Customer Reviews

Drifting South

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Charles Davis is definitely a good story teller. He is fantastic with words and paints a picture of the story very well; from the beginning describing Benjamin Purdue's birth, to the end where Davis finalizes Benjamin's story. The characters were captivating and the author did a good job making the characters colorful and realistic. The descriptions made me feel like it would be fun to meat the characters and visit the town of Shady.

Although Davis is creative with his words and story line, I only gave it 3 stars for a few reasons. One main reason is that I felt like the author left some things in the story unresolved. I won't go into detail as I don't want to give away those story lines but I would like to emphasize that they left me wondering if the author forgot to address some things later.

The other reason for the 3-stars is the part where Benjamin met the God named Helen. The whole story line of that event seemed like such a huge derailment from the theme of the story that it took me off guard. That being said, it seemed like the author had more of an agenda to put forth than a reason for this departure because there was no moral to that part of the story. Furthermore, I found it odd that Benjamin spent so much time reading the Bible and out of no where the God he meets is named Helen!? After so much time reading the Bible, wouldn't Benjamin have questioned the dream based on the fact that his dream gave God a gender and an earthly name?

At first I wasn't quite sure if I would like this book. I thought it started out quite slow. The author writes a lengthy description on the early life of the main character, Benjamin Perdue. So if you pick up this book...don't put it down. Once the storyline gets going, you will be surprised in the twists and turns. It makes for a good, interesting read. I do have to agree, though, with the previous reviewer. There were a couple of things that he left hanging that I still wonder about. I hate when that happens.

I don't read very often happen to find this book waiting on a plane fell in love never set it down. Very moving in a sense that good always follows evil. MUST READ

I am so happy I discovered Charles Davis. I loved the story in Angel's Rest and was delighted to find Mr. Davis is not a one-book wonder. I agree that the dream of God Helen seemed a separate part of the story, but it was part of Ben's evolving. I'd love to hear the author talk about that, perhaps in a blog. I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates good writing and a good story with an ending that leaves one satisfied.

He spent two decades and one year behind bars for a crime he did not commit. Now finally in 1980 Ben Purdue leaves the Harrisburg Federal Penitentiary where he spent much of his time in protective custody after two inmates tried to kill him. He knows someone wants him dead; most likely tied back to the felony that led to his incarceration. Still in spite of the danger of going home where the source of his assassin probably resides, he needs to learn the fate of his mom and brothers following the shooting that led to his incarceration; which means going to the place he loathes more than prison, his hometown Shady Hollow, Virginia.

In Shady, Ben learns his family is all buried. Used to being alone due to his imprisonment, Ben mourns their death but easily deals with the solitude. He seeks to learn the truth about that fateful September day in 1959 that changed his world from a teen with hope to a bitter felon. Even more so he needs to know why his family resides in graves. The Shady "Keepers", people who he should have been able to trust from the girl he loved to the preacher to the law were involved, but someone wants him to join his family before the truth surfaces.

This is a terrific character driven suspense thriller that grips the audience from the moment Prison Officer Dollinger explains to Henry (Ben) that he is being released a few days early so whoever wants him dead will not kill him in the penitentiary. The story line never loses that level of intensity as Ben affirms that you can never go home as the memory never existed and besides what is accurate no longer lives at least in his case. The tension mounts with each revelation as an obsessed Ben needs to know as does fans who will relish Charles Davis' strong thriller in one concentrated sitting.

Harriet Klausner

Wonderful character and story - the type of book you can't wait to get into bed to read at night! Great topic for a book group discussion as well.

I agree with other reviewers that this book took a bit to get going (could have been my own fidgety mood though). However, do NOT stop at the beginning! The writing is flawless: Davis creates characters we truly understand through his descriptions. He does not give frivolous details, nor does he leave anything essential out. The author's command of syntax is incredible, pushing and pulling the reader in all the right places.

I disagree with other reviewers that question the introduction of Benjamin's interactions with Helen. I think it added a hopeful aspect for readers to cling to. That being said, I do not like the clear disparity between Benjamin's time in the Bible and then the fictional creation of Helen. I would have preferred to see Jesus Christ over Helen. However, it is always a critical error to review what wasn't rather than what was. So, I will simply say that was weird and, on it's own, would have been off-putting to me on a theological level. On a writing level, I understand the need for a female force like Helen and the subplot of that aspect of the story. I agree with the author's creation and inclusion of it. At the very least, it's fun to think through!

There are definitely unanswered questions at the end of the story, but I find that to be part of the ultimate satisfaction. I'm not still hungry in any way, but enjoy drifting back to my lingering questions - exactly as Benjamin ends up doing so many times. I think Davis did this on purpose for us to be more interwoven with the character. I think part of the theme for Benjamin and reader is "I don't know, but this is where I am anyway and I'm content." That idea plays along well with Mary vs. Amanda Lynn, too. (Content vs. regretful)

Not only is this a great story, but it's very well-written and lends itself oh-so-well to discussion.

If you enjoyed this book, you should also check out Peace Like a River.

I am so happy I found this new author!!! what a wonderful book, not the same ole same ole story, the twists and turns in this story will keep you turning the page!!! I couldn't put it down. Can't wait to see what he has in store for us with the next one!!!

I couldn't believe how bad this book was. The author had to be drunk, drugged or hallucinating. It was absolutely ridiculous and wandered here, there and everywhere. I have been reading books for over 70 years and I have never read anything as ridiculous as this. It was simple awful!