Heading Out to Wonderful
Jun 13, 2012

Heading Out to Wonderful
Author: Robert Goolrick
Publisher: Algonquin
Publication Date: June 12, 2012
ISBN: 978-1565129238

This book is a thing of beauty to read.  Long flowing passages of exquisite phrasing.   The words tumble and flow and seep into your brain in such a way you forget you're reading a book... at times you are IN the story, watching from the sidelines, nodding yes, silently yelling "No!".

This is a story of a man, Charlie, lost in the world and looking for a dream.  He isn't even sure what his dream is, he just knows he hasn't found it yet.

His past is a complete mystery.  He shows up in a small Virginia town in 1948 and is welcomed into the arms of the townspeople.  He's polite, charming, social... a welcome addition.  He's taken under the wing of the local butcher, his wife and their 5 year old son, Sam - who immediately latches on to Charlie and proceeds to practically live with him.

Then Charlie finds his dream........... only she happens to be the young wife of the town's richest man.

Things go well for a while, then, as happens in stories like this, they go very bad.

The story weaves quite a few characters in and around Charlie, rounding them out fully and making you feel you know them.  The author touches on the racial issues of that time and the invisible to some - not so invisible to others - line between blacks and whites.  I will say that a passage on page 144 is absolutely heart wrenching.

I found myself angry at the end of the story.  Angry at the characters.  Their complacency and selfishness directly affects a very young boy, bringing about the possible ruination of his life and guides his actions as he grows to adulthood.

I was angry at them, and scowled and grumbled.  I held a grudge against several of them, one not easily let go of. Now... isn't that the sign of a very well written story?

_______________________

Robert is doing some events in the south, here are the details:



________________________________________________
Reviewed by Idgie. If you would like to have the Dew review a book, please contact me at dewonthekudzu@gmail.com

<< Home