"Go Back Jack" is the true story memoir of a young Canadian woman who embarks on a journey in 1973 to investigate a past life as a black, American bluesman who was born in the Deep South and lived during the Great Depression.
Review from KELSEY
"Go Back Jack is an adventurous journey told by the author and protagonist, Maureen. From a childhood accident to word's of wisdom from a grandmother, the story follows her journey through life and its many adventures. There are heavy spiritual and religious undercurrents that flow through the story, tying her experiences together like taut twine. It's a fascinating tale from her teenage rebellion years all the way through her international travels, enjoying the good old day's of rock and roll and the hippie spirit. There's a hefty dose of psychic and spiritual pull to her journey that I won't spoil, but it certainly makes for an interesting read and pulls at your subconscious left and right. As a reader, I found it thought-provoking and a nice break from my usual reads.
I enjoyed the book and felt like I was riding along with Maureen and experiencing each adventure by her side. She is gifted when it comes to recounting experiences and always leaves the God-honest truth out there in the open which I appreciated. The pacing was steady and determined, carrying readers along her experience for the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. I particularly liked how gritty and honest she was when it came to less than pleasant customs in other countries. It got a healthy chuckle out of me. I appreciated that the story kept moving along but easily kept my attention as well. She didn't drag on at any point or speed up through important tidbits. It has been nice to be able to see the photographs so I could mesh with the world she'd described more."
Review from VERONICA
"Go Back Jack is a solid choice for an adventurous. The story is told by the author and protagonist, Maureen, and follows her life from early childhood through late adulthood. Readers see her blossom physically, emotionally, and spiritually along the way, picking up hints of her spunk and determination with each new experience. Maureen is very much a flower child, dead-set on the following life wherever it may take her. When she experiences some unexplained phenomena as a teen she must set out to investigate this new window that's been opened for her. It's fascinating as she recounts vivid memories and conversations of times far ago, searching for answers in the great beyond. She's tough, gritty, and honest. It's certainly refreshing to hear someone taking life by the horns and going after what they want whether it be answers or experiences.
The book was enjoyable and often entertaining, with Maureen easily putting the reader in her shoes and cluing them in on even the ugly parts of life. There are no skeletons to hide – just the truth out there in the open without apologies. Names and other revealing details have been skewed per the author, but she doesn't shy away from calling a spade a spade. Her voice is raw but the passion is there and readers can appreciate her journey of self-discovery from start to finish. The heavy notes of astrology and psychic abilities won't be everyone's cup of tea but it was interesting to hear about her experiences with them. The pictures have added more depth and understanding while enhancing to the reading experience of the book."
Review from KAITLYN
"Go Back Jack is a story, unlike anything I've read in the past, taking readers along the ride with Maureen, the eternal free spirit and wild child. Whether it's through visions or dialogue, Maureen is repeatedly drawn to the story of a man from many moons ago and desperately wants to know more. From a sleepy Canadian town to the streets of Mexico, readers are brought along as Maureen searches for clues of potential past life. The journey is everything from spiritual to wild with its fair share of illegal activities and grounding experiences. All the while Maureen keeps her eyes on the prize and keeps things going, finding the inner strength to continue on her journey. It's inspiring to stay the least and most definitely thought-provoking.
I enjoyed the book overall especially the photographs which made the story more authentic and added depth to the story. Also, I liked Maureen's approach to storytelling. She kept things real and left no stone untouched, revealing the underbelly of her lifetime and time again without apology. It's something rarely seen in a spiritual-type book and I found it quite refreshing. She wasn't afraid to expose sensitive spots for the world to see. I also liked her descriptive language when it came to explaining more intense “trips” to put it lightly. She brought things to life for readers that they otherwise would likely never experience for themselves. I also really liked how authentic each voice of Maureen was. Child Maureen was a child, teenage Maureen sounded like teenage Maureen, and so on. It was a nice bit of consistency that authors often miss the mark with. I found it a nice change of pace for a book and would love to read another of her books.
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