Customer Reviews

A Wayward Wind

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A WAYWARD WIND is another in John Huffman's stable of compelling, brilliantly-written novels. As with all of his works, the book is so close to the bone that it's hard to read -- while at the same time, it might be the quickest read you've ever known. This one, dealing with three beautifully-drawn personalities, will hold you spellbound. Huffman writes with a sense of time, place and detail that lets you know he has been there, done that, and now is offering you all the richness of his own vast experience. Sit down with A WAYWARD WIND and then try to put it down before you've turned the last page. Go on. I dare you.

You are captured in the Author's moments. Needing to know what the next page brings to your vivid memory that he has placed in your mind. Putting you right there each day, each night; with the adventure of these 3 musketeers. This book is very good, one for all and all for one until the end! You can't put it down, especially when you reach Chapter's 15 to the end! Great ending! Great Book for a movie, look out LIFETIME!

Just into the first chapter I knew this was one of those books I wasn't going to be able to put down until I finished it.The author brings you seamlessly back & forth between the past & present lives of his charcters with such vivid descriptions you fall into those places as well with them. I cheered them on with their adventures, and smelled & tasted the streets of New Orleans & Baton Rouge and the sleazy people they encountered on the way.
One of those books you can't wait to finish, but are sad when you do,because you are so caught up in their world. I highly recommend this novel for all ages,from teens to adults. Something for everyone; action,adventure & heart pounding twists & turns.

Need a total escape for a couple nights? You will not be able to stop reading this book, [[ASIN:1438966725 A Wayward Wind]). If you think your children/grandchildren are too reckless, Huffman will provide you a wild ride with two of your pushing-the-envelope classmates from the 60's. He will also remind you that the independent spirited often do well in life---if they survive their teens!

A Coming-of-Age book your teens would really like, too. A great conversation starter for the generations to calmly discuss choices and values.

A Wayward Wind is a spellbinding story where three refreshingly honest young characters take on one adventure after another throughout their travels in their quest to locate the much bullied Ollie's pathetic mother and find themselves involved in the dark underworld dealings of Louisiana brilliantly and seamlessly intertwined with Jay Harte's life upon his return from a difficult tour of duty in Vietman. This book is an exciting, captivating and compelling story of friendship, love and mystery which keeps its reader swept away from beginning to surprising end. Another must read from John W. Huffman!

A Wayward Wind was one of those great surprise reads as I'd never heard of author John. W Huffman before and knew next to nothing about this story when I began. I will admit to a somewhat shaky start though as I got used to his style of writing and love of exclamation marks which peppered almost every sentence in the beginning chapters! However Huffman's a fantastic storyteller and it wasn't long before I was carried away by this gripping adventure.

Huffman does a great job here of voicing the 60's teenager, transporting you back to a time we can all relate to; when you lived in the moment, nothing was as important as your best friends (or that first kiss) and it felt like the whole world was against you. This story often reminded me of Stephen King, in particular Stand By Me(The Body). Probably because of the era it takes place in and the fact that 90% of the adults portrayed here are evil or in the case of parents left purposely vague. It also jumps back and forth between past and present and these sections are cleverly woven together by the end with our characters showing us the bond they formed and the events that marked them forever.

Its 1967, Jay Harte is just back from Vietnam, a decorated but disillusioned hero who can no longer fit into society. Along with his purple heart and bronze star Jay's also got some serious scars, a short temper and can't seem to find a job- since there isn't much call back `in the world' for leading men through a jungle and avoiding sniper fire. All of this pales however when he receives a letter from his childhood friend, now on death row for killing a man. The young Oliver Freeman that Jay remembers would never have been capable of such an act but it seems time and circumstances have changed both of them.

And so our story begins with Jay travelling to Angola state penitentiary and then flashing us back to the summer of 1960 when at 14 years old he and Ollie ran away in search of Ollie's missing, and unbeknownst to them, heroin addicted mother. Hitchhiking their way to New Orleans and Baton Rouge they sleep under bridges, work odd jobs and come to rely on each other completely. Early into their adventure Hattie Trudeau joins them and with her inclusion they become the 3 musketeers. Now as well as avoiding gangsters and pimps in their search for Ollie's mother they're also on the run from the police and Hattie's abusive guardian, Old Pete. The past and present eventually comes together along with an ending full of surprises.

A Wayward Wind touches on a huge scope of issues becoming a love story, an adventure and a tragedy. Showing the bonds of friendship, the casualties of war and the horrors of addiction. Highly recommended.

After reading my 4th book by John Huffman (A Wayward Wind), I found it hard to write this review. Unlike his 1st three books(Baron of Clayhill, Tiger Women, and Above All) hitting me between the eyes, this story hit me directly in the chest. I grew up in deep east Texas as did the Author and felt the first two thirds of this book a reminder of my youth. The last third left me in tears, bringing back strong memories of my childhood. It's hard to describe how much this story meant to me, or how taken back I was by the deep description of the Louisiana area. I could feel, see and taste my childhood through the author's words. The characters were so in depth and complete. Although finding it hard to write about this book, I can only compare John Huffman as my generation's Mark Twain. Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn really didn't do much for me because I really couldn't relate to them, A Wayward Wind, I could!! My only regret about Mr. Huffman's books is that my father, who passed away a little over 2 years ago, never had a chance to enjoy his books. He would have loved them!!!
In Summary: A classic and a must read for anyone!!!

Really loved this book. It was my first John Huffman book and made me a real fan of his books. The loyalty of the adventureous young people and what they experience is captivating.A must read.

I downloaded this book for my kindle and really enjoyed it. I read until 3:30 in the morning, thank goodness that was the night we set the clocks back. It really takes you away and into the characters. I finished the book today! I turned off all the phones and got in bed and finished it off. I hated for it to end! But it has, well I won't ruin the ending for you!!! I can't wait to buy another John Huffman book! This was one I just couldn't put down!

A Wayward Wind is a spell binding tale that takes one back to their early teens in an era forever lost. It is a compelling story of unswerving friendship and unquestioning loyalty of three adventurous friends on a noble mission to find one's lost mother which takes you through desolate swamps and the seedy underworld of mysterious cities in a romping adventure that will leave you breathless to the very last page, where a wonderful, surprise ending will leave you sated but wanting more. I highly recommend this to all genders, young and old, male and female. John Huffman is a master storyteller who does his craft justice.