In this concise, well-designed handbook, management consultant Glenn De Gama shares lessons he has learned on his journey through life. Using the metaphor of the ocean diamond as a linking device, De Gama offers his thoughts on subjects including shame, guilt, creativity, love, life, and death. As the author states, “The ocean diamond teaches us that when faced with the might of the waves, one can either be washed ashore or shine brighter with every toss and turn.” By De Gama’s reckoning, any obstacle encountered on life’s pathway is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Each chapter is headed by an elegant illustration and a pertinent aphorism from a disparate selection of notable figures including Dave Chappelle, Maya Angelou, and Henry David Thoreau. There is also a stanza from a long poem concerning the creation of ocean diamonds between each section. Lines like, “Varied isotopes, a narrative bold / Formed deep within Earth’s layered fold / Mirroring our own journeys, diverse and uncontrolled,” reiterate De Gama’s lessons and maintain the geological theme throughout the book.
Though there is little contained within FRAGILE DIAMONDS that could be considered new or groundbreaking, De Gama brings a winning positivity to his prose. Throughout the book, the author is always looking for new ways to find the best outcome from potentially negative experiences. As he writes, “I’ve found it beneficial to approach scenarios with a predisposed positive lens. By doing so, even when life throws a curveball, I’m more inclined to find the silver lining.”
FRAGILE DIAMONDS is a very personal book, rooted in the author’s own trials. This is its main weakness, as De Gama focuses so completely on how he felt and how he reacted that there is little space given to practically exploring how his experience could usefully translate to others. As such, the work becomes less of a “how-to” manual or spiritual advice book and more an exercise in personal therapy. In many ways, this is a missed opportunity. De Gama’s prose is clear and focused, but the emphasis is always on the personal—rather than a more empathetic outlook, which could benefit a wider readership. As suggested by the book’s subtitle, this is a very self-reflective work. FRAGILE DIAMONDS may act as a source of inspiration for those with personal struggles, but readers looking for practical, actionable life tips may be disappointed.
Glenn De Gama’s FRAGILE DIAMONDS: Reflections on What Matters Most is a well-designed and concise guide to the author’s personal life experiences.
~Kent Lane for IndieReader