Vision Quest: A Wrestling Story [Paperback]

Terry Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

When Terry Davis's Vision Quest first appeared in 1979, John Irving called it "the truest novel about growing up since Catcher in the Rye, " and said, "it's a better novel about wrestling, and wrestlers, than The World According to Garp." Its re-release in trade paperback presents the book to a new generation of readers.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Davis's coming-of-age novel garnered good response when it debuted in 1979. Using high school wrestling as a metaphor for growing up, the book reveals how teenage protagonist Louden Swain deals with both his desire to win his weight division in the state championships and his growing love for Carla, an older girl who is temporarily stranded with Louden and his father when her car breaks down.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Terry Davis is also the author of If Rock and Roll Were a Machine and Mysterious Ways. He lives in Mankato, Minnesota, and Spokane, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: Eastern Washington Univ Pr (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0910055793
• ISBN-13: 978-0910055796
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #594,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the movie....a must read for any wrestling fan., April 26, 2002

By 

Jay (Norfolk, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vision Quest: A Wrestling Story (Paperback)

I grew up without a knowledge of amateur wrestling, but after getting into the realm of takedowns, granby rolls and near-fall points, I read where Vision Quest, the book, was re-released.

We've all seen the movie, questioning the takedown at the beginning of the big match with Shute, but this book is so much more detailed than the Matthew Modine hollywood production.

While the movie was scaled down and PG, the book is a bit more "adult" but still any wrestler will appreciate the detail of travelling to matches, unfortunate weight cutting, and dealing with girls during the season.

I got the book from Amazon.com on a Friday afternoon, and started reading it immediately. I finished the 194 page book in no time.

As soon as I'd finished it, I've already got a line of wrestlers here at school waiting to read it.

I HIGHLY recommend reading this fictional story of Louden Swain...

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Quest Continues..., April 20, 2002

By 

Freelance Writer (Spokane, Washington United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vision Quest: A Wrestling Story (Paperback)

When Terry Davis first released VISION QUEST -- the story of high school wrestler Louden Swain's personal search for strength and understanding -- it was heralded as an exceptional book by John Irving, the American Library Association, Publisher's Weekly and the American Book Award committee (now known as the National Book Awards). Seeing the original Viking edition go out of print, was like losing an old friend. But Eastern Washington University Press resurrected Davis's debut novel in March of 2002, and that's good news for readers everywhere. Is it still a good and meaningful book after two decades? Absolutely. Louden's need for clarity and personal revelation is universal. It whispers to every man's journey into self-discovery. And Davis's ability to deliver the tenderness and brutality of truth masked as fiction is without parallel. Read VISION QUEST. It is a timeless novel that deserves a second shot at immortality.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect ending to a durned good read, March 3, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Vision Quest: A Wrestling Story (Paperback)

This is one of the most real-world inspiring and beautifully understated pieces of fiction that I have read. The protagonist, Louden Swain, is a 17-and 18-year-old who is doing his very best to become the best (the most alive, capable) person he can figure out how to become. It's durned good to see such a life as Louden's promoted in a fine piece of writing instead of the maladjusts we often find in contemporary, "cool" literature. Although Vision Quest is listed as a young adult title, the writing transcends that genre. This is not so much a book for adolescent readers (although they'll likely enjoy it) as it is a fun read for adults who powerfully connect with good novels. The ending: it's downright perfect. The wrestling match between Louden and his opponent is not the point of the story. The journey of becoming is what matters here.