Marathon [BARGAIN PRICE] (Hardcover)

by W. William Winokur (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"In this Grecophile's delight, a photograph leads [Marianna] to Ion Theodore and eventually to Greece...to unravel the past." -- Library Journal

"Marathon has all the flavor and scope of a true epic." -- Malibu Times --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
An Odyssey of Self-Discovery

Based on a True Story

From the concrete canyons of lower Manhattan to the ruins of Ancient Greece, Marathon is a deeply personal tour de force of a woman who turns her back on the modern world in order to unravel the secrets of her past.

Meet Marianna Gardner—intelligent, beautiful, successful, yet empty, sad and searching. Marianna is a partner in a prominent Manhattan law firm, but her rise to the top has come at a price: She has become so hardened that she missed her own father’s funeral.

Enter Ion Theodore, a charming yet lonely old Greek man who has known Marianna since she was a child. A teacher, artist, and marathon runner, Ion is a man of uncommon experience and wisdom. When the two unexpectedly reconnect in a dilapidated Queens nursing home, Marianna finds herself entranced by "Uncle" Ion’s quiet life force.

Soon after their meeting, Marianna finds herself compelled to accompany Ion on a pilgrimage back to his homeland of Greece. There she stumbles upon Ion’s hidden journals, with their tantalizing allusions to a lost obol, once possessed by Ion. It was the obol actually worn by Pheidippides, the legendary hero who ran from Marathon to Athens to warn the Greeks of the invading Persians. As Marianna unearths these secrets of the past, she also begins to see her own future and learns how her destiny is inescapably linked to Ion’s.

Framed by the story of Pheidippides’ celebrated run, the novel is steeped in mythology and mystery. With a deft and certain hand, author W. William Winokur ponders the essential questions of life and death, the intersection of past and present, the struggle of duty versus passion, all while exploring one woman’s discovery of herself through ancient myths, lost journals, impossible loves, and timeless souls.

Marathon is a richly imagined work that sets the conflict and intrigue of the ancient world against the reality of contemporary life. Compelling, thought provoking, and thoroughly engaging, Marathon is a powerful statement about the choices we make in life, and how to create a life worth living. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Kissena Park Press (January 31, 2006)
• ISBN-10: 097685080X
• ASIN: B000HXDKES
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,904,926 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Epic of the Journeys of the Soul, June 13, 2006

By	Evelyn Sears (Washington, DC, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Marathon (Hardcover)

The Ice Woman. That's what her partners at Schroeder, Wilkes and Barron call Marianna Gardner. It is an appropriate sobriquet for a woman who was too busy practicing law to attend her father's funeral.

While sifting through her father's belongings, Marianna comes across a reminder of a once cherished but long-forgotten family friend. Determined to re-establish some connection with her past, she finds "Uncle Ion" in a shabby nursing home. As they rekindle their relationship, Marianna examines her life and slowly realizes that she is not fond of the person she has become. Her journey of self-discovery accelerates when she and Uncle Ion travel to Greece so that he may conclude some personal business.

Marianna's Grecian sojourn is far from peaceful. As her respect for the people around her grows, so does her disdain for her own life. Moreover, upon unearthing several old journals, Marianna uncovers startling truths about Uncle Ion's life and her own origins. Shortly before he dies, Uncle Ion unravels the mysteries of the journals and his complicated connection to Marianna. The story concludes as, armed with new insights, Marianna gathers the courage to make peace with herself, break free from the chains that bind her and build a new life.

A recounting of Pheidippides' mythic journeys frames the stories of Marianna and Ion. The parallel accounts of these varied journeys complement each other well. In order to remain free, Pheidippides and his countrymen must defeat the Persian invaders who threaten to enslave them. His journey shapes a nation. In order to die free, Ion must reveal his ties with Marianna. His journey shapes Marianna's future. In order to become free, Marianna must relinquish the life that corrupts her. Her journey depicts the universal quest for meaning.

Readers who like epic tales of struggle and triumph will enjoy Marathon. This lengthy (nearly 500 pages), engrossing novel is a touching tribute to a teacher, Ion Theodore, who influenced the author's life in an extraordinary way. W. William Winokur weaves fact, fiction, poetry, biography, history and mythology into a beautiful story that sensitively explores eternal questions about life's meanings. A first-time novelist, Winokur has established a high standard for himself. His prose is graceful and poetic, his images are vivid and his characters are interesting. Imagine sitting at Ion's feet as he teaches history, philosophy and art as a seamless whole. Feel Pheidippides' exhaustion as he runs over mountains, his lips filled with messages that will determine the fate of a nation. Suffer Marianna's grief as she examines a life filled with much regret and little honor. And most importantly, rejoice as Marianna travels from desolation through resurrection to redemption, for her triumph gives hope to all who are compelled to traverse the dark places of their souls.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A diamond discovery: a definite winner, May 29, 2006

By	E. Parkinson "Film & Book VIP" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Marathon (Hardcover)

William Winokur's epic adventure, "MARATHON" is a page turner that stays with you like a cherished memory. Brilliant plotting, prose and execution, with descriptive imagery that gives the read the feel of watching an Oscar-caliber movie. And speaking of Oscar-caliber movies... I see that JAMES CAMERON, director of "Titanic" has given this book a glowing endorsement on it's front cover jacket. Perhaps "MARATHON" is just the property for Cameron to follow-up his epic "TITANIC"?? Buy this book now, and hang onto the remaining FIRST EDITIONS still available before this baby takes off!!!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marathon / Mentor, March 19, 2006

By	Tony J. Sunich (Huntington Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Marathon (Hardcover)

This has to be the best book I have ever read. Ion Theodore was a most amazing man. If only everyone could have had a mentor like him. This story makes me want to learn more about Greece. I know this will be an amazing movie!

William Winokur is a man everybody will soon be talking about.

I hope someone tells Oprah about this book!