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The Other
The Other | David Guterson
5 posts | 4 read | 1 reading | 2 to read
Seattle, 1972: Neil Countryman and John William Barry, two teenage boys from very different backgrounds, are at the start of an 800m race. Their lives collide for the first time, and so begins an extraordinary friendship. As they grow older Neil follows the conventional route of the American dream, but the eccentric, fiercely intelligent John William makes radically different choices, dropping out of college and moving deep into the woods. Convinced it is the only way to live without hypocrisy, John William enlists Neil to help him disappear completely, drawing his oldest friend into a web of secrets and agonising responsibility, deceit and tragedy - one that will finally break open with an unexpected, life-altering revelation.
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review
MommyWantsToReadHerBook
The Other | David Guterson
Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐ for the beautiful writing, the nature descriptions, the shrewd and true observations on people. The hermit character and his beliefs were just a tad too obscure for me, and at one point the father's reminiscences were a bit much. Nevertheless enjoyable, thought-provoking and well done.

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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
The Other | David Guterson

"I suppose I've thrown in my lot with love, and don't know any other way to go on breathing. I embrace this world... and suffer it consciously for its compensations, and fully expect to awake one day to the consequences of the bargain I've struck, since life, eventually, closes in."

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MommyWantsToReadHerBook
The Other | David Guterson
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In Afrikaans, Holy Saturday is called Quiet Saturday. My children are with their dad and aside from going to the farmer's market this morning, which was crazy busy, I don't have anything planned and I got into bed with my book. David Guterson is really my jam - his books don't have to be perfect in every way for the beautiful writing to move me.

BarbaraBB I loved another book by him and have meant to read more, so thanks for bringing this book to my attention! 7mo
MommyWantsToReadHerBook @BarbaraBB the other novel by him I've read is Our lady of the Forest, which is for sure super unique. And I was also looking at East of the Mountain in the library. SFOC is his most famous book but I enjoy these lesser known novels for his beautiful writing. 7mo
BarbaraBB Great, thanks. I‘ll be on the lookout for this one and Our Lady! 7mo
30 likes3 comments
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Bigwig
The Other | David Guterson
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Pickpick

This is a beautiful novel. The narrator, a candid, sensitive soul named Neil Countryman, reflects on the conventional path of his life in contrast to his best friend John William‘s radical multi-year withdrawal into the literal and philosophical wilderness. Neil is such a compelling voice - insights are rendered gently but firmly and I can‘t imagine any reader not wanting to take a long walk in the woods after finishing this sobering treasure.

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Victoria_Clyne
The Other | David Guterson
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Excited to start my #bookspin book on my commute. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 5y
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