tough for me to keep up for a while.
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142 review is by Kinzajavedch on 4/9/21 - (Pakistan)
How do define a sweet, innocent and pure love?
I would define it as THE EMBRYO MAN - the love of sweet Charlie!
This book signifies that love is a feeling which is independent of all
the other factors. It is what you feel, when you feel and how you
feel for someone. It does not follow any rules or boundaries.
There is no limit to true love!
Do you want to learn how to love?
Read this book and learn from little Charlie.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Rated 5-Stars)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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143 review is by mah_noor_8 on 4/9/21 - (Pakistan)
When I began reading the novel, I can’t deny that I thought it would be just another
Tragic Love story. In the very starting I even felt bothered by the forbidden nature
of the romance and undoubtedly judged it as well. Maybe I was the reader that the
narrator kept warning about for I was absorbed in morality and was judgmental.
However, once I casted that aside by imagining myself as the protagonist, I could
actually feel all that he felt. The vivid descriptions and the realistic imagery started
to play in front of my eyes like a cinematic reel. Though, I wasn’t the third person,
I felt like the first person who was experiencing it all.
From my own perspective the narrator felt like a man in an embryo. His outer shell had
always been a child but his inner self was a man entrapped in the skin of a boy. There
laid before my observant eyes, two people in love who would be marginalized by the
discriminating society if discovered under the roof of the temporary comfort they’d found
in each other. In fact they are twisted characters with a unique emotionality of their own.
I also had to thoroughly impress the idea that this was a middle aged man writing a story
about his childhood. His time had been frozen since he was barely twelve and it began
ticking once again when the Pandora box of his sealed love had been broken wide open.
Time started ticking for him. He was already well-cognizant when the time would eventually
flow from the stillness. He’d already had a premonition that it was the end for whatever
sanity he had left for all these years where he kept dragging himself forth through time.
As a reader, I was honestly more absorbed in his well-developed thoughts rather than
Harmony herself. For me, sometimes Harmony felt unreal. Unreal, not in the sense
that her character wasn’t described enough. But in a sense that such a complex yet
understanding woman could only be a part of an imagination.
It almost reminded me of Damian by Herman Hesse. Harmony felt like Damian who
was guiding Sinclair over a journey to self realization, acceptance and discovery. This
is also one of the reasons where at some points I felt that Harmony was probably a
figment of imagination of the narrator where he sought comfort and discovered his
sexuality as well as his identity. This theory of Harmony being a figment of imagination
stood more ground at the scene when the two had the mushrooms which led them
over to crossing a spiritual bridge towards adulthood i.e. the coming of age ceremony.
Whether or not it was a psychological figment of his imagination, it doesn’t matter.
The whole journey of life is the point. This is the man that had lived his life all in two
years that he’d spent in loving his friend, his teacher, his lover and his soul mate;
all in one. Even after so many years, all he can do is wait for her to finally come
and be his guide, his light and his companion in his final journey.
There is no other way for me to put it in words except to say that this is indeed a
heartbreaking tragic love story that is meant to trek you from suffering towards the
realization how futile the efforts of man are in front of the cruel goddess of fate.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Rated 4-Stars)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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144 review is by fayimaaa on 4/12/21 - (Pakistan)
‘‘I often wonder how our children would have looked.
Part me and part Harmony, they would have been remarkable kids.
We would have given them the world, and in return, I am sure they would
have given us consolation, but some things are just not meant to be.
They are the forbidden fruit of our sorrow.
If I should never have another enjoyable day.
See another beautiful smile.
Touch another wonderful face.
If I should never hold another gentle hand,
then I can genuinely say with a whole heart,
you were worth it, my darling’’. (p. 316)
Oh, my heart!
This was heart breaking and beautifully written. I love the sad way this sounds.
This letter, that Harmony wrote for Charles, holds such a grief in it that I couldn’t
help but mourn for Charles’s loss. His words are real and his story is truth.
Charles Pendelton's "The Embryo Man" is a romantic non-fiction that teaches us the
lesson that love knows no boundaries. It grabbed my attention from the first page and
kept me smiling and crying. The language is eloquent and will stick with you till the end.
The theme tackled is hugely impactful, dealing with innocence, passion,
endearment, vehemence, attachment and intimacy of young love.
The warmth in the story narration will make you fall in love with Charles’s innocent self and
his exquisite love story. As a young boy, he warmed up my heart. He had a man within
himself to protect the woman he loved. That was something that held me spell-bounded.
The different emotions in between lines are so deep; sometimes it made me
heart broken, sometimes it made me feel really helpless. The very best and
unexpected part of the novel was its warm depiction of the Indian culture
It takes great courage to be vulnerable and to share, with the world, your precious
and painful parts of life, without having a fear of being judged. I want to pay tribute
to Charles Pendelton for penning down this heart warming master piece from his life.
You have given harmony a new birth through this book.
She will always be in the memories of your reader :)
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Rated 5-Stars)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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145 review is by kristentru on 4/16/21 - (United States)
Pendleton does an amazing job of pulling the reader in and creating
a nostalgic feeling of love.
There is no love as powerful or breathtaking as young love, and The
Embryo Man pulls at every memory that I may have once forgotten.
It’s the unlikely love story written with such passion and drips of loss that
it’s easy to get sucked into this story. Then he pulls you out of your almost
love trance with some real tragedies and heart-wrenching moments.
There were times that this novel admittedly made me a bit uncomfortable,
but I think that being uncomfortable is necessary when it comes to creating
a unique text that makes you really think.
I really enjoyed this novel and hope to see more from this author!
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Rated 4-Stars)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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