American Odyssey: A Teenage Runaway's Memoir (The Novel)
In his debut novel, Gelinas weaves a stark, cautionary tale of three troubled teenage boys who run away from a confining New England factory town, where all they see before them are limitations and futures too bleak to contemplate. Their goal: To live like the outlaws of the Old West, robbing from the rich and giving to the poor -- themselves. Their destination: Buffalo country and the The Black Hills of South Dakota. But will they make it?
Hunter, who's bitter and disillusioned with life following the death of his estranged father, and Wade, a tough but abused city kid with a lengthy arrest record, are already wanted by the police back home. They aren't thinking about the new troubles they'll be making for themselves when Wade, armed with a handgun, leads an assault against an old man to steal his car. And Billy, innocent and unassuming, makes a choice before leaving that puts their plans in jeopardy. Complicating matters: As they slowly make their way across America, Hunter becomes increasingly haunted by his past and begins to wonder if what they're doing will be worth much of anything in the end.
NOTE: The print version (titled American Odyssey) is no longer available. It has been replaced with the retitled Kindle version -- AMERICAN ODYSSEY: A Teenage Runaway's Memoir. That version is available for purchase via the link below.
Praise for American Odyssey: A Teenage Runaway's Memoir (on Amazon):
"The book can be used as an instrument to reach out to troubled teens of today, breaking down the barriers of communication between parents and their children." -- Lori Jillson
"This a definite 'can't put down' book. I'm impressed with the range of emotions captured [in] the story." -- Deb McPherson
Hunter, who's bitter and disillusioned with life following the death of his estranged father, and Wade, a tough but abused city kid with a lengthy arrest record, are already wanted by the police back home. They aren't thinking about the new troubles they'll be making for themselves when Wade, armed with a handgun, leads an assault against an old man to steal his car. And Billy, innocent and unassuming, makes a choice before leaving that puts their plans in jeopardy. Complicating matters: As they slowly make their way across America, Hunter becomes increasingly haunted by his past and begins to wonder if what they're doing will be worth much of anything in the end.
NOTE: The print version (titled American Odyssey) is no longer available. It has been replaced with the retitled Kindle version -- AMERICAN ODYSSEY: A Teenage Runaway's Memoir. That version is available for purchase via the link below.
Praise for American Odyssey: A Teenage Runaway's Memoir (on Amazon):
"The book can be used as an instrument to reach out to troubled teens of today, breaking down the barriers of communication between parents and their children." -- Lori Jillson
"This a definite 'can't put down' book. I'm impressed with the range of emotions captured [in] the story." -- Deb McPherson
[For more in-depth reviews, click on the Reviews & Interviews link at the top of this page.]