I'll Never Be Long Gone

by Thomas Christopher Greene

Book Overview

The lives of brothers Charlie and Owen Bender are changed forever on the night their father walks into the Vermont woods with a death wish and a shotgun. The second shock comes when his suicide note bequeaths the family's restaurant to Charlie alone, while leaving Owen with instructions to follow his own path, wherever it may take him.

Years later, the restaurant is a success. The void in Charlie's life, created by his beloved brother's absence,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006076581X
• ISBN13: 9780060765811
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

perfectly balanced

I'll Never Be Long Gone is Greene's second novel after the subtle and excellent Mirror Lake. I'll Never Be Long Gone is a gem of a book and Greene manages to seamlessly balance an intriguing story of familial bonds and betrayal with fluid and beautifully cadenced prose. Comparisons to books like Plainsong or Peace Like a River are well deserved. While the subject matter of Greene's novel differs his story does share the same sensibilities and he succeeds in creating the same depth in his characters. Greene is also a master of smaller moments, those scenes or passages that build the characters without ever seeming anecdotal. There are numerous paragraphs that beg to be read over and over for their skill and fluidity. The restaurant /culinary dimension of the novel radiates throughout, anchors it to some extent but never takes the edge off of this powerful and biblical tale. Greene has delivered on the promise of Mirror Lake and leaves me wondering what he'll do next. Whatever it is, I'll be hitting the bookstore as soon as it's released.

A writer of promise

I'll Never Be Long Gone demonstrates Mr. Greene's steady progress as a novelist. His characters are well developed, and he shows considerable creativity and power in his use of descriptive language. The subtext of cooking I found particularly enjoyable, and it imbued the work with passion and detail. My one regret came at the conclusion. I wished there had been more closure to the relationships. Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. I am looking forward to Mr. Greene's next novel.

(...) cookin' in northern Vermont

Dottie is dotty. Off her nut. This is a magnificent piece of fiction; Greene's masterful brushstrokes paint a rich portrait of one of the most beautiful parts of the world, and into this scene he weaves complex, if not horny, characters in the classic romantic/tragic mold. The Washington Post reviewer is clearly a frustrated (unpublished) author with too-ready access to a thesaurus. I am recommending this book to anyone who will listen. 5 stars, dottie. Snap!

Another perfect vision of Vermont

Mr. Greene's second novel shares many similarities with his first effort. His writing is poetic and compelling and his themes of love, betrayal, and understanding resonate throughout. This time around, Greene has created a wonderfully believeable setting in a samll restaurant where much of the drama occurs. He achieves a great deal through his dramatic descriptions of setting, and his cooking scenes literally made my mouth water. He describes the ruggedness and beauty of the Vermont landscape like few before him. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to more work from this gifted young novelist.

a moving, lyrical novel

Green writes beautifully about love and loss, family, food, and the hills of Vermont. Reminded me of PLAINSONG with its understated language and the strong sense of character. One of the best novels I've read this year.