The structure of the book took me several chapters to figure what the storyline was. Descent by tim johnston on the one hand, this masterful novel grabbed me from the first chapter and i didnt want to put the book down. Every few years, theres one book i latch onto that i keep recommending to people, over and over. Inspired by a true story, people of the book is a novel of sweeping. But by the end of the week i was practically in love with. I love characterdriven thrillers, and this book was geared perfectly for me.
One would not be too presumptuous to say that his stories were prophetic in a way. Published in 2009, the stories in irish girl won an o. Tim johnstons latest novel has an unusual take on the parentsworstnightmare scenario of child abduction. In johnstons sorrowful and suspenseful first adult novel, a family is forced to face its worst nightmare when one of its members goes missing. Shop for books at and browse categories like young adult books, childrens books, mystery books, adult coloring books and cook books. Author of the young adult novel never so green and the story collection irish girl. Instead of telling her story, the author follows the courtlands through first the weeks, then the months and finally the years of despair they endure following that fateful morning.
Descent takes as its starting point the kidnapping of a young woman on. Tim johnston has written a book that makes gone girl seem gimmicky. The carpenter is best known for descent and irish girl. A fascinating part of this novel is that it has some historical bits as the foundation of the story. It is probably me being too linear in my thinkings. Its a thriller because it concerns a girl of 18 who is abducted during a family vacation in colorados rocky mountains. The washington post the rocky mountains have cast their spell over the courtlands, who are taking a family vacation before their daughter leaves for college. Whether by design or sheer coincidence, his books predicted the political and social climate that exists today. He is best known for his mountain man, ashes and eagles series. Playing with various interpretations of its title, descent starts off. Johnston has a superhuman gift for watching and listening to the world and rendering, on the page, its beauty and savagery with such detail and power that the story feels almost more like memory than.
It is not my job to explain the story or understand the story or reduce it to a. Dennis lehane, author in this thoughtful yet driving mystery, two young women plunge into a minnesota river, but only one comes out alive. Aug 03, 2016 tim johnstons chilling novel leaves the reader to wonder if caitlin is dead or alive. This study guide consists of approximately 34 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the descent. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. Grant and angela courtlands marriage might not be rock solid, but its working when they take their two children, 18yearold collegebound track star caitlin and shy 15yearold sean, on vacation in the colorado rockies. Tim johnstons second novel and third work of fiction is definitely a case of the latter. Tim johnston, a native of iowa city, is the author of the current and the new york times bestseller descent, as well as a young adult novel, never so green, and the story collection irish girl, winner of the katherine anne porter prize in short fiction. Susan isaacs, author of goldberg variations easily one of the best literary thrillers ive ever read. Descent by tim johnston discussion questions these are the discussion questions that our group used when talking about this book. Vanity fair an original and psychologically deep thriller. Butmore than the type of book theres something more, something that lingers, that keeps me coming back to it.
I enjoyed hearing what my fellow members had to say more than. The rocky mountains have cast their spell over the courtlands, who are taking a family vacation before their daughter leaves for college. Tim johnston strikes a remarkable balance here, showcasing his literary prowess. Their newest book is the jackals and was released on january, 29th 2019. On the other hand, i didnt want to read too fast or too far so that i could dole out the pages like bites of a splendid meal. Washington post this is much more than your typical thriller. I wholeheartedly recommend johnstons new novel, but do not go in expecting to find another descent. Descent by tim johnston discussion questions book journey. Descent is a twisty thrillerplus tim johnstons suspenseful novel follows a family that begins to come apart after their teenage daughter is abducted during a mountain vacation. Tim johnston is the author of the novels descent and the current jan 22, 2019, the story collection irish girl, and the young adult novel never so green. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion on the descent.
It is an emotional story of evil, fear, acceptance and irony. The magic of his prose equals the horror of johnstons story. Jan 17, 2019 the ending was far from neat and tidy, which i truly appreciate. The novels protagonists are the parents and younger brother of caitlin courtland, a bright, collegebound teenager who is abducted on the first day of. To experience the full power of a novel like descent, one must go into it cold, with no set expectations or ideas of what happens outside of the basic plot as given in the synopsis. An extremely prolific writer, he would end up writing nearly 200 books in a wide variety of genres. Tim johnston dave groeber absence can be a presence, weighing down on the lives of those left behind. You want to set this one down so you can take a breath and keep reading all at the same time. I really loved johnstons previous novel, descent, so i mean it as an enormous compliment when i say that this book blows that one out of the water. Tim johnston reads an excerpt from his novel descent, published in january by algonquin books. Jan 06, 2015 lucky for us, tim johnston is an excellent writer. The descent holds a special place in my literary heart.
Tim johnston s new novel, the current, is an exceptional tale of suspicion and secretsand a strong followup to his excellent 2015 book, descent. Tim johnston is a bestselling american author that writes thrillers and short stories. Descent by tim johnston 2015, hardcover for sale online ebay. How the whole story is resolved is well written is well presented. And for the last year, that book has been descent by tim johnston. Henry prize, the new letters award for writers, and the gival press short story award, while the collection itself won the 2009 katherine anne porter prize in short fiction. The denver post what makes the novel unforgettable is its sense of character, its deliberate, unadorned prose and johnstons unflinching exploration of human endurance, physical and psychological. Though their relationship as roommates is fraught with tension and misunderstanding, caroline and audrey continue to be drawn together throughout their time at college. Tim johnstons second novel, the current, is even better than his first, which is saying something. And if still living, then to imagine the horror that has become her existence. Its literary because johnstons prose is lyrical, even poetic, to a degree rarely found in. The courtland family goes to the colorado rockies for a vacation. Jan 06, 2015 listen to descent audiobook by tim johnston. The descent is a 1999 science fictionhorror novel by american author jeff long.
Tim johnstons newest novel is the current 2019, algonquin. Published in 2009, the stories of irish girl won an o. Tim johnston is the author of the story collection irish girl and the novels never so green and descent. Outside magazine descent is the best novel ive read in a long time. The oprah magazine tim johnstons highwire literary thriller. Tim johnston born iowa city is the author of the story collection irish girl and the novels never so green and descent. Only then can a reader fully appreciate the scope of the novel and everything mr. Why i cant stop recommending this book off the shelf. Johnston tracks the dissolution of a family following the disappearance of the teenage daughter during a colorado vacation. This was recommended in last weeks comments as a great book for chris pavone fans. Its literary because johnston s prose is lyrical, even poetic, to a degree rarely found in fiction, literary or otherwise. Johnstone 19382004 was an american author of western, horror and survivalist novels.
And here is a quote from carlson that nails, perfectly, why tim johnstons novel descent works so well. Johnston has a superhuman gift for watching and listening to the world and rendering, on the page, its beauty and savagery with such detail and power that the story feels almost more like. Although, if literary fiction isnt your thing, id say pass. Feel free to use these for your group discussion as well.
J a johnstone doesnt seem to have an upcoming book. Jan 06, 2015 descent is a twisty thrillerplus tim johnstons suspenseful novel follows a family that begins to come apart after their teenage daughter is abducted during a mountain vacation. Sometimes a book draws you in so thoroughly you lose yourself in its world. You want to set this one down so you can take a breath, and keep readingall at the same time. The current is a gorgeous, heartrending punch to the gut, and i loved every page. The premise of descent, a new novel by tim johnston, is a familiar one. If you enjoy vivid writing, intelligent plots, and gnawing your knuckles, you will love descent. The girl disappears on a summer vacation, kidnapped, in the rocky mountains and the family thats left, the father, mother and brother must go on with their lives not knowing where she is, if she is still alive. Descent is a harrowing story about a family searching for a daughter that has disappeared.
Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Descent sags a bit in the middle, when johnston allows the story to diverge into a few too many subplots, but overall the novel demonstrates. Descent by tim johnston those looking for a legitimate page turner need to look no further than descent, a novel with a ripped from the headlines feel. Tim johnston, a native of iowa city, is the author of the bestselling descent, as well as a young adult novel, never so green, and the story collection irish girl, winner of the katherine anne porter prize in short fiction. From the life before her name was caitlin, she was eighteen, and her own heart would sometimes wake herflying away in that dreamrace where finish lines grew farther away not nearer, where knees turned to taffy, or feet to stones. Tim johnston is the author of the novel descent, the story collection irish girl, and the young adult novel never so green. Johnstone is a good writer is definitely an understatement. He is a prolific writer that was well ahead of his time. Tim johnston is the author of the debut adult novel descent, the story collection. Tim johnston is the author of the novels the current and descent, the story collection irish girl, and the ya novel never so green. Find books like descent from the worlds largest community of readers. Tim johnston is the author of the debut adult novel descent, the story collection irish girl, and the young adult novel never so green.
Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. A new york times, usa today, and indie national bestseller, descent has been published internationally and optioned for film. Thats the premise behind descent, a slow boil of a thriller by tim johnston. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. Descent dont miss tim johnstons new novel, the current, available january 22, 2019. The son, who turns 18 in the three years of the novel, is brave and troubleprone but. His mother loved poetry but the author was more interested in drawing. It describes the discovery and exploration of an extensive labyrinth of tunnels and passages stretching throughout the earths upper mantle, found to be inhabited by a malicious species of alternatelyevolved troglofauna hominids. He has been voted the bestselling writer by the new york times and usa today.
Its literary because johnstons prose is lyrical, even poetic, to a degree rarely found in fiction, literary or otherwise. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read descent. He doesnt focus so much on the abductee, caitlin courtland, but instead on what caitlins disappearance does to the men in her life. Unlike most books that fall into the category of page turner, this one also falls in the category of writing so good you cant even believe it. Descent by tim johnston if you havent read johnstons debut, you should. Tim johnstons suspenseful novel follows a family that begins to come. Johnstone is a celebrated writer who has won numerous awards. Jan 22, 2019 tim johnstons new novel, the current, is an exceptional tale of suspicion and secretsand a strong followup to his excellent 2015 book, descent. The bestselling novel that follows a rare manuscript through centuries of exile and war, from the author of the secret chord and of march, winner of the pulitzer prize. A young woman turns nancy drew after losing her friend and her father to accident and illness in johnstons the descent, 2015, etc.
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