Vastation

by Lewis Birdseye

VASTATION reworks one of the oldest tales known to man, the journey of a son and father to a fuller understanding of the extraordinary range of complexities life holds. An odyssey, a pilgrim’s progress, a peregrination through the stations of the cross, VASTATION follows Josh Donaldson and his father along the trails outside Cedar Ridge, Oregon as they pursue a simple bonding experience, an adventure run through the wilderness of the Willamette National Forest. Deep in the forest they experience a series of terrifying events that alter their lives in unimaginable ways.

314 pages, Hardcover

First published May 29, 2012

Reviews

[Waywardgeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reserve five star ratings for the greatest works of fictions such as Les Miserables, so please consider my four stars as an enthusiastic endorsement of Vastation. If you liked Don Quixote, I believe you would enjoy this book. The writing reminds me of Edith Grossman's translation, as does the plot. We once again read grim humor as the wise father drags his 17-year old son through ill-conceived adventures. Like Quixote, the father has a weak grip on reality, but shares keen insights while stumbling on blindly. His son, inexperienced yet pragmatic and wise in his choices, has me recalling Sancho, Quixote's squire. If you're looking for a typical thriller or some light reading, look elsewhere. I had to go slow to contemplate each sentence. This book will entertain you for longer than it's 317 pages would suggest.

I worry this book will fade into obscurity without the people who would most enjoy it ever hearing of it. I read lots of books, and like most people, usually I go for brain candy. When people want a book which will challenge how they think, they look in the Self Help section, not fiction. However, it's those rare works of fiction that leave a lasting impact on how we view the world that we recall over and over again. Avid readers looking for something new and different will find this book a breath of fresh air.

I know of the author, Lew Birdseye. He was my "Impact" teacher in 1980 at Redan High. He had a more profound impact on my life than any other teacher, and to this day I strive to live up to the expectations he encouraged us to have for ourselves. He may feel a bit like Don Quixote, spending a lifetime of gently opening minds, enabling people like me to understand their potential. In today's political environment, it must seem like jousting with windmills. Having gone to Berkeley for undergrad, I've learned from some incredible professors. No one compares to Lew Birdseye when it comes to challenging the student. Like the book Don Quixote, Vastation may be an effort to challenge the reader, and help him grow. It's Lew's gift to gently shape people, and he can't help but put that gift to use in this book.