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Loading... Go with me (original 2008; edition 2008)by Castle Freeman
Work detailsGo with Me by Castle Freeman (2008)
 avaland | Nov 15, 2011 |  Good God, this book was horrible. I understand the literary device of the "Greek Chorus," but that cleverness does not absolve the author of his absolutely specious treatment of rural personalities and characters. (  ) AnnLattinvilleHale | Jul 13, 2010 | A big novel in a small package. Picture Stewart O'Nan in Vermont with Greek chorus (  ) leonoramadison | Apr 7, 2010 | This dialogue-driven novella is reminiscent of "Reservoir Dogs". It captures familiar character types in a fast-paced tale of revenge. Gripping! ( ) hemlokgang | Nov 15, 2009 | I just read Castle Freeman's "Go With Me” in two sittings and the only reason I didn’t read it in one was because I wanted to save half of it for another experience of great pleasure. The story of a town’s revenge on its one man organized crime syndicate, a violent lowlife named Blackway, this spare, simple book is suspenseful and funny and very moving, with great characters and dialogue. About as good as it gets. ( ) Tonybe | Oct 3, 2009 | no reviews | add a review
No descriptions found. "Jumbo was a superstar of the Victorian era. Every day tens of thousands of people would visit this adored animal known as "the Children's Pet" or, more simply, "the Giant Elephant," at the London Zoo. When P. T. Barnum purchased him for his Greatest Show on Earth, Jumbo's transport to the U.S. made headlines for weeks, and he was an instant sensation in America. His name entered our lexicon as an adjective for oversized things, and half a century after his death his still-famous and unrivalled popularity was the inspiration for Walt Disney's Dumbo. But fame comes at a price and, like so many modern celebrities, Jumbo led a troubled private life that was far from idyllic. His best friend - a zookeeper named Matthew Scott, who remained by Jumbo's side in Britain and the United States for twenty years - was moody and manipulative, and Jumbo himself attracted rumors of violent tantrums, a fondness for drink, and of a "wife" he left behind in order to make it big in America.""From an eyewitness account of Jumbo's capture in Africa after ivory hunters had killed his parents, to his early years at the Paris zoo where he was mistreated and regarded as a disappointing runt, to his stunning growth spurt in London where he became the largest elephant in captivity, to the "Jumbo craze" that swept across Britain and the United States, Paul Chambers utilizes new archival material in fully telling Jumbo's story for the first time."--BOOK JACKET.… (more) (summary from another edition) |
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Wikipedia in English (1)
4
Lillian is found sleeping in her car behind the sheriff's office, her hand wrapped around a kitchen paring knife. Blackaway, the town criminal has been menacing her - broken her car's windshield, killed her cat. She fears for her life, and wants the sheriff to do something about it, but he says he can't help her because he can't arrest the guy on something he hasn't actually done yet. The sheriff suggests she might talk to Scottie down at the old chair factory, he might be able to help.
Lillian is determined to confront the bastard and goes to the factory looking for someone to go with her, but doesn't find Scottie. Instead two unlikely guys offer to go with her - a wily, old ex-logger and a not-too-terribly-bright giant of a young man. She has more than a few reservations, to say the least, but this is what she's has. Here is where the story splits: Lillian and her companions head off to find the guy, a challenge in and of itself. Meanwhile, back at the chair factory, the owner, in his wheelchair, and his buddies sit around drinking beer and yakking, serving as a kind of Greek chorus, filling in the background on everything.
This very short novel, a modern tale of chivalry, is an odd, clever mix of suspense and wit. One finds oneself terrified on behalf of this odd trio as they get closer and closer to Blackaway. His characters use a local vernacular laced with wit and irony, where sometimes few words can say much (especially the chorus back at the factory...). This novel unearths a part of Vermont mostly hidden from the tourists, a part that's disappearing. Freeman has brought it vividly to life in this riveting, short tale. (