Toehold: A Novel

by Stephen H. Foreman

The residents of Toehold, Alaska, are an odd collection of eccentric souls reveling in the fierceness of the land and determined to live on their own terms. All of them have stories, some ridiculous, some bordering on the Homeric. Summer Joe has a harem of wives and a weakness for Jewish social workers. Six-foot-three-inch Sweet-ass Sue runs the town's only bar. There's Buddy Barconi, an ex-New York fireman with a raunchy sense of humor matched perfectly by a total lack of propriety. And Mary Ellen Madden, known as Mel to her friends, a cash-strapped vagabond with gray-green eyes and a double-wide smile who's trying her luck as a hunting guide. When her first customer appears, a ruthless Hollywood producer seeking the glory of the kill, Mel and her best friend, Cody Rosewater -- the son of a San Francisco flower child, and now Toehold's taxidermist -- can no longer ignore the tension that's been crackling between them for years. Always in the background is the raw majesty of the northern crazed moose bolt down Main Street, caribou are violently ambushed by wolves, and the eight-month-long winter night is illuminated by the northern lights. Funny and romantic, with a cast of unforgettable characters, Toehold is at once a laugh-out-loud comedy, a quirky love story, and a sublime evocation of the beautiful, rugged wilderness of Alaska.

Genres: Fiction

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Larah]

THIS WAS ONE OF THE WORST BOOKS I HAVE READ. No joke. But I couldn't stop reading it? Why? Why? Why?

[Cindy]

Just started last week (4-4-08) not into it yet.

[Lucy Yeomans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one. Lots of individual stories and the depth is pretty good even if I've read better writing. There were some fun little self referential author moments in there which I always appreciate. There could've been more internal connections to make it literature, but as it is, it's a fun engaging read

[Scott Breslove · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know what I think of this one. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t that good either. The timeline was jumpy, the characters were interesting, the plot, well, was there a plot? Kind of, but it wasn’t really revealed til the book was mostly over, I guess. I just…I dunno…

[Tonya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was better (and worse, if that's possible) than I thought it would be. The writing wasn't great, but the authenticity of the characters made it one I couldn't put down. The Characters were well written, but it was often hard to follow, since there were so many flashbacks. But the flashbacks have their place here, as it gives you good insight into who the characters are. I loved the fireworks between Mel and Cody, and I enjoyed the contradictions in the characters themselves. Like how Cody was the son of a flower-child, and a peacemaker at heard, but still found his soul in taxidermy, and isn't afraid to fight (literally and figuratively)for what he wants.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's not saying much when the first half of the book is better than the second. I kept wanting it to get better, but it never did, which is why I read the whole thing. He builds up the characters and then does nothing but surround them with cliches and predictable circumstances. I thought it would have been a more day-in-the-life, like "Northern Exposure" but it was more from a tourist's point of view. The emotional outbursts between some of the characters were ridiculous as they sprang from out of nowhere and were totally unbelievable. Overall disappointment.

[Jayme Pendergraft · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finished this only because I do not like leaving books unfinished. While there were maybe two notable lines, the rest was scattered. There was certainly potential for a good story somewhere had he chosen to stick to one train of thought for more than two sentences.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toehold is a perfect book. it could not be improved upon. richly drawn characters in wonderful settings. filled with humour the story was entrancing. an excellent ending. I could not put this book down.

[Jaci · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a quick, fluffy read and held my attention. Had hoped for more Alaska information since my daughter is moving there, but the bear information was sufficient. I can see this being made into a movie at some point.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

i didn't finish it. i might have if i were reading, but the CDs were driving me crazy. he tells an ok anecdote... all the side characters had interesting stories. but the big picture wasn't doing it for me. for heaven's sake *show* me, don't give me internal monologues of a couple of neurotics.

[Terry Abeline Carden · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book will not be counted as a favorite. It started out interesting and ended as predictable. I finished the book, only because I was searching for a few redeeming qualities, but I was very disappointed. I cannot in good faith recommend this novel.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Impossibly bad writing. Couldn't finish. The story line,(quirky people find themselves scrambling for a living and a human connection in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness) had potential.

[Eriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommeded by a B&B owner from Anchorage. Northern Exposure meets the Mississippi Mudbellies- deceit, love, slaying, and Ice. Alaska vernacular at its finest!

[marissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off well but then it detirated and I stopped reading close to the end. I didn't recognize the characters from the initial storytelling and it all fell apart for me.

[Rhonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well if you want light - this is for you...