Quantum Leap: The Wall

This is one of McConnell's stronger entries in the series and touches on points that would have worked well in an episode of Quantum Leap. Child Abuse, tinkering with known history and Sam's own discomfort at being in the body of a female are all familiar themes seen in Quantum Leap. Some reviewers call this all gimmicky, but I think the gimmick, if there is one, works. Definitely a must read, must have if you collect the series.

Ashley McConnell managed to turn me off in her interpretation of "Quantum Leap" in "Quantum Leap: The Novel." To make a long story short, my expectations of the book were nowhere near what I got out of it. But keeping an open mind, I decided to go ahead and read "The Wall," thinking it had some promise. Luckily, it *did,* and I'm glad I had the foresight to pull it off the shelf. "The Wall" discusses the serious issues of the Cold War, child abuse, and alcoholism with a very intellectual tone; much different than anything I had read in McConnell's first book. Unlike the first attempt, you can actually read it thinking, "Yeah, I can actually see Sam thinking/doing that here," instead of the sometimes irrelevant fluff that comes out of other stories. Instead of giving readers a cut and dry Leaping scenario, McConnell allows time for analysis and different outcomes. Yes, yes, I mean to say there's an actual, well-thought plot! There was enough detail in it to keep me from wondering, "Well gee, wouldn't (insert name here) have something to say abut that?" (which is nice if you're one of those analytical types like myself), yet it wasn't annoyingly bombarding with the sidenotes and tidbits that are at times cute, but usually serve no purpose. You can read this book and get something out of it, seeing as how it's such a serious subject. Yet it doesn't detract from all the usual fun things in the "Quantum Leap" universe. You've still got Al, Ziggy, and the whole crew at the Project to lend comic relief, support, and sometimes add to the drama. If ever come across this one, take the time to read it. It's one of the better ones in the series.

Ashley McConnell has once again out done herself. The Wall is a highly charged book. Sam leaps into a 6 year old child called Missy Robicheaux. The date is 1961, and the location is Germany. He finds himselve in a family of fear. The mother is a drunk and beats her children, the father is in the service and during the pre war is away, while the older brother has had enought of it all and if given the possiblity, would leave his mother to over dose. At the project Beeks has her hands full. A young terrified Missy is stuck in a mans body and waiting to be punished for being away from home. With pressure from higher up, Al is trying to push Sam into a leap solution which to Sam doesn't feel right. Seen as young and naughty, Sam must save the family, himselve and if possible Germany. And just when everything is drawing to a close, Sam leaps once again into Missy's life as an adult. The book is excellent and one which I have read again and again. It deals indepth with the project side of the leaps and as well as what happens mentally to the leapee during and after the leap. The topic of the Wall, is still for some a hard one to comprehend, and this book gives a small in sght into what it would have been like for the people living in this time. I highly recomment this book to any Quantum Leap fan or any one else wanting to read a good Book.

I enjoyed the story line. I know a lot didn't like the idea of it being Sam's mind that leaped, but it worked in this story. Good writing, good story.