Littlejohn

by Howard Owen

Book Overview

Now available in paperback, comes a successful and beautifully-written novel about a decent North Carolina farmer haunted by errors and redeemed by faith. Painstakingly honest, Littlejohn is "a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679750010
• ISBN13: 9780679750017
• Release Date: August 1994
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 246 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

An overwhelming read that will touch your soul.

I was a bit apprehensive when someone first told me about this book. Normally, I read action and adventure thrillers but I was convinced to read this book. By the time I finished the book, I was overwhelmed at the life that Littlejohn lived. This book is a fascinating read for anyone who wishes they could take something back that they did wrong in their lives. I know I wish I could take certain things back but after you read this novel, you will have a new perspective on your mistakes. Definitley a must read.

A moving look into a life that we have not seen.

Lttlejohn is a man with a past. He feels a guilt he carries with him all his life. Howard Owen gets into this man and gives him to the reader as a man you would love to know, be with, talk to and love. The insight into how he has to live with his memory of shooting and killing his brother, his unknowing marrage to his brother's child and the shame of going through most of his life not able to read and write. Intertwined are reflections from his daughter about her life and her life with her father and her love for him. We meet his 15 year old grandson and are treated to the thoughts and reactions of his short time with him and with the problems he has with his own life. Grandpa teaches him in a kind understanding way. This book has had a stong impact on my life and how I now look at older people and wonder about stories they could tell. Howard owen has done us all a great service by giving us Littlejohn.

Littlejohn Review 4/14/98

Howard Owen's Littlejohn is a novel written from three contrasting perspectives. Each narrative voice represents a different generation of the McCain family tree. The foremost narrative voice is that of Littlejohn McCain, a lifelong farmer from North Carolina. The youngest perspective is that of Justin, Littlejohn's grandson, and the third is that of Justin's mother, Georgia. Howard Owen's utilization of a varying narrative voice adds to the developement of characters, and allows the reader to form a three-dimensional understanding of the McCain family. The novel brings farming, the teenage experience, and family death all to one stage. As a sixteen year-old male, I found the development of Justin's character to be very accurate. Howard Owen's portrayal of the modern teen reveals the author's extreme adaptability in his work.

Cannot put it down

I am a student at St. George's School, Newport, Rhode Island. I have read "Littlejohn" for my English class. I am impressed with "Littlejohn" every much, even though when I started to read, I was confused with voices of narrators. I love two strategies of the author. The first is switching of narrative voices; you will find that there are three narrative voices--Littlejohn, Georgia (his daughter), and Justin (his grandson). This strategy of Howard Owen accomplishes to make the reader understand the story and makes this book interesting. Each voice of narrators shows his character as well as the language that used in different generation. We can understand the story better from many characters' point of views. The another strategy is that telling story is not in order. This strategy brings me to concentrate on the story. If you do not pay attention to this book, you will find that you get lost. I found that I concentrated while I was reading and this makes me enjoy reading "Littlejohn." besides the appealing story of Littlejohn. After I read the second chapter, I could not put it down. If you read "Littlejohn," you will find that it is one of the most interesting book.

One of the most entertaining books I've ever read

Littlejohn is a farmer in North Carolina who is reviewinghis life as he is lying on his deathbed. I felt like I wassitting there with him as he was telling me his story. I opened the book randomly and started reading and I couldn't put put it down. I finished it and thenwent back and read it again from start to finish. I could hear Littlejohn's voice as I was reading - a little bit of drawl, the pauses and hesitations and the emotions as he remembers the painful moments of his life. When the end finally comes I felt like I had lost a good friend and wise man.