Tilting at Windmills

by Joseph Pittman

Book Overview

This lyrical debut novel celebrates the joys and tears of love lost and found, and of a life renewed--in a most unexpected place. . . At thirty-four, Brian Duncan has it all. A trendy Manhattan life, a high-powered PR job, and a gorgeous fiancee with an exciting future of her own. Then, in a single moment of deception, Brian's world crumbles. Bitterly betrayed, he decides to toss away all he has worked for. Irresistibly drawn to the road, he leaves...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758266731
• ISBN13: 9780758266736
• Release Date: September 2011
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Life and Love Found

I found Joseph Pittman's writing style to be very compelling. I was drawn into the story immediately, and became friendly with the personalities in the story as soon as they were introduced. Mr. Pittman has an ease of writing that keeps the story moving forward and a style that takes you to the Hudson Valley of upstate New York. While reading I wanted to get into my car and find Linden Corners and the folk who lived there. The story is never predictable, but keeps you moving and waiting to see what will happen next. I highly recommend the adventure and warmth of "Tilting At Windmills" to all.

You should buy this book

I don't read lots of fiction, but my wife had picked up Pittman's book, and I was getting ready to take a trip, so I took it with me -- which was a great decision. It's easy to read and compelling from the start. I also found that I "understood" and cared about the characters pretty quickly. In fact, the depth of the characterization was one of my favorite things about Windmills, along with Pittman's ability to keep the story moving without short-shrifting us on detail. I also appreciated his ability to be both sensitive and sardonic, sometimes at the same time. If you're on the fence, I'd encourage you to give this a try.

A pleasant and satisfying ride

I am always looking for a book with a good story, and depend on recommendations from others to find it. I recommend this book to you as a good story. As I read, I felt as if I was on a boat ride and the story was pulling me along. I cared about the characters and enjoyed watching the people of Linden Corners charm Brian into staying in town. I read eagerly to see if everyone would get what they wanted. Joseph Pittman has a relaxed, easy writing style that makes this book extremely enjoyable. I look forward to his next book!

Real Voice, Cutting Humor

If you only have time to pick up a handful of books each year as I do, you had better make them count. That's why I get very disappointed when I buy an overhyped book, and thrilled when I find a gem like this one. Can't believe it's a first novel--the narrator's voice is comfortable and unpretentious--like talking to an old friend. And his humor cuts through the action of the book with some wicked irony and references to pop culture, without undermining the emotional flow. Very, very enjoyable!

A poignant romance

After seven years at the Beckford Group as an executive, Brian Duncan believes he has everything. He is quite good at his work, which he enjoys. He loves and plans to marry his peer at the company Maddy Chason. The only bad thing that recently has happened to Brian is catching hepatitis, leaving him home bound for six weeks while Maddy and their boss Justin Warfield pursues a major contract.However, as Brian recovers his health, he goes over to visit Maddy, only to see her in bed with Justin. Brian leaves without making a scene, quits his job, and drops Maddy. Next Brian leaves New York heading up the Hudson in search of something to believe in. When he notices a windmill, he decides to stop. There he meets a child Janey Sullivan and her mother Annie. As Brian finds himself not wanting to leave Linden Corners because of the women in his life, he begins to heal, not yet aware that his greatest test is soon to come.TILTING AT WINDMILLS is a powerful relationship drama that readers will enjoy due to Brian, an empathetic hero, seeking a new life to reinvigorate his soul. The story line is moving and poignant, touching heartstrings, especially the ending. The support cast in Manhattan and in Linden Falls supplements the readers' insight into Brian although the characters in the former seem too sinful and in the latter too pure. Joseph Pittman provides his audience with a deep look inside the soul of a lost person desperately seeking something or someone to hold onto forever.Harriet Klausner