The Surfer

by Robb Skidmore

A novella of psychological suspense. Walter’s life falls apart after his family perishes in a plane crash, leaving him isolated and volatile. He becomes fixated with surfing, and flies to the Big Island in a last ditch effort to overcome despair about life. His surfing leads to an unexpected result. A vacationing couple then befriends him and takes him on an adventure. The Surfer is a journey into the imperfection of one man’s soul. It explores the beauty and unpredictability of nature, and of life, and the strange lure of surf.

ebook

First published March 8, 2011

About the author

Robb Skidmore is a novelist who currently lives in Southern California. He writes upmarket fiction which combines a literary sensibility with honest and deep characterizations. He started out as a maniacal scribbler in journals during college and later attended several fiction workshops. His short stories have appeared in many literary reviews and publications. His critically acclaimed and cult classic novel, The Pursuit of Cool, was a Quarter Finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest and a Winner of a Next Generation Indie Award. It is a coming of age story that captures Generation X and what it was like to be young and attending college in America in the 1980’s. Full of humor and heartbreak, it follows a music, movie and pop culture obsessed, tragically romantic young man who struggles to find himself in the success driven 80’s.

Praise for The Pursuit of Cool:

“A skilled writer… A smart account of ’80s college kids… the novel believably summons the ’80s, complete with floppy disks, 9 1/2 Weeks on VHS and R.E.M. cassettes.”
--Kirkus Indie Review

“…A novel surrounding college student Lance Rally, as he seeks to rise to the top of the social ladder by finding what cool is, only to be swept into the whirlpool of its many definitions. With plenty of humor and a strong moral on the purpose of youth, The Pursuit of Cool is a strong pick for general fiction collections and those who want an original take on the college dynamic.”
--Midwest Book Review

"...An excellent job of taking a character and creating his time and place perfectly. A totally enjoyable flashback ride…"
--Dew on the Kudzu

“Skidmore has skillfully crafted a sympathetic protagonist whom readers root for… and the narration has an understated lyrical quality.”
--Watch Me Bounce

"From The Clash to Joy Division to Bauhaus…It centers the reader in that hopeful era of high expectations and jaded reality. A great debut, and I can't wait to read more from Robb Skidmore."
--The Book Fetish

A novel that uniquely captures the 1980s, The Pursuit of Cool tells the story of Lance Rally and his turbulent college years. He comes from a super-achieving family and is intent on being a big success. But he is also an inept, hopeless romantic, obsessed with pop culture, and prone to distraction. Friendships with a punk rocker and a subversive scholar challenge his worldview, and relationships with a beautiful psych major and a feisty goth girl shape and change him. This coming-of-age journey is a funny and emotional ride through album covers, dance techniques, all-nighter revelations, and corporate internships gone bad. The story comes alive with music and movies which give Lance solace as he questions his beliefs and his heart gets crushed. He tries to capture that illusive quality, that magic of youth, the essence that is "cool."

His ebook short novella THE SURFER is a tale of suspense which explores the beauty and unpredictability of nature, and of life, and the strange lure of surf.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I identify with Walter in several ways. Yes, I am getting on in years, but I still hear the waves and smell the brine in the air. My love for the ocean and all things beach will never die. I have only two real regrets in my life....really. I regret waiting until my mid-twenties to set foot on a golf course. I have lived very near both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans and I regret now living so far inland, far away from any beach.

Robb's description of the waves' careless bullying of the wannabe surfer helped me feel Walter's pain as I remembered the many times the ocean had its way with me over the years, and damned near killed me more than once. I haven't been on a surfboard in many years, but I'm still a darned good body surfer. I ride the waves every time I can get back to a beach.

I know from personal experience that a short story can be a complete story. This story did, however, leave me wanting more....mgc

[Candi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was great! I agree that the characters are people you can invest in, especially the main one. A good read over dinner and a very satisfying read as well. Covers a real range of emotions but left me happy. Totally enjoyed it.

[Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, short dynamic look at dealing with grief...and perhaps accepting it. Walter is an icon for anyone who has lost loved ones well before their time. Only regret is that I wish it had been longer. Ended well before it's time!!

[Karen Attaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!