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Anasazi Runner: a novel of identity and speed
Sean, a gifted runner, inherited only one thing from his
mother, a mysterious carved amulet with three haunting faces. He doesn't
understand why, but when he carries it, he runs faster and feels closer to his unknown
ancestors.
His girlfriend's grandmother fears the amulet is an omen of
evil from the ancient Navajo enemies, the Anasazi, and pleads with him to "put
it back" in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, but Sean cannot bring himself to part
with it.
Instead, he straps the amulet to himself and, with the help
of his retired high school running coach, begins to train in Pagosa Springs,
Colorado, for an audacious attempt at making history -- but what he discovers
and achieves is bigger than anything he ever imagined.
mother, a mysterious carved amulet with three haunting faces. He doesn't
understand why, but when he carries it, he runs faster and feels closer to his unknown
ancestors.
His girlfriend's grandmother fears the amulet is an omen of
evil from the ancient Navajo enemies, the Anasazi, and pleads with him to "put
it back" in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, but Sean cannot bring himself to part
with it.
Instead, he straps the amulet to himself and, with the help
of his retired high school running coach, begins to train in Pagosa Springs,
Colorado, for an audacious attempt at making history -- but what he discovers
and achieves is bigger than anything he ever imagined.
Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2011
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Posey
26 books6 followersJeff Posey has a geology degree and worked as a petroleum geologist before he discovered the world of words.
Since then, he's been city editor of a metropolitan magazine, fiction editor for a national magazine, and then stumbled on his own ignorance: about business. So he earned an MBA, thinking that would solve everything. Ha! But it did give him the ability to see things that had been invisible before, such as how business and money truly work.
Now he writes short stories and novels, most of them inspired by his nearly two decades of research and fascination with ancient Southwest cultures (mainly the good ol’ Anasazi) and tied to his favorite area in and around Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
You’ll see allusions to the ancient ones in all of his work, which he describes as rather like a huge ongoing meta-novel.
To learn more, see http://JeffPosey.net/.
Since then, he's been city editor of a metropolitan magazine, fiction editor for a national magazine, and then stumbled on his own ignorance: about business. So he earned an MBA, thinking that would solve everything. Ha! But it did give him the ability to see things that had been invisible before, such as how business and money truly work.
Now he writes short stories and novels, most of them inspired by his nearly two decades of research and fascination with ancient Southwest cultures (mainly the good ol’ Anasazi) and tied to his favorite area in and around Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
You’ll see allusions to the ancient ones in all of his work, which he describes as rather like a huge ongoing meta-novel.
To learn more, see http://JeffPosey.net/.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 2, 2012
I was given a copy of this book free and asked to write a review. While the premise seemed interesting, I was a little hesitant at first. This is not a genre I typically read and it's about running. Running! Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a runner. I have never enjoyed running. And to be honest, I don't really understand people who do enjoy it. But, that's okay. We are all different and I'm sure others have a hard time understanding things the way I do them.
But you can see why I was a little reserved. The book started off a little slow for me; however, after about the first few pages, I was hooked. Mr. Posey gives us a cast of characters and makes us care about them -- their similarities and their differences. I was glad to be along for the emotional and often humorous (thanks to the Jesse - the cantankerous coach) journey as they evolved, found themselves and found each other.
While the book definitely had running throughout its pages, it really wasn't about running. Of course, I was there cheering Sean on each step of the way and hoping he met the impossible goals he set for himself. But this novel is about hope and the indefatigable human spirit. Although I don't know if a marathon can ever be run in under two hours, Mr. Posey brings you in, wraps you up and makes you believe that with talent, lots of hard (very hard) work, encouragement, faith in yourself and perseverance -- ANYTHING is possible.
But you can see why I was a little reserved. The book started off a little slow for me; however, after about the first few pages, I was hooked. Mr. Posey gives us a cast of characters and makes us care about them -- their similarities and their differences. I was glad to be along for the emotional and often humorous (thanks to the Jesse - the cantankerous coach) journey as they evolved, found themselves and found each other.
While the book definitely had running throughout its pages, it really wasn't about running. Of course, I was there cheering Sean on each step of the way and hoping he met the impossible goals he set for himself. But this novel is about hope and the indefatigable human spirit. Although I don't know if a marathon can ever be run in under two hours, Mr. Posey brings you in, wraps you up and makes you believe that with talent, lots of hard (very hard) work, encouragement, faith in yourself and perseverance -- ANYTHING is possible.
July 24, 2012
I really wanted to like this book, but there were a few things about it that really didn't jive with me.
Being a runner, it was difficult for me to imagine the paces being described in this book. Granted the author even admits it being a stretch, so I really shouldn't hold that against the book. While lofty running goals are an underlying, recurrent theme of the book, there is a lot more to the story. It's about a runner trying to find himself and his place in the world and his interactions with those closest to him - his girlfriend and running coach.
The story is told through the voice of Sean's running coach. After finishing the story, it makes sense that it is told through the voice of an outsider (that's all I'm going to say about that, so as not to spoil the ending), but it was very difficult for me to get through most of the time. The main characters, Sean and Kira, are of Native American descent, and Coach J is not. Throughout the book, there are many comments made about him being an "old, white guy." I understand that, being white, he probably doesn't understand many native traditions and ways of thinking, but references such as this really did not sit well with me. It seemed distasteful. I suppose it might not be too far from accurate, but I just didn't like it.
I also didn't like the relationship that developed between Coach J and Kira. He eventually comes to think of her as a granddaughter, but there were too many descriptions of their interactions together that made him seem more like just a creepy old man lusting after a young Navajo woman. I felt that their speech and mannerisms just got a bit too intimate for my liking.
If you can get past those few shortcomings (in my opinion), it was kind of a fascinating story. Sean sets forth a goal to win the NY Marathon, seeks the help from a former, now retired, high school track coach. Prior to setting out to accomplish this, he had always come in 11th in all his races. He didn't seem destined to be a winner, but as the story unfolds, we learn more about his journey to not only win but also to find himself.
I think this book had a lot of potential. The overall story was good with just enough complexities to keep you interested, but it could have been developed better. The stories of the characters were interesting, but I wasn't able to fully connect with them. I mostly felt frustration toward them through most of the book instead of the range of emotions you generally want to feel.
Being a runner, it was difficult for me to imagine the paces being described in this book. Granted the author even admits it being a stretch, so I really shouldn't hold that against the book. While lofty running goals are an underlying, recurrent theme of the book, there is a lot more to the story. It's about a runner trying to find himself and his place in the world and his interactions with those closest to him - his girlfriend and running coach.
The story is told through the voice of Sean's running coach. After finishing the story, it makes sense that it is told through the voice of an outsider (that's all I'm going to say about that, so as not to spoil the ending), but it was very difficult for me to get through most of the time. The main characters, Sean and Kira, are of Native American descent, and Coach J is not. Throughout the book, there are many comments made about him being an "old, white guy." I understand that, being white, he probably doesn't understand many native traditions and ways of thinking, but references such as this really did not sit well with me. It seemed distasteful. I suppose it might not be too far from accurate, but I just didn't like it.
I also didn't like the relationship that developed between Coach J and Kira. He eventually comes to think of her as a granddaughter, but there were too many descriptions of their interactions together that made him seem more like just a creepy old man lusting after a young Navajo woman. I felt that their speech and mannerisms just got a bit too intimate for my liking.
If you can get past those few shortcomings (in my opinion), it was kind of a fascinating story. Sean sets forth a goal to win the NY Marathon, seeks the help from a former, now retired, high school track coach. Prior to setting out to accomplish this, he had always come in 11th in all his races. He didn't seem destined to be a winner, but as the story unfolds, we learn more about his journey to not only win but also to find himself.
I think this book had a lot of potential. The overall story was good with just enough complexities to keep you interested, but it could have been developed better. The stories of the characters were interesting, but I wasn't able to fully connect with them. I mostly felt frustration toward them through most of the book instead of the range of emotions you generally want to feel.
March 17, 2012
When I started reading Anasazi Runner, I didn't know what to expect. After all, it was a novel about a runner and I'm not a runner, nor an athlete. However, when I got involved, I really got involved. I loved the book. The characters, Sean and Kira, were ones I wanted to see succeed. I wanted them to behave like I'd behave, and when they didn't I got mad at them. Their ups and downs became my ups and downs and I found myself feeling like I was one of their friends, observing them go through life and wanting to shake them silly at times--especially Sean.
I particularly like how Jesse morphed during the book as well. I was happy for him in the end and absolutely loved his sense of humor. I laughed out loud a lot.
Posey said it right when he said it's a novel of identity. It certainly is. Sean certainly goes through some things in this novel, but it was worth the ride.
I particularly like how Jesse morphed during the book as well. I was happy for him in the end and absolutely loved his sense of humor. I laughed out loud a lot.
Posey said it right when he said it's a novel of identity. It certainly is. Sean certainly goes through some things in this novel, but it was worth the ride.
May 10, 2013
I loved the characters. Their somewhat strained interactions as an adopted family made me care about the struggles they faced. The will of an immature young man kept me rooting for success throughout the story.
I was a runner and had fond memories of the wind at my back whilst reading Sean’s story.
I was a runner and had fond memories of the wind at my back whilst reading Sean’s story.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews