Nathan's Run [Large Print] [Hardcover]

John Gilstrap (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1996

Twelve-year-old Nathan, an escapee from a juvenile detention center who has been accused of killing a guard, becomes the center of a national dialogue on violent youth crime, the object of a nationwide manhunt, and the target of a professional killer. A first novel. 100,000 first printing. $200,000 ad/promo. Tour.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Twelve-year-old Nathan Bailey, accused of murdering a cop, becomes the target of a nationwide manhunt even as a vicious hit man is closing in on him. Orphaned and alone, Nathan has no one to count on but himself. To stay alive he must exercise all his agility and cleverness. And ironically, he finds his honesty is the best weapon he has as he wins the trust of a radio talk-show host and pleads his case to a rapt nation. This debut novel by John Gilstrap has created an international sensation. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA. If John Grisham and Charles Dickens were to collaborate, this book could be the result, for The Client and Oliver Twist both come to mind when reading Gilstrap's first novel. It's a page-turner with a star-crossed, brave young hero. Nathan, a 12-year-old orphan, is locked up in a juvenile-detention center after stealing a car belonging to his no-good guardian. The boy escapes after killing a guard in self defense, and eludes police with a combination of limited street smarts and dumb luck. While holed up in a vacant house, he tunes into a call-in radio show on which he is the topic of discussion. After hearing a number of adults condemn his behavior, he calls the show and tells his side of the story. YAs will appreciate the courage Nathan shows in confronting his accusers, explaining the circumstances of his actions and convincing many listeners that he is not a killer. The authorities consider Nathan a cop killer and he must keep moving, unaware that a hit man is also on his trail. One officer investigates Nathan's side of the story. It's a race between the good cop and the contract killer to see who finds the boy first. Readers are left to ponder his ultimate fate. A riveting read.?Nancy Karst, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 506 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Pr; Lrg edition (June 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786206896
• ISBN-13: 978-0786206896
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,164,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Gilstrap is the New York Times bestselling author of Threat Warning (July, 2011), Hostage Zero, No Mercy, Nathan's Run, At All Costs, Even Steven, Scott Free and Six Minutes to Freedom. In addition, John has written four screenplays for Hollywood, adapting the works of Nelson DeMille, Norman McLean and Thomas Harris. Most recently, he has signed two movie deals for his books. He will write and co-produce the film adaptation of his book, Six Minutes to Freedom, and executive produce the film adaptation of Scott Free.

A frequent speaker at literary events, John also teaches seminars on suspense writing techniques at a wide variety of venues, from local libraries to The Smithsonian Institution. Outside of his writing life, John is a renowned safety expert with extensive knowledge of explosives, hazardous materials, and fire behavior. He currently works as the director of safety for a large trade association in Washington, DC. John lives in Fairfax, VA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Go Nathan, Go!, November 28, 2000

By 

A. Wolverton (Crofton, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nathan's Run (Mass Market Paperback)

Nathan's Run is a very good thriller about a 12-year old boy who escapes from a youth detention center after killing a guard in self-defense. (Or was it self-defense???) In an ordinary thriller, the author would follow a formula that the reader would probably be able to easily figure out. That doesn't happen here. Gilstrap gives us just enough information to keep us turning the pages to find out what happens to Nathan next. All is not as it seems in Nathan's life. Anxious to tell someone his story, Nathan telephones a national radio talk show. Improbable? Maybe. Maybe not. But it is suspenseful and riveting.

Nathan's Run may not be for everyone. There's lots of violence and profanity, but there's also quite a lot that Gilstrap has to say about our society and where we're headed. Also Nathan is one of the most unforgettable characters in adult fiction. A good read, but not a great ending, thus earning four stars instead of five.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Plot, Bad Ramble, January 7, 2002

By 

"cautro" (WI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nathan's Run (Mass Market Paperback)

Gilstrap happens to be one of my favorite authors, and Nathan's Run was a great story. The plot of a young 12 year old boy who murders a Juvinille Detention Supervisor and becomes a fugitive of the law is gripping and thrilling. Gilstarp does a have a problem getting off a subject though. If you want a great book in the same genre, by the same author try At All Costs (Read my review on it). Overall this was a great book, if you have the time to read it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Runaway success, June 17, 2000

By 

"paul_kgb" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nathan's Run (Mass Market Paperback)

An excellent book from a first time writer. The blurb on the back compared the writer to John Grisham which is a bit unfair as I found Nathan's Run more enjoyable than the other JG's efforts.

The book is fast paced and you can relate to the characters. The story is well thought out and structured. The writing style is undemanding as it should be for a book of this type.

Definately one of the best action books I have read. It would actually translate into an excellent movie.