In the tradition of To Kill a Mockingbird, The Pact explores the frustrations and joys of a boy as he learns the fallibility of adults and the subsequent loss of youthful innocence.
The Pact (MVP)
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In his powerfully evoked debut, Roers portrays the childhood experiences that shape the lives of two brothers, Michael and Ron Dougherty, and their friend Ricky Stedman, during the late 1940s in Minneapolis. The world Roers describes radiates with youthful innocence as the boys rush to buy "suicide cokes," build snow castles, attend free-dish night at the movies and "car hop," a form of water-skiing on ice. This complacent yet fragile state soon shatters, however, as Michael and Ron come to recognize the "fallibility and torment of adults"; their father has a drinking problem. Whereas Ron responds with anger and even plans a water-balloon raid on the local bar, Michael and his infinitely understanding mother accept Pat Dougherty's alcoholism with sadness and hope. Unfortunately, Pat's drinking problem increases, and he becomes more abusive. As Mrs. Dougherty struggles to make the toughest decision of her life about the man she can't help loving, Michael clings to his unique friendship with Ricky, a delicate and tender-hearted youth who harbors a terrifying secret about his own family. Longing for stability and a caring environment, the two boys confide in one another and make a pact that Michael will soon regret. Roers shows great skill at maintaining the momentum of his storytelling and the tension between his characters. Through smooth prose, a splash of humor and concise but effective details, he sweeps the reader onto empathetic, emotional white water, joining these sensitively portrayed characters as they cascade from youthful insouciance to rage, pity and remorse. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reality--Charged,
By "listener22" (Stillwater, Mn. USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Pact (MVP) (Paperback)
The Pact, by Walter J. Roers, is a powerful book. I started reading it one morning, and by early afternoon, when I finished it, I was emotionally charged. This is unusual for me, because the novels I usually delve into are real-life ones. In my work, people come to me and pour out their life stories, their hopes, fears, and dreams. When I go home after work, it is more likely that I will chop firewood for exercise than sit down with a work of fiction. I had been slow to pick up the book. Once I did, it held me to the end. So I asked myself why this novel stirred passion in me. It may be that the story is real, or drawn faithfully from real-life experiences. An eight-year-old boy, Michael Dougherty, tells us of his struggles in his alcoholic family and his saving alliance with his best friend. Or, it may be that the author pulled me into the story through a skillful combination of the plot, family dynamics, and the believable emotional reactions of the characters. Whatever the combination of factors, the result gave me the feel of "real life," similar to my experiences with clients.The progression of alcoholism in a family is not a new story. The disappointments, hope, despair, and redemption have been described before. This work may be unique in that the drama is described through the eyes of an eight year-old boy. His innocence is refreshing, and his struggle to hang on to a relationship with his dad is a study in ambivalence. At the end of the book, I found myself wishing for a talk with Michael Dougherty. I would ask him more about how he survived. Some people I know are eager to find the secret to survival in his family.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Author's first book very impressive indeed.,
By Robert May (Crystal, MN USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Pact (MVP) (Paperback)
Mr Roers has movingly written about two small boys and the sad sequence of events that shaped them for the rest of their lives.Mr Roers' has followed an excellent dictate indeed. He has written about events that, while fictional, have basis in his own experience. In short, he has written about that which he knows. I am saddened by the fact that this impressive first work is not receving the exposure that it deserves. Its publisher has run into financial difficulties and has not had the resources to adequately publicize it. This book clearly deserves better.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fine debut novel,
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This review is from: The Pact (MVP) (Paperback)
In this debut novel, the first of what one hopes to be many more from this writer, Walter J Roers has skillfully crafted a novel full of the reminiscences of childhood sensations and perceptions. He is concerned with what is glibly termed "the human condition". Moral themes play throughout the book: concepts such as understanding and foregiveness, opportunities missed and opportunities shared, trust and responsibility.
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