Liked what you read? Let everyone know!
N.B. Review copies are not for resale
The Essence of Nathan Biddle by J. William Lewis
Greenleaf Publishing
June 1, 2021
$27.95 Hardcover
ISBN:
9781626348462
A timeless, Southern Gothic-esque, coming-of-age novel that unfolds on the Alabama coast in the 1950s, The Essence of Nathan Biddle follows a young protagonist’s search for meaning, for purpose—and for answers.
“Eloquent, provocative, and beautifully written, The Essence of Nathan Biddle is like discovering The Catcher in the Rye all over again.”
–David Armstrong, author of The Rising Place
Kit Biddle, nearing the end of his high school career, finds himself tangled in a web of spiritual quandaries and intellectual absurdities. Kit’s angst is only compounded by the psychological burden of his crazy uncle Nat, who sacrifices Kit’s metaphorical doppelganger, Nathan Biddle, on what the uncle claimed were direct orders from God. The murder of Nathan leaves Kit adrift, exacerbating his already compulsive struggle with existential questions about the meaning of his life.
But when Kit’s irrational decision to steal a maintenance truck and speed aimlessly down the highway ends in a horrific accident and months of both physical and emotional convalescence, Kit is forced to examine his perceptions of his life and his version of reality. Calamity focuses Kit’s mind, and forces him to confront the problems plaguing him. Readers will cheer as Kit’s tide begins to turn and he comes to terms with the necessity of engagement with life’s pain, pleasure … and absurdity.
Beautifully written, profoundly moving, and resplendent with characters destined to remain with readers long after the last page is turned, The Essence of Nathan Biddle is unforgettable
About the author: Novelist J. William Lewis lives in Shoal Creek, Alabama
For a free review copy, email essenceofnathanbiddle@gmail.com.
Blog Home
All Blogs
RSS