Focus Puller by Daniel Hess is a fictional coming-of-age account of a character named Ben. It spans decades and covers a wide range of human strength and flaws in their authentic form; ranging from health, relationships, career, and sexuality to family, friendship, and the decisions we make.

Ben’s story unfolds in a non-linear manner. The narrative goes back and forth, with a view into Ben’s present life and flashbacks to Ben’s childhood and boyhood days. What may have looked seemingly small and impactless to Ben in the past, has shaped his present life in many ways.

How did it make me feel?

The Narrative

Focus Puller is a simple yet effective story-telling by Daniel Hess. If you were to ask me to tell you the summary of this book, I wouldn’t be able to do so. Because it’s not a story that can be summarized. It is a story of ‘being’; being an unabashedly, imperfect human. And this is the story we can all relate to.

The Characters

Focus Puller has multiple POVs, Ben, and his girlfriend Lily being the key in this story. However, what I found fascinating was a random insertion of characters by author Hess, that played parts in Ben’s and Lily’s life at some point in their lives. Even though these characters are not memorable in themselves, they play an important role in establishing Ben’s character.

Coming to Ben’s character, he is as unpretentious as the story. This is not the character you will remember for life, but this is a character you will find in every other face around you. I love the authenticity of it all.

Would I recommend it?

Focus Puller is a first of its kind for me. If you’re looking for a fresh, simple story-telling that leaves you with a proclivity for introspection, definitely go for this one. 

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