Run With the Horsemen (Penguin Contemporary American Fiction Series)

Rating:
Summary: Engrossing and entertaining
Review: The style is relaxed, yet flows easily. Unlike so many other "remembrances" this writer doesn't get stuck in details. I especially appreciated the use of (undefined) southern slang, which made perfect sense in context. I picked it up at a used bookstore and it made me long for more of his style.

Rating:
Summary: Buy it NOW!
Review: There are few novels which have the beauty and impact of Run with the Horseman. I guarantee that it will become one of your favorites.

Rating:
Summary: Run With The Horsemen
Review: These are three very wonderful, uplifting and funny books! They take us from grade school all the way up to going into the Army. All through, there is a sense of magic and hilarity, that was irresistible. I didn't want them to end -- I want him to write some more! Probably the most charming books I have ever read - I'm buying a set for my son - I think ANYONE would love these books - he makes us feel part of the people in the books.
An A Plus from me. P.S. I read them over a period of several months while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. They uplifted me no end! (I wrote and told him about it!) Lee Morris

Rating:
Summary: Run With The Horsemen
Review: This book, plus Sams' other two related to his growing up in Georgia, reminded me so much of my childhood and events that happened in my life. In places I literally cried with delight; others I just added an "Amen;" and when I got through I felt like Sams had written a story of my life! I couldn't put the book down once I got started. Then, when I did finish, I had to start on his other two that are actually sequels to this one. They're priceless, and in many places classically written.

Rating:
Summary: When doctors pretend to be writers...
Review: This is not so much a novel as it is a series of stories about the adventures of a young boy growing up on a southern farm during the Great Depression. It's a delightful read, full of humor and spirit - it would be the perfect book for a summer day in a field with a cool breeze blowing. But alas, it's not quality literature. Ferrol Sams knows how to entertain, but he hasn't crafted here a true novel. What I mean by that is that there is no real beginning, middle, or end. There's no climax, no denouement; instead, this is fiction that simply flows like a gentle stream. Less than halfway through it I realized that there was no real plot - each chapter simply presents a different aspect of the boy's life. Yes, it's a joy to read. Sambo, the boy, is a charming main character, albeit far too nice and good-natured to be a truly believable farm boy. Through his experiences in school, on the farm, in town, and at home with his family, we get a close glimpse of life in the rural South in the early 1930s. And perhaps that's the point of the book. But in spite of its charm, the book lacks drama. The reader never wonders what's going to happen next, or how anything is going to be resolved. In fact, with the minor exception of his father's fondness for the bottle, and the occasional trouble that it gets him in, the boy's childhood is one triumph after another. After a while, it gets a little predictable. Will he win the county debate competition? Of course he will, just like he did last year, and the year before that. Will his watermelon patch be a success? Yes, indeed, and of course he will give a more than generous share of his earnings to his partner, to the church, etc., as that's just the kind of boy he is. All in all, this was a pleasure to read, but I think Sams missed out on an opportunity to create quality literature. I would recommend this book more to younger readers as a good summer read, but serious readers may be a bit disappointed by the lack of substance.

Rating:
Summary: When doctors pretend to be writers...
Review: This is not so much a novel as it is a series of stories about the adventures of a young boy growing up on a southern farm during the Great Depression. It's a delightful read, full of humor and spirit - it would be the perfect book for a summer day in a field with a cool breeze blowing. But alas, it's not quality literature. Ferrol Sams knows how to entertain, but he hasn't crafted here a true novel. What I mean by that is that there is no real beginning, middle, or end. There's no climax, no denouement; instead, this is fiction that simply flows like a gentle stream. Less than halfway through it I realized that there was no real plot - each chapter simply presents a different aspect of the boy's life. Yes, it's a joy to read. Sambo, the boy, is a charming main character, albeit far too nice and good-natured to be a truly believable farm boy. Through his experiences in school, on the farm, in town, and at home with his family, we get a close glimpse of life in the rural South in the early 1930s. And perhaps that's the point of the book. But in spite of its charm, the book lacks drama. The reader never wonders what's going to happen next, or how anything is going to be resolved. In fact, with the minor exception of his father's fondness for the bottle, and the occasional trouble that it gets him in, the boy's childhood is one triumph after another. After a while, it gets a little predictable. Will he win the county debate competition? Of course he will, just like he did last year, and the year before that. Will his watermelon patch be a success? Yes, indeed, and of course he will give a more than generous share of his earnings to his partner, to the church, etc., as that's just the kind of boy he is. All in all, this was a pleasure to read, but I think Sams missed out on an opportunity to create quality literature. I would recommend this book more to younger readers as a good summer read, but serious readers may be a bit disappointed by the lack of substance.

Rating:
Summary: Great Regional Writing
Review: This is one of the best American novels of the 20th century, and one of the greatest pieces of regional writing ever published. The details of growing up in Georgia during the depression, the attention to detail, the laugh-out-loud descriptions, and the unforgettable characters make this a classic. The first of three books in a series, this is the only one that is -er- "innocent" enough to recommend to the school board for inclusion in the curriculum (I should be read by every high school student). The other two are equally good but are more suitable for adult readers. Sams is as clever as Twain, as funny as Shepard, as sincere as Charles Kuralt and as connected to his roots as Faulkner. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST
Review: This is one of the best works I have read in quite a few years. The author's descriptive powers are wonderful and character developement is flawless. This was one of those books I did not wish to end, and thankgoodness, there are two others following. I suspect the books would not be everyones cup of tea as there are some (see other reviews) that "just would not get it." Also, anything thing they were not exposed to in Lit 101 in Jr Coll. would be a bit daunting for them. This is a book you will want to read more than once, so it is probably best to go ahead and by a copy, something I finally had to do. Read it for the pure joy of a good story and for some wonderful writing.

Rating:
Summary: Run With the Horsemen
Review: This is one of the greatest books I've ever read! I was kicked out of my highschool honor's English class for laughing outloud. If you are looking for a great gift to anyone (especially in the Southern US) this is it!

Rating:
Summary: Run With the Horsemen
Review: This is one of the greatest books I've ever read! I was kicked out of my highschool honor's English class for laughing outloud. If you are looking for a great gift to anyone (especially in the Southern US) this is it!