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An Echo Through the Trees
This is the story of Chase Krause, a man who sets out with his best friend, Josh, to camp for a weekend deep in the snow-filled wilderness. What starts off as the hunt of a lifetime quickly becomes the struggle of a lifetime. At the same time, Chase is forced to grapple with a nearly non-existent relationship with his father.
Set against the backdrop of Minnesota's picturesque north woods, it is a story of fathers and sons, broken relationships and healing, and triumph over circumstance. More importantly, it is a story of letting go.
Set against the backdrop of Minnesota's picturesque north woods, it is a story of fathers and sons, broken relationships and healing, and triumph over circumstance. More importantly, it is a story of letting go.
96 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2001
8 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Michael Galloway
25 books63 followersI am an outdoors enthusiast whose interests include camping, fishing, hiking, writing and technology. I have a B.A. in Journalism, and have also been writing software in one language or another for over twenty years.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 17, 2018
I am not sure what age range this was meant for. It didn't deal very deeply with many of the issues it brought up. So I have an inkling this may have been meant for a younger audience. For example forgiveness was very superficially treated. I was a bit confused about what was even said concerning it. Karen urged her son, Chase, to forgive the father who had abandoned him, which is right and good. But then she says he may even have to forgive himself. That didn't resonate as there seemed no indication of failure on his part. As a young kid dealing with the absence of a father is hard but Chase dealt with it in fairly healthy and reasonable ways. I didn't see a lot that he did to hinder the process.
I did appreciate though the relationship between Chase and his mother, Karen. They cared deeply for the other, giving each other space they needed. It was precious how Chase encouraged his mother in her painting and how she allowed him to pursue dreams of his own, hunting and bagging his first deer.
Surprisingly, I did not even know if this was a Christian book until almost the end. There was no thread throughout to give me an awareness so I was surprised when Christianity introduced. It came on page 86 of 97 pages. I have to admit that I cringed a bit, when the grandmother responded to Karen's worry with a flippant use of a Scriptural idea that was completely wrong. When the mom, Karen, learns that her son may be caught in a huge snowstorm, while hunting, she begins to worry. Unknown to her, Chase, has passed out in the snow and almost freezes to death. Somehow he is found, it never is quite clear how that happened, but when Karen calls her mother for comfort this is what she is told,
"Dear, it's like my mother said to me growing up. She said, Dear you're never given more than you can handle."
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning you should have faith, dear. They'll make it through."
Unfortunately, there is no verse in the Bible that says we are not given more than we can handle. The Bible does not say that we won't have to face hard things that are devastating. We are often faced with tragedy and have to completely lean on Jesus. We will face things that completely break us. What the misquoted verse does say is this, we will not be tempted beyond our ability because Jesus provides a way of escape. So completely different meaning.
I kept reading because I wanted some resolution but when it came it was not completely satisfying.
I did appreciate though the relationship between Chase and his mother, Karen. They cared deeply for the other, giving each other space they needed. It was precious how Chase encouraged his mother in her painting and how she allowed him to pursue dreams of his own, hunting and bagging his first deer.
Surprisingly, I did not even know if this was a Christian book until almost the end. There was no thread throughout to give me an awareness so I was surprised when Christianity introduced. It came on page 86 of 97 pages. I have to admit that I cringed a bit, when the grandmother responded to Karen's worry with a flippant use of a Scriptural idea that was completely wrong. When the mom, Karen, learns that her son may be caught in a huge snowstorm, while hunting, she begins to worry. Unknown to her, Chase, has passed out in the snow and almost freezes to death. Somehow he is found, it never is quite clear how that happened, but when Karen calls her mother for comfort this is what she is told,
"Dear, it's like my mother said to me growing up. She said, Dear you're never given more than you can handle."
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning you should have faith, dear. They'll make it through."
Unfortunately, there is no verse in the Bible that says we are not given more than we can handle. The Bible does not say that we won't have to face hard things that are devastating. We are often faced with tragedy and have to completely lean on Jesus. We will face things that completely break us. What the misquoted verse does say is this, we will not be tempted beyond our ability because Jesus provides a way of escape. So completely different meaning.
I kept reading because I wanted some resolution but when it came it was not completely satisfying.
November 24, 2011
This is a bittersweet story. It is not just a story of Chase coming to terms with his father's abandonment, but also his mother coming to terms with Chase's leaving home. You never get to "see" Chase's father, but you do get to see the effect he has had on his son and ex-wife's lives. Chase has continued to write letters to his father in hopes that he can form some semblance of a relationship with him, even though his father hasn't written back in years. His mother had made him the center of her world. (not a bad thing, she is his mom) But when he leaves for college she finds herself at a loss, with no one to cater to but herself, and not sure exactly what she wants.
The story itself spans a winter weekend, when Chase and his buddy Josh have decided to go hunting. For
Chase it is only the second trip he has ever been on and he hopes to redeem himself by actually bagging a deer. Karen, his mother, has decided to step out of her comfort zone, and enter one of her paintings in a local art sale. She's not necessarily looking for fame or fortune, but looking for something new to fill her time now that her son is no longer at home. Neither one's weekend ends quite the way they expected. (no spoilers I promise) I would have preferred a more conclusive ending, but aside from that the story was fine enough.
I think this was a decent read. Even if you are not a hunter, or not into hunting. While the hunting itself is an important part of the story, it isn't THE story. The book is only 94 pages long, not a major time investment, but I think it would make a great stocking stuffer. I think even younger male teens would enjoy the book.
*****In compliance with FTC guidelines, I'm disclosing that I received this book for free through GoodReads First Reads. ****
(I recommend everybody should go check out all the awesome first read giveaways they have!)
The story itself spans a winter weekend, when Chase and his buddy Josh have decided to go hunting. For
Chase it is only the second trip he has ever been on and he hopes to redeem himself by actually bagging a deer. Karen, his mother, has decided to step out of her comfort zone, and enter one of her paintings in a local art sale. She's not necessarily looking for fame or fortune, but looking for something new to fill her time now that her son is no longer at home. Neither one's weekend ends quite the way they expected. (no spoilers I promise) I would have preferred a more conclusive ending, but aside from that the story was fine enough.
I think this was a decent read. Even if you are not a hunter, or not into hunting. While the hunting itself is an important part of the story, it isn't THE story. The book is only 94 pages long, not a major time investment, but I think it would make a great stocking stuffer. I think even younger male teens would enjoy the book.
*****In compliance with FTC guidelines, I'm disclosing that I received this book for free through GoodReads First Reads. ****
(I recommend everybody should go check out all the awesome first read giveaways they have!)
October 16, 2021
A weekend hunting trip with a friend turns into a momentous occasion for life-altering realizations in Michael Galloway’s An Echo Through the Trees.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Driving north toward the Canadian border, a group of Minnesotan men are heading on a hunting trip. Chase’s father, who left him and his mother years ago, had promised Chase a hunting trip but never fulfilled that promise; Chase is instead on the trip with his friend Josh and Josh’s dad and uncle. As the men make their camp and boast about who will bag the best deer they didn’t pay adequate attention to the weather forecast that called for snow. Turning from normal snow to a heavy storm, the conditions quickly turn dangerous on their second day, bringing about life-changing realizations for all involved.
A simple story with clear, dominant messages to convey as it portrays the beauty and treacherous traits of nature while also exploring how relationships, particularly paternal ones, can grow, shrivel, or otherwise change over time. Though the writing style laid out every observation quite plainly, which made it accessible to read, there were an abundance of sentences that were actually comma splices, which was distracting while reading. A majority of the thoughts of the characters remained an internal conflict, rarely coming to a head in interactions with others, which was frustrating as their struggles could have been more easily addressed within their lives if they spoke up and out about their thoughts; instead of remaining on a more superficial level of the various relationship and life issues raised, a discussion between characters would have allowed for more development and a deeper exploration of these to make it more poignant.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Driving north toward the Canadian border, a group of Minnesotan men are heading on a hunting trip. Chase’s father, who left him and his mother years ago, had promised Chase a hunting trip but never fulfilled that promise; Chase is instead on the trip with his friend Josh and Josh’s dad and uncle. As the men make their camp and boast about who will bag the best deer they didn’t pay adequate attention to the weather forecast that called for snow. Turning from normal snow to a heavy storm, the conditions quickly turn dangerous on their second day, bringing about life-changing realizations for all involved.
A simple story with clear, dominant messages to convey as it portrays the beauty and treacherous traits of nature while also exploring how relationships, particularly paternal ones, can grow, shrivel, or otherwise change over time. Though the writing style laid out every observation quite plainly, which made it accessible to read, there were an abundance of sentences that were actually comma splices, which was distracting while reading. A majority of the thoughts of the characters remained an internal conflict, rarely coming to a head in interactions with others, which was frustrating as their struggles could have been more easily addressed within their lives if they spoke up and out about their thoughts; instead of remaining on a more superficial level of the various relationship and life issues raised, a discussion between characters would have allowed for more development and a deeper exploration of these to make it more poignant.
April 11, 2013
Chase Krause is following his dreams and hope by studying to be an architect. Chase has been practicing his target shooting in preparation for upcoming hunting trip with his best friend Josh along with Josh's dad and uncle. Chase also continues to write letters to his father even though he gets no response from them. Chase's mother Karen is schoolteacher that likes to paint pictures. Karen seems to be feeling down lately and has no other plans besides what she does inside and outside of school. Both Chase and Josh seem to be a turning point in their lives yet searching for some answers any way. Hunting trip is very much an adventure for Chase and Josh. While waiting for deer to appear Chase begins thinking about his relationship with his father and how it relates to his future. Chase ponders several ideas such as whether to continue writing letters and breaking off contact completely. Chase envies Josh's relationship with his dad. Josh is going thru several changes himself but unsure how to approach his dad with them. Will Chase finally get a deer? What conclusions will Chase reach? Will Karen and Josh make a leaps of faith? Your answers await you in An Echo Through the Trees.
This truly is a coming of age story told in many perspectives that give you the whole puzzle. This book is what I call a page/chapter turner because you have to know what is next. This is surprisingly fast read for a book as well. The characters are flawed, broken, discouraged, honest, and real. I think the backdrop of the hunting trip really made this story quite complete. Every action, direction, and thought were all pieces to the puzzle. I thought the author did an awesome job creating this story. I will look for more of this author's work in the future.
This truly is a coming of age story told in many perspectives that give you the whole puzzle. This book is what I call a page/chapter turner because you have to know what is next. This is surprisingly fast read for a book as well. The characters are flawed, broken, discouraged, honest, and real. I think the backdrop of the hunting trip really made this story quite complete. Every action, direction, and thought were all pieces to the puzzle. I thought the author did an awesome job creating this story. I will look for more of this author's work in the future.
February 11, 2015
A GoodReads GiveAway
Home from college for a holiday, Chase Krause goes on a hunting trip with his friend Josh and Josh’s father and uncle. Chase hopes to prove himself on this trip, considering that on an earlier trip he failed to shoot a deer.
The group drives north to within a dicky-straddle — “a scant thirty miles” — of the Canadian border. They pitch their tents and hunker down for the night. Unbeknownst to them, a snowstorm is brewing over the horizon.
As well as wishing to be a successful hunter like his buddy Josh, Chase envies the close relationship of Josh and his father. Chase’s own father has been estranged from his family for years and Chase is having a difficult time letting go of any chance for his father’s attention; letters Josh has written to his father over the years have never been answered.
The first day of the hunt, despite plenty of evidence that deer are in the area, none of the group makes a kill. The second day when the leading edge of the storm is first noticeable, Josh spots a deer from his blind high in a tree…
…and the storm moves in.
This book is a novella — ninety-four pages, give or take a paragraph. It’s a quick entertaining read. Jim-dandy for a short airplane flight or an hour or two waiting in an airport during a flight delay caused by … oh, I don’t know…a Minnesota blizzard, perhaps.
Give this story a read if you like yarns about hunting trips, camping out in the bush, and the mouth-watering taste — at least on the mind’s taste buds — of pancake sizzling on a griddle.
Home from college for a holiday, Chase Krause goes on a hunting trip with his friend Josh and Josh’s father and uncle. Chase hopes to prove himself on this trip, considering that on an earlier trip he failed to shoot a deer.
The group drives north to within a dicky-straddle — “a scant thirty miles” — of the Canadian border. They pitch their tents and hunker down for the night. Unbeknownst to them, a snowstorm is brewing over the horizon.
As well as wishing to be a successful hunter like his buddy Josh, Chase envies the close relationship of Josh and his father. Chase’s own father has been estranged from his family for years and Chase is having a difficult time letting go of any chance for his father’s attention; letters Josh has written to his father over the years have never been answered.
The first day of the hunt, despite plenty of evidence that deer are in the area, none of the group makes a kill. The second day when the leading edge of the storm is first noticeable, Josh spots a deer from his blind high in a tree…
…and the storm moves in.
This book is a novella — ninety-four pages, give or take a paragraph. It’s a quick entertaining read. Jim-dandy for a short airplane flight or an hour or two waiting in an airport during a flight delay caused by … oh, I don’t know…a Minnesota blizzard, perhaps.
Give this story a read if you like yarns about hunting trips, camping out in the bush, and the mouth-watering taste — at least on the mind’s taste buds — of pancake sizzling on a griddle.
November 26, 2015
Story on healing
Good story of forgiving others and forgiving yourself in a divorce when your the kid. Good character descriptions for a short story
Good story of forgiving others and forgiving yourself in a divorce when your the kid. Good character descriptions for a short story
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews