Customer Reviews

When All the World Was Young (Contemporary American Fiction)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a wonderful journey that takes the reader through Porter Osborne's young life that is ordinary yet somehow extraordinary. The dialogue is honest and the accents are right-on; from the Georgia drawl to the Chicago slang. The humor is laugh-out-loud and refreshing, not contrived in the least. In fact, I picked up some handy idioms from Dr. Sams that I share with my friends and collegues. This novel sucked me in so quickly yet, I did not feel manipulated in the least. I could not help but to want to read more about this bespectled, open-mouthed, young man who approaches life with a sincerity, cleverness and candor that is unparalled.

I finished the novel convinced that Dr. Sams has one of the most amazing voices in literature today and anxious for another yarn about Porter Osborne, Jr.

This novel is equal to some of the best works of American literature. In a style reminiscent of Mark Twain, but with a sure voice of his own, Ferrol Sams has crafted an absolute masterpiece. The first two books in this series were phenomenal, but When All the World was Young tops even them.

The book is structured as a series of stories, all interconnected as a narrative. Each of these episodes fits in nicely with the preceding and following stories. There are a few subtle references to the earlier books, but this novel can be enjoyed independantly. If you are unfamiliar with the series, I would reccomend that you read the previous books first.

This is the rare novel that manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny, philisophical, and touching all at once. Porter (the protagonist) struggles with religion, racism, Southern culture, his attitude towards his father, women, medicine, the Army, and World War II. He is an unforgettable character: very sympathetic - naive, yet somehow worldy at the same time.

If your reading interests include serious works of literature by contemporary artists, you simply must read this book. I could not put it down the first time I read it, and have come back to it again and again.

Ferrol Sams is one of the best authors in the US, not because of his writing, content or anything of technical nature, but because he does everything from the heart and makes it applicable to readers of all ages. I cannot think of a single soul who would not enjoy his works, as everyone seems to have a bit of Porter Longstreet Osborne, Jr. inside himself. I give this trilogy as birthday and Christmas gifts and have enjoyed them over and over myself. A definite read.

I don't usually read books of this genre (the protagonist is a young man who was raised on a farm in the South), and at first I thought I might not enjoy it. However, the more I read, the more I was caught up in the character and the story. A good vacation book--it's long, so you'll need plenty of time blocked out.

I bought this book when I was 17 years old. That was eight years ago. This book has been a mantra of sorts throughout my life. I have read this book every year for the past eight years. Now I'm sharing it with my fiance, who origianlly was afraid this would be some girly romance story. Porter Longstreet Osborne, Jr. has been one of my very closest friends, especially the years that I was in the service! It's surprising how much the military mentality does not change. THIS BOOK IS ABSOLUTELY ABOVE "FAIR TO MIDDLIN"!

I received this book as a gift and once I started reading found it un-put-downable. This book is humerous, poignant and utterly believable. I am now off to order the first two books in this trilogy.

This is, quite simply, the best book I have ever read - one of those books where you will miss the character long after the story. It was charming, hilarious, compelling, and heart wrenching. I just loved Porter Osborne Jr.!

I finished When All the World Was Young this morning and felt as if I were leaving a good friend when I closed the book. The life of Porter Osborne, Jr., told with humor and poignancy. I loved all three books.

Porter Osborne is a friend of mine. I first met him in The Whisper of the River which I picked up to read on a day I had Jury Duty. Sitting in the room with a a hundred other prospective jurors, I was laughing out loud. I read Run With the Horseman next and eagerly awaited this one, buying it of the first day it hit the bookstore. I reread it this weekend and will surely read it again. Dr. Sams is my favorite author.

I can't believe the series is over (this is the last book of a trilogy), it is like losing a friend. I have loved seeing life through "Sambo's" eyes. Ferol Sams is a master story teller and anyone who wants to understand the South in pre-WWII America has to read this book. It recalls a different gentler time.