The Third Hill North of Town

Set in 1962, fifty-something Julianna Dapper escapes from a mental hospital in Maine, “borrows” a car, and begins a journey to the midwestern US, accompanied by two young men. One is a fifteen-year-old black youth she mistakes for a childhood friend and the other is a seventeen-year-old hitchhiker running from troubles at home. They are pursued by the law and their families. It is a picaresque adventure, full of over-the-top action scenes and a string of improbable coincidences.

I liked the depiction of the unlikely friendship that formed among three diverse individuals. Other than that, I do not have much positive to say about it. Everything is exaggerated – one of the main characters is too saintly and the villains are too evil. show more There are many plot holes and anachronisms. It is filled with violence and racial scapegoating. For me, it is a failed attempt to combine tragedy and humor, with the humor generated at the expense of a person with mental illness. show less

How do you describe THE THIRD HILL NORTH OF TOWN? When I was asked what “genre”? This cleverly written debut novel could find its home (not in one category), but many.

Some tags I would use to describe my experience: tragedy, humor, comedy, action, adventure, thriller, (not actually crime novel or mystery, but close), historical, drama, mental health, and suspense. A novel of courage, friendship, self-discovery, loss, and prejudice.

Some of the advance praise for THE THIRD HILL NORTH OF TOWN, was “right on”, in that this novel was a brilliant combination of chaos and coincidence. The front cover image drew me in immediately, with the rugged look of a farmland, and could envision the lives of the characters about to embark on an show more imaginative journey.

What a journey it was! Set against the backdrop of the 1960s (interlude takes place in 1923), a trio of misfits and damaged personalities—Julianna, Jon, and Elijah – who became close over the course of the novel for two days with an unlikely friendship.

The fifty-four yr. old Julianne is out of a mental hospital in Maine with a mission of returning to the tiny farming community in northern Missouri where she was born and raised. A place where she and her best friend Ben played as children--the place where the course of her life changed on night.

On her journey she meets Elijah, a shy teen, African American boy and Jon, a young hitchhiker on the run from the law. The three become traveling buddies and their bond brings them more than they can imagine. There is one obstacle after another— exploring human nature and behaviors of love and loss (you will laugh and cry).

An eccentric, yet a powerful imaginative story of human connection and coincidence—Well- written, page-turning, and hard to put down (dying to see what is coming next).

I very much enjoyed the Q & A with the author, Noah Bly at the end of the book, and his inspiration for the poignant yet bittersweet novel. This is a huge plus for readers, as it further deepens the connection with the story and the author.

The discussion questions are ideal for book clubs or groups, as to ponder the different characters --why they bonded, and what they gained from one another. I look forward to many more best selling novels from this debut and talented author! http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/872893/thethirdhillnorthoftown show less

2.5 stars. Too long, too many descriptors, too many tangents , too many characters, not enough that I cared about. Couldn't wait to be done.