Ruin Creek

by David Payne

A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK Set on North Carolina's windswept Outer Banks, Ruin Creek tells the story of the Madden family. May and Jimmy's reckless, incandescent teenage love has given way, a decade further on, to their son Joey's brokenhearted witness to the dissolution of their marriage and of a family bond he held stronger than time or death. Turning to his grandfather, Pa Tilley, Joey spends long summer days learning to fish the treacherous waters of Oregon Inlet, where North Carolina's mighty Albemarle outrushes into the Atlantic Ocean. One fateful afternoon, a moment's inattention at the boat ramp finds Joey surfacing fifteen yards astern, watching the shoreline recede as the current seizes in, his own name and the boom of the rollers the last thing he hears before the water fills his ears...

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Coming Of Age

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

David Payne was born in North Carolina and attended the Phillips Exeter Academy and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of five novels-- Confessions of a Taoist on Wall Street, Early From the Dance, Ruin Creek, Gravesend Light, Back to Wando Passo--and a memoir, Barefoot to Avalon: A Brother's Story, forthcoming from Grove Atlantic in August 2015. Visit his author website at www.davidpaynebooks.com.

Linda Barrett Osborne, Washington Post Book World:
"[Payne] understands that place most families inhabit-somewhere between love and necessity, between truth and myth, between self and the expectations, the dreams and, ultimately, the separateness of others... Writing this fine evokes a past time, but also a state of boyhood that is timeless."

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Denver Post reviewed this book as "Masterful...somewhere between Faulkner and Conroy." and I agree. Those of us who live in the South are often classified by a certain vernacular and voice pattern, though each region has its own unique sound and sayings. A hallmark of many great Southern authors - Faulkner and Conroy, Rick Bragg, Harper Lee... - is the way they're able to skillfully capture those special voices and, in doing so, to instantly transport the reader to a particular Southern locale. Payne does that beautifully by bringing his characters to life through the individual cadence of their voices and the colorful colloquialisms that pepper their speech. Were it not for Life's inevitable interruptions I would have settled in to read this book all the way through in one sitting. The story immediately grabbed me and laughter, tears, sighs of delight, moans of disappointment all overtook me at one point or another as the saga of this family unfolded. Maybe it was because, being a Southerner, I was easily immersed in the sound of those voices and the era of time they inhabited. But I do believe anyone who loves "lyrical prose and psychological acuity" (as described by The Boston Globe) would thoroughly enjoy this book. Can't wait to read other works by David Payne.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read “Ruin Creek” a number of years back after discovering David Payne, via his earlier novel “Gravesend Light”, and becoming a huge fan. I returned to it recently for a second read and was just as enthralled the second time around.

The novel alternates between the first person narratives of its three main characters. Jimmy Madden is the quintessential golden boy – charming and handsome high school, star athlete from whom everyone, himself included, expects big things. May Tilley is the beautiful daughter of wealthy parents, who expect her to marry well, who drops her boyfriend to be with Jimmy. Joey is their eleven year old son – conceived by accident before they were married and forcing their hand.

“Ruin Creek” explores how one impetuous act can irrevocably alter the path of one’s life. But Payne knows that it is rarely the act in isolation, but rather the behaviours and attitudes that precede and succeed it, that propel a life onto a different track. The price of living up to one’s imperfections and owning one’s choices is high indeed.

“Ruin Creek” showcases Payne’s trademark lyrical prose and psychological insights that have caused some critics to describe him as “the most gifted novelist of his generation”. I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment.

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book that sneaks up on you, this is the tale of a Southern family falling apart in the 1960s. As 11-year-old Joey Madden struggles to make sense of his parents' difficulties, we get to see (via multiple narrators) how the Maddens' marriage unraveled. Especially satisfying for me is the way that Payne shows an event from the viewpoint of Joey's mother May, then his father Jimmy. This allows the reader to see that both can be right at the same time, adding layers to the story. Joey's ultimate conclusions about his family deliver a solid emotional punch. My only complaint is the Southern dialect of some of the other characters can slow down the story and lessen the impact. This is a minor problem that does nothing to mar a fine read.

[Cathi Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding coming of age story with so much more... The characters were dissected and explored with such insight into flaws and strengths; the depth of which was somewhat refreshing yet intricate beyond anything I've witnessed to date! Emotional, witty, so full of life and loss... a roller coster of deep gut-punching feelings and deep seated introspective thoughts! This book is a winner. The author is superb. Highly recommended.

[Bamboozlepig · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started off okay, but then I ended up skimming at the halfway point. I was curious how the lyrics to a song that was not written until 1984 wound up in a story set in 1959. (The lyrics "the roof, the roof, the roof is on fire"...)

I also did not like that the dialogue was all run together in single paragraphs. It was hard to tell who was saying what and eventually the revolving viewpoints got a bit old.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting the way the story was told from the various viewpoints. I did feel as though some parts seem repetitive. Jimmy grated on my nerves...I just wanted to shake him and tell him to grow up and act like a man. His mom was a horrible person and unfortunately, it carried on to the next generation. May was a bit shallow. She was all too concerned about appearances and status.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. Struggled a lot to get through it. Skipped through a lot of the page long descriptions of nature sights/fishing. Liked the nostalgia and the subject matter, and found that it was beautifully written. Just not for me.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich characters, deep subject matter and beautifully written! I felt so many different emotions as I read this book! The author gets inside the heads of his characters and uncovers their many layers and what “makes them tick!” A very realistically-written story! Loved it!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel by Payne that I have read. His style,of,writing is beautiful. I will be reading more of him in the future.

[Debra Merillat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Hi Nick and Liz. Dysfunctional story of life gone wrong set in Ruin Creek and Killdeer in the Outer Banks. Told thru the perspective of a teen son, Joey, and his parents May and Jimmy.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but a rather depressing story. I liked it when I started, but it gradually went down-hill. Too sad for this kid!

[Perla Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful book! the prose is as equally beautiful as it is heartbreaking. it shows the reality of marriages and how they fall apart ,,, it’s also visually imagery is so beautiful

[Irma · Rating 4 out of 5]

2/3rds of the way it was a 3*, but the last 1/3rd was 5 stars. Worth waiting for. So it gets a 4.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book chronicles Joey Madden's parents' lives when they met and when they were married. It's told from the perspectives of Joey's mother, father and Joey himself and offers a lot of insight into Joey's personal issues that are discussed in "Gravesend Light". I read "Gravesend Light" first, so I found this book helpful in explaining things and giving more perspective.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about the breakdown of a marriage in the 1950s. It's told from three perspectives: Jimmy, the would-be doctor, May, daughter of a wealthy and influential southern family, and Joey, their unplanned 12-year-old son. It's a story about broken dreams and new found realities and how this family deals with them. I give this story an A+! - it was well-written and thought-provoking.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superbly told story of extended family and the unraveling of a marriage told from different points of view. I believe the author was trying to help us see both the good and bad in the husband and the wife, but I simply could not like or sympathize with the husband who refused to grow up. The language, 1950's setting and the geography of coastal North Carolina were beautifully done.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like standing at the fence talking to your backyard nieghbor, You truly have to be a native to appreciate this book and it's characters.

[Mary Solomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the writer's style and description but thought it belabored the family's dynamic.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most beautiful prose I've read in a long time. His descriptions of the area are exquisite. His character development is without par. He shows a sensitivity unparalleled.

[Jessica Rullo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully and realistically written. I could really feel and empathize with each character because of the three different perspectives written from.

[Coco · Rating 2 out of 5]

Engaging story. Southern lit.

[Mary Curran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written, but a little distancing. They should have seen the writing on the wall from the start and not married.

[Kathleen Granger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to get into .... Drags. More dreary family pain. Brings to mind "We were the Mulvaney's"

[Mike Fitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Susan Tiritilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book read it twice. I think it would be a great movie.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The author gave life and some credibility to the characters he portrayed. I felt for the agony of a child caught in his parents divorce. It was a good vacation/airplane read. The main characters were well fleshed out.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A traditional novel, the sort that you got from the book-of-the-month club or from a collection at the mountain cabin. Satisfying but not earth-shaking.