More Like Not Running Away

by Paul Shepherd

[A] haunting novel. . . . This book brims with the poetry of the working class, seldom sung lyrics of working men and women. --from the introduction by Larry Woiwode "Shepherd is a master craftsman, and the subtlety of his art, the unassuming elegance of its architecture, rendered me spellbound and finally grateful. I don't think I shall ever forget this fine book, its honest, guileless voice leading me along into the fire."--Bob Shacochis "A riveting...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932511288
• ISBN13: 9781932511284
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Sarabande Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Revealing

Shepherd reveals to us with an almost unnerving eloquence those feelings that we have all had in childhood. My breath is literally taken away and I have to pause after a passage, remembering how it was. There are moments in your life when you are let down as you are growing up, Shepherd describes this as a cool feeling... as though a hand that has been over your heart is now removed. You will want to savor this wonderfully written book. I am eagarly awaiting Paul Shepherd's next work.

Bravo !

Having read this book, I can assure you that your only regret will be reaching the final page. These are characters you will never forget. Moments in this book will remain with me forever, such as Levi driving with his Father. Like the others who reviewed this novel, I cannot wait to see where Paul Shepherd will take us next.

More like good writing

I enjoyed this book so much. It's not what I normally would read but after meeting Paul at the local library, I was intrigued enough to buy his book. He's an excellent writer, and I would love to read more of his work. The story of Levi is told with such compassion that I even felt sorry for the lad by the end of the story. He truly had an incredible life that seemed almost real. Barbara Joe-Williams author of "Dancing with Temptation"

A dream of a read

I was completely swept away by this book. The voice is so smooth, and the characters so endearing, I found myself going along for the ride. The way the novel enters a child's point of view, and you see Levi's absorption of his father's values (doing things well, building a strong house, not shirking work or duty) as well as sheltering (and sometimes shuddering from) his father's overwhelming, almost epic, temperment, created an all too realistic picture of the vulnerable imprint of parent to child, as well as the ways in which economic hardship wreaks its own damage on families. In the same way the movie My Life as a House explored the connection between intact home and family, this book takes you through intimate domestic territory while it opens you up to stunning vistas from rooftops to the blank slate of the open road. A great book about fathers and sons, about belief, about will, about money and honor, and about the quiet heroism of simply being there when no one else has the fortitude to do so.