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Cumberland County
An exciting, coming-of-age novel - the story of Fairchild in Michigan's hauntingly beautiful Upper Peninsula. The year is 1915, war across and ocean threatens America and 17-year-old Frank Burns, about to graduate high school plans to stay on the family farm, the only world he knows. But a string of unlikely events sends him on a new and unchartered path - one of self-discovery but with a very uncertain future.
300 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
November 14, 2026
I really wanted to like this. I picked it up while on vacation in the UP because I love reading local authors from places I vacation. The only reason I finished the book is because this was one of my souvenirs from my vacation and I wanted to get my money's worth.
My first complaint is that the book is set in the UP of Michigan, but you would never know that by reading the book because there is barely any reference to the locale. There are a few references to snowy winters, and Lansing, but otherwise, the book could have been set basically anywhere.
My second complaint is, the back cover makes it seem like the book will be a coming of age story for Frank, but it's not at all. No, it's basically an entire book about Frank getting shat on and then killed off. Who does that?! This author, I guess!
Lastly, there were way too many side quests and side characters. I actually really liked Hemlock, and wouldn't have minded some more of the story involving him, but NOPE he kills himself so no more to the most interesting character in the book. Instead we get so many other characters with the most random interactions. The actual parts the book about Frank made up maybe 50% of the book.
Oh, one more thing. The climax of the book occurs on like page 280/289. The first 99% of the book is incredibly boring. That is all.
Thank goodness I'm done with this finally. Not even kidding this is 3 books in a row where the main character dies.
TL;DR: if you see this book on clearance in a book store, there is a very good reason for it. I can appreciate that it's an honor to see your name in print. However, the author could have used some major editing before publishing.
My first complaint is that the book is set in the UP of Michigan, but you would never know that by reading the book because there is barely any reference to the locale. There are a few references to snowy winters, and Lansing, but otherwise, the book could have been set basically anywhere.
My second complaint is, the back cover makes it seem like the book will be a coming of age story for Frank, but it's not at all. No, it's basically an entire book about Frank getting shat on and then killed off. Who does that?! This author, I guess!
Lastly, there were way too many side quests and side characters. I actually really liked Hemlock, and wouldn't have minded some more of the story involving him, but NOPE he kills himself so no more to the most interesting character in the book. Instead we get so many other characters with the most random interactions. The actual parts the book about Frank made up maybe 50% of the book.
Oh, one more thing. The climax of the book occurs on like page 280/289. The first 99% of the book is incredibly boring. That is all.
Thank goodness I'm done with this finally. Not even kidding this is 3 books in a row where the main character dies.
TL;DR: if you see this book on clearance in a book store, there is a very good reason for it. I can appreciate that it's an honor to see your name in print. However, the author could have used some major editing before publishing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review