Once You Go Back: A Novel [Paperback]

Douglas Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

In 2000, Douglas A. Martin burst onto the American literary scene with his sexy debut novel, Outline of My Lover. Following up with three more books, including Branwell, a novel of the Brontë brother, Martin has established himself as an acclaimed and distinctive American writer of the new century. His semi-autobiographical novel Once You Go Back is about growing up in a strained working-class household transplanted to the South. In his inimitably elliptical and evocative style, Martin carefully brings out the curiosity of children on the verge of becoming sexual, and their confusion in the midst of family violence.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

DOUGLAS A. MARTIN is the author of Branwell; Outline of My Lover (selected by Colm Toibin as International Book of the Year in The Times Literary Supplement); They Change the Subject, a book of stories; and In the Time of Assignments, a book of poetry. Born in Virginia in 1973, and raised in Georgia, he now lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583228780
• ISBN-13: 978-1583228784
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,419,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an absorbing tale of childhood, August 25, 2009

By 

Carolyn Matthews (England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once You Go Back: A Novel (Paperback)

The reader is drawn into this book from the very first sentence and quickly becomes totally involved in this story of a boy growing up in a home where, amidst much confusion and insecurity, he never quite feels he belongs.

The book moves quickly from one episode to the next, in a series of stories, like a series of snapshots, with the absence of the boy's real father being a theme that runs through the book. The scenes are so beautifully and poetically written, and with so much feeling that it becomes a book that you simply won't be able to put down.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, original prose, December 4, 2011

By 

Benjamin (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Once You Go Back: A Novel (Paperback)

In this semi-autobiographical novel Douglas A Martin tells of his growing up in a dysfunctional family in America's South. His father has left, his mother eventually remarries, they struggle financially and relations are strained with his step-father. but Douglas loves his mother and is very close to his younger sister, and it is to the latter that the book is addressed - note: while written occasional in the second person the book is predominately written in the first person.

The account covers from as early as Douglas can remember to his graduating from high school, and reveals his closeness with his sister, his stepfather's disdain of his sissy ways, and his ups and downs through school and to his first boy friends.

But what is outstanding about his book is the writing, original, succinct, yet creating very much the aura of a confused young boy growing up in difficult circumstances. The sentences are often short, disjointed, but always evocative - sometimes I had to re-read to get the true sense of the meaning, although that was never a hardship for there is a beauty in the writing that rewards.

This is a touching and moving account conveyed in unique prose, and has prompted me immediately to order the author's first book, An Outline of My Lover, his fictionalised account of his relationship with the singer Michael Stipe.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing, November 25, 2011

By 

Daryl Gainnes - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Once You Go Back: A Novel (Paperback)

This novel changed my life. I was at the lowest spot I'd been in for awhile, and everything was going to hell. From the first sentence, "Pretend you are my sister," I knew this was what would help me get through the day.

I think I read it straight through. I cried, I smiled, I felt safe. Enjoyed it so much that I bought several copies for family and friends for birthday and holiday presents.

I'm not sure what I can say about the text. Saying it's poetic takes away from Martin's mastery of words, and his ability to convey emotion. He's subtle, yet there's no mistake about every action that happens. The reader feels.

I think it's a must read for any aspiring writer, especially ones interested in writing about GLBTQ themes. Dancers should read this too...