Now listen, I know that Tom Morrisey has written a lot of books. He writes really well, has excellent characterization and doesn't ramble. That should make for a most excellent story.I kept reading and reading expecting every time I turned the page to get out of the introduction and into the body of the story. I never got there. The whole think kept leading up, and leading up and didn't go anywhere. I don't want to be harsh. I loved the characters and I loved the depiction of a a really old man going on a last journey into the mountains. It was an excellent character study. But, don't believe what you read on the back cover. You'll just have to read through three quarters of the novel first, and to wait to the last few chapters to get to the exciting part. By the time I got there, I was tired of waiting.
On the other hand, it is well written and it keeps your attention. It is just different. It is not suspense, it is not a love story, it is not any particular genre. It is a character study. If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE
Tom Morrisey is a mountaineer, aviator, shipwreck diver, and explorer, who holds a Full Cave certification from the National Speleological Society - Cave Diving Section. He has launched, edited or contributed to numerous national publications and is an award-winning adventure-travel writer. A popular speaker, he is also active in both evangelism and the arts. Morrisey earned an MFA in creative writing from Bowling Green State University, and his fiction has been featured in numerous anthologies and magazines. His first novel, Yucatan Deep (Zondervan, 2002) was a finalist for the Christy award, and he is the author of four other novels: In High Places (Bethany House Publishers, 2007), Dark Fathom (Zondervan, 2005), Deep Blue, (Zondervan 2004), and Turn Four (Zondervan 2004). In addition Tom has also written two nonfiction books: 20 American Peaks & Crags (Contemporary Books, 1978) and Wild by Nature (Baker Books, 2001). He and his family live in Orlando, Florida.
2 comments:
Perceptive review, Gina (although I might beg to differ about the 75% intro part!). You are absolutely correct that this is a genre-bender. I have heard it referred to as “character-driven suspense” and that is probably close to correct.
My last novel (IN HIGH PLACES, released in hardcover and now out in paperback) was written in first person, and for WIND RIVER I wanted to go to the complete opposite. It’s not only a third-person point of view; it is third-person deep objective. What that means is we don’t get to hear what anybody is thinking, unless they say it aloud. So if I want to show that someone is frustrated, for instance, I have to demonstrate that it, say, the way they cook dinner.
I am getting a few “Huhs?” in reviews, but for the most part folks are liking the book or, like you, really liking the writing even as they try to figure out, “What genre is this, anyhow?”
I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your thoughts.
Blessings on you and yours,
Tom Morrisey
Thank you so much for stopping by, Tom. I really appreicate your comment. It says "Hey, I hear you."
Most of the time people just never listen to comments and really all we want is the "I hear you." That may not make any sense to anyone except those who have spent frustrating time at the Motor Vehicles Division or talked to the IRS lately.
You are probably right... it might have only been 50% of the way. It was a long wait, though, but worth it.
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