Farr Point Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sam Havens, the author of Farr Point, evokes a milieu long past but fondly and accurately rendered -- small town Texas in the 1950s. The protagonist is a high school student who moves to a tiny town with his widowed mother. The town's culture is alien to him, but he soon finds himself caught in a net of mystery, murder and sensuality, while trying to figure out how to make his way in the world of adults. The characters are very familiar to me. Disclosure: I went to high school in a small Texas town with the author, who grew up to be a wonderful playwright, director and professor. His fiction makes a similar, fictional town and its fictional inhabitants much more interesting than our drab little place! The novel spins out finely-drawn story lines and memorable characters. Highly recommended.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Small towns like the imaginary "Farr Point" have a strange dynamic. It is only a slight exaggeration saying everyone knows everyone else and everybody knows everyone else's business. They can also seem insular, with few outsiders moving in and out. Sixty years ago, when this story takes place, this would have been even more true than today. Drop newcomer Eddie Tipton into a school where he'll be looked on suspiciously, not only for being a newcomer, but also the son of the new teacher in town, and that conflict alone is the basis of a decent story.
Small towns also have secrets. Eddie becomes obsessed with one of the mysteries of "Farr Point," the unsolved murder of his landlady's oilman husband. As he uncovers clues to the mystery Eddie is forced to make into making some tough decisions and learns several life lessons. "Farr Point" is an enjoyable coming-of-age story and strong debut novel.
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Farr Point" is like comfort food; satisfying and easy on the memories. I am usually a reader of science fiction, but this was recommended by my wife. I'm certainly of an age to enjoy it, and the Texas setting with suitable memory ties to the middle of the last century suited me just fine.
I found the characters to be believable and the plot to be quite engaging. I'm certainly much older than most of the main characters in the story, but the way it is written, that age difference is not really important.
This novel is well worth your time spent reading. You'll go away satisfied, but wishing there was a next one waiting in the wings.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I read this book on a whim. It was only .99 cents after all and I am dieting, so candy bars are out. But what a sweet book this is. It reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird. It made one come to know, understand and respect the first person author. Moreover, I came to know many of the characters, for the landlady who was kindly, drank to much and too much like a sophisticated but dirty old woman through the African-American handyman. I wanted the main character to marry his high school girl friend and when it is announced that one of the characters has died, near the end of the book, I was clearly saddened. This really was one of the very best books I have read in years. There are traces of humor, to be sure, but mostly it is a wonderful portrayal of life in small town Texas in the 1950s. Character development is superb. Unlike The Last Picture Show, however, the ending is more upbeat. A great read. No one will go wrong reading this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. The small town, new to town, trying to fit in flavor was captured well. I don't want to be a spoiler and say what, but was surprised at some of the turns of the story. It was a quick, fun read. I am looking forward to more from this author.
5.0 out of 5 stars
FABULOUS, March 20, 2011
This is the best book I have read in a long time. I could not put it down. From the moment you start reading, the story pulls you in. I love the use of imagery and the richness of the characters. I would highly recommend it!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent afternoon read, March 14, 2011
I don't usually read these types of books, being more into fantasy. But after having this suggested to me, I'm glad I did! This was a slice-of-life from a different time period - before my time, 1950's - and I totally enjoyed it. I found the characters and the story engaging and well thought out, and it was an excellent Saturday afternoon read. With memorable characters, like the crazy, old guy, Pit Fancher and his dog, Bone, this novel is well written, an enjoyable read and free of the grammatical errors that many of the self-published Kindle e-books contain. And with the "easy-on-the-Kindle-card" price tag, you just can't go wrong with this one.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great storytelling - thoroughly enjoyable read!, March 3, 2011
I downloaded this wirelessly to my Kindle. .99 cents? This book has a great deal of bang for the [single] buck being charged. I purchased it on a Wednesday evening, stayed up until 1am reading it, then finished it up the next morning. I enjoyed the read so much I simply didn't want to put it down. Told from the viewpoint of 18-year old Eddie, this intelligent and unique coming-of-age tale is brimming with small Texas-town intrigue, two murders and a father-less boy trying to make sense of his life, the world around him, and the sudden loss of an unexpected mentor/father-figure. Eddie lives with his widowed, school teacher mother. They just make ends meet on her meager salary, though they rent rooms in the richest house in town. The book is filled with rich contrasts that move the story along at a scintilating & steady pace. Truly a great read!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sam Havens, the author of Farr Point, evokes a milieu long past but fondly and accurately rendered -- small town Texas in the 1950s. The protagonist is a high school student who moves to a tiny town with his widowed mother. The town's culture is alien to him, but he soon finds himself caught in a net of mystery, murder and sensuality, while trying to figure out how to make his way in the world of adults. The characters are very familiar to me. Disclosure: I went to high school in a small Texas town with the author, who grew up to be a wonderful playwright, director and professor. His fiction makes a similar, fictional town and its fictional inhabitants much more interesting than our drab little place! The novel spins out finely-drawn story lines and memorable characters. Highly recommended.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Small towns like the imaginary "Farr Point" have a strange dynamic. It is only a slight exaggeration saying everyone knows everyone else and everybody knows everyone else's business. They can also seem insular, with few outsiders moving in and out. Sixty years ago, when this story takes place, this would have been even more true than today. Drop newcomer Eddie Tipton into a school where he'll be looked on suspiciously, not only for being a newcomer, but also the son of the new teacher in town, and that conflict alone is the basis of a decent story.
Small towns also have secrets. Eddie becomes obsessed with one of the mysteries of "Farr Point," the unsolved murder of his landlady's oilman husband. As he uncovers clues to the mystery Eddie is forced to make into making some tough decisions and learns several life lessons. "Farr Point" is an enjoyable coming-of-age story and strong debut novel.
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Farr Point" is like comfort food; satisfying and easy on the memories. I am usually a reader of science fiction, but this was recommended by my wife. I'm certainly of an age to enjoy it, and the Texas setting with suitable memory ties to the middle of the last century suited me just fine.
I found the characters to be believable and the plot to be quite engaging. I'm certainly much older than most of the main characters in the story, but the way it is written, that age difference is not really important.
This novel is well worth your time spent reading. You'll go away satisfied, but wishing there was a next one waiting in the wings.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I read this book on a whim. It was only .99 cents after all and I am dieting, so candy bars are out. But what a sweet book this is. It reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird. It made one come to know, understand and respect the first person author. Moreover, I came to know many of the characters, for the landlady who was kindly, drank to much and too much like a sophisticated but dirty old woman through the African-American handyman. I wanted the main character to marry his high school girl friend and when it is announced that one of the characters has died, near the end of the book, I was clearly saddened. This really was one of the very best books I have read in years. There are traces of humor, to be sure, but mostly it is a wonderful portrayal of life in small town Texas in the 1950s. Character development is superb. Unlike The Last Picture Show, however, the ending is more upbeat. A great read. No one will go wrong reading this book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. The small town, new to town, trying to fit in flavor was captured well. I don't want to be a spoiler and say what, but was surprised at some of the turns of the story. It was a quick, fun read. I am looking forward to more from this author.
5.0 out of 5 stars
FABULOUS, March 20, 2011
This is the best book I have read in a long time. I could not put it down. From the moment you start reading, the story pulls you in. I love the use of imagery and the richness of the characters. I would highly recommend it!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent afternoon read, March 14, 2011
I don't usually read these types of books, being more into fantasy. But after having this suggested to me, I'm glad I did! This was a slice-of-life from a different time period - before my time, 1950's - and I totally enjoyed it. I found the characters and the story engaging and well thought out, and it was an excellent Saturday afternoon read. With memorable characters, like the crazy, old guy, Pit Fancher and his dog, Bone, this novel is well written, an enjoyable read and free of the grammatical errors that many of the self-published Kindle e-books contain. And with the "easy-on-the-Kindle-card" price tag, you just can't go wrong with this one.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great storytelling - thoroughly enjoyable read!, March 3, 2011
I downloaded this wirelessly to my Kindle. .99 cents? This book has a great deal of bang for the [single] buck being charged. I purchased it on a Wednesday evening, stayed up until 1am reading it, then finished it up the next morning. I enjoyed the read so much I simply didn't want to put it down. Told from the viewpoint of 18-year old Eddie, this intelligent and unique coming-of-age tale is brimming with small Texas-town intrigue, two murders and a father-less boy trying to make sense of his life, the world around him, and the sudden loss of an unexpected mentor/father-figure. Eddie lives with his widowed, school teacher mother. They just make ends meet on her meager salary, though they rent rooms in the richest house in town. The book is filled with rich contrasts that move the story along at a scintilating & steady pace. Truly a great read!
