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The Night Train
Jayrod Nash is not your typical fourth grade boy. The abuse he suffers at the hands of his father is brutal, and he doesn't find much comfort in his mother. At school, his shyness makes him a prime target for the class bully, but Jayrod is getting tired of being everybody's punching bag. Arnold Wise is Jayrod's best friend, and he's starting to realize that something in the Nash household is terribly wrong. Twice a day, a train rumbles through the woods behind Jayrod's rural Mississippi home. The day train fills his head with dreams of adventure, but at night his thoughts turn to escape. Escape from a life of pain and neglect. With Arnold's help, he stops the train and sneaks aboard, and soon learns that problems can't be solved by running away.
- GenresFiction
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2012
5 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Carl Purdon
16 books23 followersCarl was born in 1964 in Pontotoc, Mississippi. One of his first memories has him standing in his front yard wishing he was old enough to go to school so he could learn to read and write. Especially write, because he had stories swirling inside his head and he didn't want to forget them. His next memory is of his first day at school, wondering what he had wished himself into, and how he could get back out of it. On that first day of first grade, he was kept in at recess because he was the only kid in his class who couldn't recite his ABCs. An ironic start for a boy who would grow up to write novels.
When he was 28, Carl rode his motorcycle north from Mississippi and toured the back roads of Ohio. Later he rode through the Smokey Mountains and up the Blue Ridge Parkway into Virginia. Riding relaxed him, and allowed his mind to wander back toward the novels he knew he would someday write. Someday came about a decade later, when he stopped making excuses and began the difficult task of turning a dream into reality.
Carl still lives in Pontotoc with his wife, Sharon, and two of their four children. At present he and Sharon have three grandsons and two granddaughters who keep them busy. Carl has written five novels and is always working on something new.
When he was 28, Carl rode his motorcycle north from Mississippi and toured the back roads of Ohio. Later he rode through the Smokey Mountains and up the Blue Ridge Parkway into Virginia. Riding relaxed him, and allowed his mind to wander back toward the novels he knew he would someday write. Someday came about a decade later, when he stopped making excuses and began the difficult task of turning a dream into reality.
Carl still lives in Pontotoc with his wife, Sharon, and two of their four children. At present he and Sharon have three grandsons and two granddaughters who keep them busy. Carl has written five novels and is always working on something new.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 3, 2012
Very seldom do I do this, but I am only on chapter one of Carl Purdon's "The Night Train" and I am hooked. Thus far, Carl has a way of telling a story that just captures your imagination. I've already been close to tears twice--don't want to spoil anything. This is definitely going to be one of those books I just cannot put down. I'll keep you updated. ;o)
This is the review I posted at my blogs:
I just finished reading The Night Train, by Carl Purdon. It is a contemporary fiction novel and I loved it!
Carl has a very subtle yet beautiful way of drawing you into his world. Within just a couple of pages he had me in tears. My heart broke for the little boy in this story, Jayrod.
There were several times throughout the book that I found myself talking to the characters. I was cheering Jayrod on and wishing someone would just come rescue this child. I would have, had he been real! ;o)
And I wanted someone to either shoot, strangle, or set fire to Jonce (Jayrod’s father)-and it isn’t often I feel so patiently about a character so quickly into a novel.
Up until the very end (no-I won’t spoil it), I wasn’t sure if I didn’t like the mother (Ellie) or if I felt sorry for her. I think it ended up being a combination of both. At the end, Carl managed to restore my faith in humanity and (breathing a sigh of relief) he gave Ellie a spine and I felt hopeful for her and Jayrod.
This book was full of surprises. Farley, the hobo, was - thankfully- one of the good guys. I liked Farley and a big part of me hopes that Carl will resurrect this character and tell us what really happened to his little boy! NOTE TO AUTHOR: there will be a banana cream pie in it for you! ;o)
I am reminded of the first time I saw Jurassic Park. (Here me out, I’ve not lost my mind.) After just a short time of watching that movie I forgot I was watching a movie because I’d been drawn in by the realism of the special effects.
No, The Night Train doesn’t have any special effects, but the outcome is the same. Before you know it, you’re drawn in to the story and you forget it is just a story. You can see the characters - it was almost as if I could have reached out and touched them. Carl does this with a very limited amount of words and that, folks, is the way a good author does it.
I’m also very glad that it didn’t end the way I would have originally wanted or even the way I myself would have written it. While it is a very happy ending, it is not sappy, dripping with sugar, Disney Movie happy. It was real, believable.
I have never done what I am about to do: I read the ebook but I’m going to buy the hardcover version. I liked it that much.
The Night Train, simply put, is a beautiful and compelling novel. The characters are believable-even the down right dirty and mean ones.
This is truly a treasure. Its real, its compelling and very well written. If Amazon would let me give it ten stars, I would.
Suzan
This is the review I posted at my blogs:
I just finished reading The Night Train, by Carl Purdon. It is a contemporary fiction novel and I loved it!
Carl has a very subtle yet beautiful way of drawing you into his world. Within just a couple of pages he had me in tears. My heart broke for the little boy in this story, Jayrod.
There were several times throughout the book that I found myself talking to the characters. I was cheering Jayrod on and wishing someone would just come rescue this child. I would have, had he been real! ;o)
And I wanted someone to either shoot, strangle, or set fire to Jonce (Jayrod’s father)-and it isn’t often I feel so patiently about a character so quickly into a novel.
Up until the very end (no-I won’t spoil it), I wasn’t sure if I didn’t like the mother (Ellie) or if I felt sorry for her. I think it ended up being a combination of both. At the end, Carl managed to restore my faith in humanity and (breathing a sigh of relief) he gave Ellie a spine and I felt hopeful for her and Jayrod.
This book was full of surprises. Farley, the hobo, was - thankfully- one of the good guys. I liked Farley and a big part of me hopes that Carl will resurrect this character and tell us what really happened to his little boy! NOTE TO AUTHOR: there will be a banana cream pie in it for you! ;o)
I am reminded of the first time I saw Jurassic Park. (Here me out, I’ve not lost my mind.) After just a short time of watching that movie I forgot I was watching a movie because I’d been drawn in by the realism of the special effects.
No, The Night Train doesn’t have any special effects, but the outcome is the same. Before you know it, you’re drawn in to the story and you forget it is just a story. You can see the characters - it was almost as if I could have reached out and touched them. Carl does this with a very limited amount of words and that, folks, is the way a good author does it.
I’m also very glad that it didn’t end the way I would have originally wanted or even the way I myself would have written it. While it is a very happy ending, it is not sappy, dripping with sugar, Disney Movie happy. It was real, believable.
I have never done what I am about to do: I read the ebook but I’m going to buy the hardcover version. I liked it that much.
The Night Train, simply put, is a beautiful and compelling novel. The characters are believable-even the down right dirty and mean ones.
This is truly a treasure. Its real, its compelling and very well written. If Amazon would let me give it ten stars, I would.
Suzan
August 17, 2013
This book is so good and it was such a surprise. I really had very little idea what to expect as all I knew about it was what the blurb said. I had it on my kindle for quite a while before I started to read and then I could hardly bear to put it down. The characters are well developed and yet tightly drawn. Very true to life for people in poverty in that place & time. The dad was not only poor, he was mean and had a real crazy cruel streak. I've, unfortunately, known people like him. A nasty, drunken, criminal abuser of women and children. The mother was so beaten down and so concerned about herself in her fear of her husband that she did not ever try to protect or care for her son, Jayrod. He got no relief at school where he was bullied by kids and the teacher alike. I cheered when he ran away from home and took to riding the rails with his best friend, Arnold, who was just about to learn about abuse from a stepdad- to-be. When they got picked up and taken in by the tramp, I expected the worst. Couldn't have been more wrong! The guy taught them how to survive even though it did mean learning how to steal. The tramp had a secret past, was bossy and often scary but he protected them. When he learned about the abuse, he was kinder and nicer to the boys - especially the one most damaged. When the tramp decided to take them home, Jayrod took off on his own. It didn't last as he was not ready to be on his own. Things were really not different at home at first but that took a very different turn! The book ended on a hopeful note with a much stronger Jayrod and with possibilities of more normal relationships in his life. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to finding other gems by this author! I want to give a 4.75!
July 29, 2012
Purdon's book is one I downloaded free with some reticence to my Kindle. My experience with free books has not been good. And as I started to read "The Night Train," I first thought of dumping it as a kid's book, but I'm glad I persevered.
It is a cracker-jack of a story reminiscent of Tom Sawyer about a young boy and his only friend and their adventure running away from home on The Night Train. And yet it carries a powerful message about household abuse and school bullying. The young boy is the victim of his father's drunken rages, his mother's neglect, and the taunts of a bully on the way to school. His back is scared by the marks of his father's rage.
He plots to run away on the night train with his friend. Their first attempt fails, but he perseveres and succeeds to board a boxcar only to land in further trouble. Lest I spoil the dynamic plot, I won't tell you any more except to say that the book moves, it is well written, the dialogue is realistic and worth spending time with. Find it in the Kindle store.
th
It is a cracker-jack of a story reminiscent of Tom Sawyer about a young boy and his only friend and their adventure running away from home on The Night Train. And yet it carries a powerful message about household abuse and school bullying. The young boy is the victim of his father's drunken rages, his mother's neglect, and the taunts of a bully on the way to school. His back is scared by the marks of his father's rage.
He plots to run away on the night train with his friend. Their first attempt fails, but he perseveres and succeeds to board a boxcar only to land in further trouble. Lest I spoil the dynamic plot, I won't tell you any more except to say that the book moves, it is well written, the dialogue is realistic and worth spending time with. Find it in the Kindle store.
th
October 26, 2012
When an abused boy and his best friend run away from their problems, they discover that an adventure of their own doing, can also be challenging. Jumping aboard a train, and riding the rails might seem simple enough to a couple of young boys, but when it actually happens, the reality of the difficulty in that type of life is a different story. In The Night Train, Carl Purdon manages to create characters that you will not only feel for, but also believe in. The author tells the story in a way which not only allows you to become caught up in a great adventure, but also a story that leaves you thinking about how unfortunate abuse and hardship can be.
I would recommend The Night Train to anyone who loves a fast paced, yet heartwarming read.
I would recommend The Night Train to anyone who loves a fast paced, yet heartwarming read.
September 26, 2014
Trains whistles in the night...
The Night Train travels at a speed that you don't realize is escalating. Jayrod's world is one of hardness, coldness, uncaring parents. The one bright spot is his one and only friend, Arnold. Together, the two boys strike out on an adventure that almost gets them killed and yet, Jayrod is never more alive than when he's swinging aboard a flat car. The ending was a little abrupt, but be ready to be glued to your Kindle until you finish it.
The Night Train travels at a speed that you don't realize is escalating. Jayrod's world is one of hardness, coldness, uncaring parents. The one bright spot is his one and only friend, Arnold. Together, the two boys strike out on an adventure that almost gets them killed and yet, Jayrod is never more alive than when he's swinging aboard a flat car. The ending was a little abrupt, but be ready to be glued to your Kindle until you finish it.
May 10, 2012
Fantastic read!! Loved it!
July 9, 2012
This was a terrific book. I enjoyed all the characters and the story line was wonderful.
March 11, 2015
Loved it
This is a great story. Little sad at times but really enjoyed. Would highly recommend. Good read. Love the ending.
This is a great story. Little sad at times but really enjoyed. Would highly recommend. Good read. Love the ending.
Want to Read
July 2, 2012$0.0
November 23, 2015
Ooof, this one was hard to read. It was a good story, and the ending was redeeming, but man, there is a lot of child abuse. I also really wished they had told us more about Farley.
February 2, 2014
Couldn't put it down
April 11, 2017
Excellent book. Hope the next one is just as good.
April 13, 2017
Another Great Book!
Carl Purdon is a master storyteller. He never lets me down, and I look forward to everything he writes. Another 5 star rating!
Carl Purdon is a master storyteller. He never lets me down, and I look forward to everything he writes. Another 5 star rating!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews