“As they walked and established a pace, he felt the stiffness work out of his legs. A knot in one of his calves began to loosen as he raised his face to the mountain air. His breathing took on a rhythm and his mind began to clear. This would be the work of the day. Boots on a trail, inching their way forward, out of doors and out of mind except where he let his thoughts wander. They would do one thing at a time: make a fire, drink cold water, doze in the shade. All the while the clarifying beat of their stride would lend purpose to the exertion. They were proceeding a span of twelve miles, from one shelter to another, spurred on by the reward of a meal with new friends, time spent together, and the simple accomplishment of a goal. Their business was as ancient as footprints and as simple as onrushing wind. They were free.”
“A captivating read, and one that’s hard not to race through. Do yourself a favor, though. Take your time and savor every moment. This is a wonderful book.” Washington Independent Review of Books
Order online, or purchase wherever books are sold:
Map design by Oscar Brumelis, trailgoals.com
“Behind the Mic” Podcast with Jo Reed and Michelle Cobb
“A Father’s Tale”: Profile in BC Law Magazine
“I’ll Follow You” Podcast: Interview with Allison Felus
AudioFile Earphones Award: “A subtly mesmerizing listen with a stellar performance.”
Washington Independent Review of Books: “A captivating exploration of who we become when the world goes dark.”
The Boston Globe: “A tenderly wrought father-son novel…ripe for book-club discussion.”
Shelf Awareness (starred review): “A terse, well-paced story…a frighteningly plausible national emergency.”
Above the Fire at The Page 69 Test
The Campaign for the American Reader: Interview
Writers Corner Interview on The Nerd Daily
Apple Books: Twelve Writers to Watch. “A bleak yet beautiful portrait of a world in crisis…the stakes feel incredibly real.”
Library Journal: “[A] journey of bonding and healing for a father and son wounded by loss that is surprisingly tender.”
Booklist (starred review): “An utterly gripping debut novel about humans surmounting threats both external and emotional.”
Library Journal Day of Dialogue 2023: Fiction/Survival Panel
Chicago Tribune: When Will the Great Pandemic Novel Be Published?