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pio_near's review
4.0
A simple story with three points of view all running... and the story that emerges shows how connection, community and family are really all that matter in a world full of strife. I was given the opportu ity to listen to the audiobook (thanks to NetGalley), which is read by Reedus. His dry, bare bones no frills way of reading gave a great grit to the story, its prose sometimes evocative of Hemmingway's staccato style, if not always the depth of emotion. Overall, a good work I enjoyed!
kbeeps's review
2.0
Egads this book was terrible. The best thing about it was that it gave my friend and I the opportunity to form our “Reedus Book Club” because we’re punny like that. I get publishers accepting celebrities’ work because it’s guaranteed they’ll sell, but wouldn’t they want to make sure the book is at least edited for readability? I’m a big Norman Reedus fan but I’ll stick to watching him on screen.
jennrobyn's review
4.0
This book was an absolute surprise for me. I am not a reader of short stories. I’ve tried on multiple occasions but I either DNF or finish and have no idea what I just read. The Ravaged was different.
This book is three different stories that center around three very different characters but who all struggle with finding their true family and a place to lay their roots. We don’t necessarily get a conclusion to each story but we definitely develop a connection and empathy towards Jack, Anne, and Hunter. I would absolutely read an entire book dedicated to each character.
I think what worked for me was Reedus’ writing style. He’s got that gritty way with words that always plucks at my emotions and leaves my heart feeling a little raw. It’s almost like his writing is a little dirty, if that makes any sense at all??
I throughly enjoyed this book. The audio is read by author and he does a fantastic job. Highly recommend!
This book is three different stories that center around three very different characters but who all struggle with finding their true family and a place to lay their roots. We don’t necessarily get a conclusion to each story but we definitely develop a connection and empathy towards Jack, Anne, and Hunter. I would absolutely read an entire book dedicated to each character.
I think what worked for me was Reedus’ writing style. He’s got that gritty way with words that always plucks at my emotions and leaves my heart feeling a little raw. It’s almost like his writing is a little dirty, if that makes any sense at all??
I throughly enjoyed this book. The audio is read by author and he does a fantastic job. Highly recommend!
lattelibrarian's review
4.0
"He feels the vastness of galaxies inside him."
Norman Reedus' first foray into literature left me rushing and entranced. A true dive into grit-lit, Reedus follows three characters, Hunter, Jack, and Anne--all of whom have left their homes in search of a father, a purpose, freedom. Along the way, they meet new acquaintances at diners, a family who has been forced into servitude by way of drug cartels, and a cult-like leader of nomads. Though their stories never intersect, each character goes through tremendous growth through their anxieties.
Each chapter shifts perspective, and while this can leave some readers feeling disconnected, I felt that it left me wanting more. I wanted to read more of the previous character, but had to get through another character--but by the end of that character's chapter, I wanted more of them, slowly catapulting me in a wheel of never-ending character-lust.
Whether it be on the back of a motorcycle, a boxcar, or a truck along a winding South American road, it's clear that soul-searching, self-realization, and self-actualization are huge themes, beyond the theme of found family.
It definitely read like male literature (in looking at my past reads, it turns out Norman Reedus is my diversity read for the better half of this year), but it was so incredibly entertaining and fast-paced that I could hardly put it down. Not to mention, I had a lengthy train ride after the book signing!
Even beyond the quality of literature or characterization, this book as a physical artifact is simply beautiful. It costs plenty of money to do what Blackstone Publishing did for Reedus' book, which just proves to me the length of Reedus' artistry. Instead of a cloth-bound hard-cover binding, the hardcover has a glossy color illustration of matches, continuing the theme of setting a cigarette aflame from the book sleeve. Even inside, there are details reminiscent of a motorcycle, with small flames jutting out from the corners of the pages.
I can tell a lot of care went into this book, and it absolutely works in its favor. I hope Reedus continues his foray into grit-lit--I'm excited to see what other stories are bubbling in his mind.
Norman Reedus' first foray into literature left me rushing and entranced. A true dive into grit-lit, Reedus follows three characters, Hunter, Jack, and Anne--all of whom have left their homes in search of a father, a purpose, freedom. Along the way, they meet new acquaintances at diners, a family who has been forced into servitude by way of drug cartels, and a cult-like leader of nomads. Though their stories never intersect, each character goes through tremendous growth through their anxieties.
Each chapter shifts perspective, and while this can leave some readers feeling disconnected, I felt that it left me wanting more. I wanted to read more of the previous character, but had to get through another character--but by the end of that character's chapter, I wanted more of them, slowly catapulting me in a wheel of never-ending character-lust.
Whether it be on the back of a motorcycle, a boxcar, or a truck along a winding South American road, it's clear that soul-searching, self-realization, and self-actualization are huge themes, beyond the theme of found family.
It definitely read like male literature (in looking at my past reads, it turns out Norman Reedus is my diversity read for the better half of this year), but it was so incredibly entertaining and fast-paced that I could hardly put it down. Not to mention, I had a lengthy train ride after the book signing!
Even beyond the quality of literature or characterization, this book as a physical artifact is simply beautiful. It costs plenty of money to do what Blackstone Publishing did for Reedus' book, which just proves to me the length of Reedus' artistry. Instead of a cloth-bound hard-cover binding, the hardcover has a glossy color illustration of matches, continuing the theme of setting a cigarette aflame from the book sleeve. Even inside, there are details reminiscent of a motorcycle, with small flames jutting out from the corners of the pages.
I can tell a lot of care went into this book, and it absolutely works in its favor. I hope Reedus continues his foray into grit-lit--I'm excited to see what other stories are bubbling in his mind.
xmenji's review
3.0
A decent book about three very different types of people each with their own set of struggles that center around regret, secrets, and trying to find a sense of belonging. I thought the dialogue between characters were done well. On the other hand, the book sometimes gets caught up in describing everything in detail which, for me at least, bogs down the story.
bookapotamus's review
3.0
You know I just grabbed this one because it was by Norman Reedus (plus the awesome cover) because that's pretty much how I roll these days. (No shame!) I had no idea what I was getting into, but if it's narrated by Daryl Dixon and it's a gritty road trip type story - I had no qualms with knowing zero things about the plot!
One thing that I think going into this you should know is it's 3 different stories. They do parallel each other - but they never connect. I anticipated the stories merging at some point, and was a tad bit disappointed they never did. But - the three stories themselves were incredibly descriptive and moving - these are not happy stories with endearing characters. They are quite messy and we are thrown right into their journeys as they navigate the disorder of their lives.
We follow each as they travel through these tough situations simultaneously with a road trip - running from something, running away, or running to something. The writing is darkly poetic and Norman narrates it beautifully. There were a few times it feels like it gets stuck in almost too detailed of a descriptive spiral - but it's dark and grittily lyrical, nonetheless.
It's very clear Norman has taken experience from his own travels and applied it throughout the story which I loved. It's very raw and quite a unique read - which I appreciate. A solid debut, I just wished the plots had merged somehow (even a teeny bit!) and the ending wasn't so open. But to be fair - sometimes it really is more about the journey than the destination.
One thing that I think going into this you should know is it's 3 different stories. They do parallel each other - but they never connect. I anticipated the stories merging at some point, and was a tad bit disappointed they never did. But - the three stories themselves were incredibly descriptive and moving - these are not happy stories with endearing characters. They are quite messy and we are thrown right into their journeys as they navigate the disorder of their lives.
We follow each as they travel through these tough situations simultaneously with a road trip - running from something, running away, or running to something. The writing is darkly poetic and Norman narrates it beautifully. There were a few times it feels like it gets stuck in almost too detailed of a descriptive spiral - but it's dark and grittily lyrical, nonetheless.
It's very clear Norman has taken experience from his own travels and applied it throughout the story which I loved. It's very raw and quite a unique read - which I appreciate. A solid debut, I just wished the plots had merged somehow (even a teeny bit!) and the ending wasn't so open. But to be fair - sometimes it really is more about the journey than the destination.
bookbabe0614's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
chantalsbookstuff's review
2.0
When you favourite actor from Walking Dead writes a book, you obviously have to read it. I am sure this book will be a 4 to 5 star for others, but unfortunately I did not like it. It was a bit all over the place, and I often felt lost with no clear direction.
I hope others find it to be a great read!
I hope others find it to be a great read!