Customer Reviews

Somewhere South of Here: A Novel

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

 

 

I haven't read Kowalski's first book, "Eddie's Bastard." But I will. The neat thing about "Somewhere South of Here" is an honestly as sure and unrelenting as the Sonoran sun. This is raw stuff, unpretentious and real. Kowalski understands that less is more, particularly in dialogue. I'll admit an awe for the Southwest, which Kowalski almost certainly shares from his equidistant Brooklyn home. His treatment of that enchanted landscape and its people is eerily real. Here, again, the power of Kowalski's writing lies in what he does not write. Rather than bury the reader in a doomed attempt to cage what cannot be spoken, Kowalski distills essential impressions. And he makes it look easy. Here is a man who has found his voice.

I won't give you a summary of this charming story, since the editorial reviews have already done that. But I will tell you that this sequel to Eddie's Bastard, Kowalski's first book, doesn't disappoint. A word of advice: IF you haven't yet read EB, do that first. It's a special treat -- one of my all-time favorite novels. Starting with EB will only enhance your enjoyment of Somewhere South of Here. There! That's two recommendations all in one. Enjoy.

I loved Eddie's Bastard, and even re-read it before emabarking on SSOH. Unfortunately, I feel that Billy got lost. He seemed a battered and embittered soul--so unlike the young man in the first novel. He departs to New Mexico seeking his mother, yet doesn't have the courage to tell her it is him. His releationship with Consuelo is based on chemistry, and no other character is drawn with any depth. Particulary El Perrero, who seems to be there to make Billy question what his own father would have been like if he had lived. The ending is hokey--to the extent that the Mann mansion is a home for unwed mothers. Billy grew up with love, even if the style was unconventional.

I was also aggravated that this novel covered such a short period of time--and the ending with the pregnancy and completed novel seemed far too open.

It was an easy read, but not nearly as fulfilling as Eddie's Bastard.

Somewhere South of Here is a disappointing sequel to Eddie's Bastard. While I loved the first novel, South of Here didn't have the same appeal.

Billy Mann departs Mannville and heads South in a quest to find the mother who abandoned him as a baby. In Santa Fe, amongst the cast of characters he befriends is Ralph a student from the local university, El Perrero a half crazed neighbour, a love interest in the guise of Consuela, a singer at the local bar. He finally meets his mother - without too much difficulty. Sky is ill and Billy agonises over whether or not to tell her that she is his mother.

Its an easy, but disappointing read and certainly not the worse book I've ever read. To be honest the story was too predictable, too ordinary with no surprises. I think perhaps the author should just have stopped at Eddies Bastard as the same continuity and interest is lacking in South of Here.

Sorry, but I would give this one a miss or wait until its in your local library.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable and very well well written sequel to the author's first book "Eddie's Bastard". In this book we find Billy Mann travelling to New Mexico in order to find his real mother who abandoned him at birth. The characters he meets along the way spring to life from the pages and you can almost smell the chiles frying in the New Mexico heat and be with Billy in his quest. This is an excellent book which I was lucky enough to read in one sitting and I look forward to more of Mr. Kowalski's works and I think his website is really cool too.

It would have been a 5 star book if I hadn't read Eddie's Bastard first. Eddie Mann goes to Santa Fe, New Mexico to find his mother. This book was a great read from one of my new favorite authors. All three of his books have been great. Although this was probably the least great. I would reccomend this book but please read Eddies Bastard first.

I was disappointed with this sequel. It covers Billy's quest to find his mother. The plot was very contrived and just didn't ring true to me for some reason.

Billy ends up in Santa Fe to look for the mother who abandoned him. He meets Consuelo, a singer and they fall in love. Billy locates his mother, but the woman he has created in his mind, can she meet his expectations?? I thought the love story was a bit simple, as was the ending.

Kowalski would have had to do a smash up job with a sequel to top "Eddie's Bastard". He did not succeed, but I will likely read more of his work in the future, since sequels are usually a letdown in most cases. I didn't hate the book, or the plot, but it left me empty, therefore I give this book 2/5 stars.

Billy Mann rides to New Mexico in search of his mother at the beginning of this book. He's searching for more, of course; answers, family, community. He finds an unusual and entertaining cast of characters that includes a girl who may or may not be his half sister, a bewitching gypsy singer, a perennial student-philosopher, and a loony sniper. Enjoyable mayhem ensues. A serious subtext underlies the comic plotines; Billy is compassionate, aware, and mournful. What appeared to be such rollicking good fun (in the first novel) appears differently when viewed through the eyes of a more mature narrator. Billy cares for these broken people, and emerges at novel's end with a deepened understanding and a more complete life.

When I read "Eddie's Bastard" I was completely captivated by Billy Mann, and all his life experiences. "Somewhere South of Here" continues where "Eddie's Bastard" left off. Kowalski is a natural story teller. This book kept my attention, and I have already begun reading it again! Great job Bill!

It would have been a 5 star book if I hadn't read Eddie's Bastard first. Eddie Mann goes to Santa Fe, New Mexico to find his mother. This book was a great read from one of my new favorite authors. All three of his books have been great. Although this was probably the least great. I would reccomend this book but please read Eddies Bastard first.