Train

National Book Award winner (for Parris Trout), Pete Dexter has just written a darkly disturbing novel set in Los Angeles circa 1953. Almost every turn in the plot served to make this reader uncomfortable even while many of the turns of phrase wowed me. Race, sex, corruption, and golf are some of the themes that Dexter weaves into his noir tale featuring the thoughts and deeds of three major characters: Lionel “Train” Walk -- a contemplative black teenaged golf prodigy with a green thumb; Miller Packard-- a World War II veteran turned police sergeant of means who is a disconnected thrill-seeker; and Nora Still -- a rape victim who comes to question many of her old values as she is entrained in Packard’s surreal, numb whirlwind of a show more life in what seems an attempt to either destroy or heal herself. [draft - ~ 140 words] show less

This is the 3rd book that I have by Dexter. He has a unique voice and style. His writing is sparse but he an ear for dialogue and gets inside the heads of his characters that bring out many viewpoints of the situation. This book takes place in 1953 in L.A with a beginning that takes place in Philly in 1948. The main characters are Millard Packer, a veteran of World War II who has seen much and is a risk taker and thrill seeker. In 1953 he is a policeman(but always seem to be not working). The other main characters are Lionel Walk(Train is his nickname) who is an 18 year old black man and a golf caddy at an L.A Country Club. Packer and Train cross paths at the golf course when Packer is playing a member that Train is caddying for and show more they are gambling. Eventually Packer sees that Train is a natural at golf. The book brings in the third character Norah, the young wife of a club member. She and her husband are victims of attempted sea hijacking that goes wrong. This brings Packer into the story again this time with Norah. The book moves back in forth between these characters along with other minor characters. You see all the racism that existed in LA at that time. Eventually all 3 of them come together moving towards the book's climax. Lots of violence and dealing with both the rich and the poor. A good read at around 300 pages. Dexter did win a National Book Award for "Paris Trout" and I am sure I will go back and read some of his other books. An author that many people don't know about but someone worth reading. show less

Packard, a war hero returning from the Pacific Theater, joins the police force in Southern California. It seems, though, he has returned in a kind of personal fog, or limbo. Outward signs are that he's only interested in sensations, wants to test various things to see if he can feel an emotion. He golfs with some lowlifes, but meets a black caddy named Lionel - called "Train" - who, it turns out, is also a brilliant golfer.

This is a book about racial prejudice and segregation in Southern California after the War. The blurb on the back cover is true: Pete Dexter's writing cuts to the bone. There are no holds barred here. Packard takes justice into his own hands - good thing too, because it's one of the few areas where he can exercise show more reliable judgment. Packard, called "Miles Away Man" by Train, is finally snapped back into the human race when after a tumultuous argument with his wife, she shoots his lower leg with a shotgun, after which he finally shows emotion and breaks down into tears.

"Train" is hard-edged, honest, and deft at the same time. Dexter is a virtuoso. Pick this up and read it - I assure you you won't regret it.

http://bassoprofundo1.blogspot.com/2010/06/train-by-pete-dexter.html show less

un bel noir (che non è il mio genere) ben scritto e non scontato. Caratteri plausibili, una certa forza. Verso la fine qualche lungaggine che si riscatta in un finale non del tutto prevedibile. Non posso dire che mi sia piaciuto del tutto ma mi ha lasciato qualche buona malinconia: sembra un ricordo che ha l'aria di volere durare nel tempo. Per me non è poco.

[audiolibro]

Excellent characters, interesting story, and, although set in Southern California, these are all "Philly people." Dexter was a columnist for the Philadelphia Bulletin. Highly recommended, but quite a bit of violence, and an intense rape scene. Jim, 8/11/06

Pete Dexter will move you in more ways than you will imagine.

Train is one of those novels that stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

It's hard for me to write about whats in the book, because I don't want to give it away. I recommend that you read this!

Narrated by Dion Graham