Book Club
Each week, members of the ForeWord staff choose a book to read and discuss. An excerpt from each book is available only during the week that book is featured. We encourage you to read the current book or past selections, and post your comments. To add a comment, just click the Comments link below each primary blog entry. Let's talk about books!
 Tuesday, March 11, 2008
On Ice - by Red Evans
A twelve-year-old boy from West Virginia, a banjo player and a flatulent dog set out for Louisiana in a 1959 Studebaker pickup truck. In a kiddy pool full of ice, is the corpse of Tyrane Percival. Their mission is to bury Tyrane where he is meant to be, next to his long-lost love, Leona. Young Eldridge and his new pal Felton soon learn that transporting a body that distance is more difficult than they had anticipated as they are pursued by a motorcycle gang and well-meaning bumbling police in this heart-warming and funny road adventure.

“Evans’ humor is broad but infectious ... Evans uses offbeat humor to both entertain and move his readers.” —Booklist

Red Evans passed away January 13, 2008. Red saw humor and life in everything. His joyous spirit is immortalized in his wonderful novel On Ice. Red Evans had a varied career in the print, radio and television media and traveled extensively throughout the world to research his writing projects. He lived in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Cloth hardcover 6x9” | Pages 208 | Fiction US$ 19.95 / CDN$ 21.95 | ISBN 9781601640154


posted on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 2:52:01 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    Comments [8] Trackback
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 9:06:19 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
As a fellow Kunati author, I was so saddened by Red Evans' death. We had barely had time to get to know him.

But I can say this much: the man had a wickedly sharp sense of humor. And you'll see that when you read his humorous novel On Ice, a book that may remind you somewhat of National Lampoon's Vacation (you know, the movie with Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo?). Yes, Red's On Ice is definitely reminiscent of that road trip, complete with a dog and a dead body. If you enjoy a laugh-out-loud read, get this book!

I think Foreword's choice of On Ice for the book club is an awesome tribute to a man who lived his dream--to see his novel published. I am so glad he succeeded.

We miss you, Red.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author of Whale Song (2007 - Kunati Books)
Cheryl Kaye Tardif | cherylktardifAT NOSPAMshaw dot ca
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:17:26 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
SOMETHING SMELLS GOOD!

This is William Faulkner after smoking mushrooms and penning As I Lay Dying.

Finally, more good Southern fried literary mischief, and it comes in the form of some scraggly and hilarious characters ... and a dog. You can't ever go wrong when you've got a dog in the story, and I'd have to say the dog might now live famously in the history of comic literature ... but what you really take away from this wonderfully funny and heart tugging tale is the feeling that if you never give up and continually defeat the lunatics in your life like certain suit salesmen ... then you'll win. There's no doubt in my mind. And I know because I'm sort of a lunatic.

Todd Sentell, author of Toonamint of Champions
Todd Sentell | toddsentellAT NOSPAMhotmail dot com
Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:47:07 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
ON ICE is just plain funny. I wasn't around Kunati when Red was alive, although I did correspond with him some through My Space, and he was very encouraging to me. ON ICE captures the rural South beautifully.

Beth Fehlbaum, author
Courage in Patience, a story of hope for those who have endured abuse
http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com
Beth Fehlbaum | bethAT NOSPAMbethfehlbaum dot com
Thursday, March 13, 2008 1:47:50 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
As a fall 2008 Kunati author, Red passed before I joined the Kunati family, so I never got a chance to "meet" him. But I can tell from his writing that he had a wicked sense of humor, which I always find a great delight. I'm also a big fan of road trip stories ala "Little Miss Sunshine" and think Red's book would make a terrific movie. Thanks for honoring him!
Wendy Aron | wendysueAT NOSPAMoptonline dot net
Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:52:57 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
I am a fall 2008 Kunati author and as such never got the chance to meet this wonderfully talented man. I have had the opportunity to read some of his work; his writing certainly does him justice - it is funny, delightful and full of life. On Ice is a little gem of a book.

Ivana Hruba, author of A Decent Ransom
Ivana Hruba | ivanahrubaAT NOSPAMoptusnet dot com dot au
Monday, March 17, 2008 3:25:54 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
I'm halfway through On Ice, and am enjoying the story. Once you get past the overly heavy southern accents thrown full-force at the reader in the first few pages, it is an easy read. The main characters are beginning to develop at the halfway point. This is a fast-moving tale told from the viewpoint of an outspoken 12-year-old boy. I am enjoying the story, but have to admit I am a bit put off by the way so many of the small town residents are depicted as simpletons with only a first-grade command of the English language. For me, the overly exaggerated accents and intentional spelling errors detract from the storytelling, which is excellent.
Dan Nielsen | danAT NOSPAMforewordmagazine dot com
Thursday, March 20, 2008 3:58:48 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
Finished On Ice yesterday. I liked the book. It was a quick read - the action flowed well and the plot moved right along. I'm still not too excited about the way the kid and his economically challenged family are portrayed, but I could still recommend this book for the young teen market. With it's outrageous characters and non-stop action, On Ice would make a fine fast-paced Hollywood comedy.
Dan Nielsen | danAT NOSPAMforewordmagazine dot com
Monday, March 24, 2008 5:55:56 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)
I'm about a quarter of the way through and I'm really enjoying this book. It's like a ridiculous version of Faulkner's As I Lay Dying (which was pretty absurd anyway). I like the way the kid speaks and his tell-it-like-it-is style, which seems pretty accurate for a twelve-year-old. I'm looking forward to reading more about this mysterious cousin who went to jail, had a band, and lost the love of his life only to turn into a quiet recluse who died choking on a bone.
Whitney Hallberg | whitneyAT NOSPAMforewordmagazine dot com
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