The Life of Ely

by Jason L. McWhirter

The Life of Ely is Jason L. McWhirter's first non-fantasy story that was originally written as a screenplay. His many years as an educator has inspired this moving fictional story of a young abused boy who finds hope, strength, and salvation from a caring teacher and wrestling coach who teaches him about life and growing up, and who believed in him when no one else did. The life of Ely is a life that you wouldn't wish on your enemy. A young abused boy growing up in a poor broken home, who was told every day that he was worthless, befriends a caring teacher and coach who fans a spark of hope within him. The classroom and the wrestling mat become Ely's weapons to battle his demons and to find the confidence that he needs to survive. It's an emotional story about a boy who comes of age that will leave you crying, laughing, and cheering as he faces the overwhelming odds against him.

282 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2013

About the author

Jason McWhirter lives in University Place Washington with his wife and two dogs. He has been teaching history for twenty five years and half of those years were filled with coaching wrestling, soccer, and directing drama plays for his school. When he is not working and hanging out with friends and family he enjoys working out, traveling, fly fishing, wine tasting, and of course, writing. His love for fantasy started young and many middle school evenings were spent reading late into the night following adventurers as they tested their courage and strength against evil foes. He played dungeons and dragons, video games, anything where he could lose himself in the wonders of another world. This desire and craving to be immersed in worlds of magic and steel where anything is possible drove him to write his first fantasy book, The Cavalier, part one of The Cavalier series. He hopes to continue to teach and write and maybe one day create heroes and legends full time.

Reviews

[Guy Venturi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a fantasy book!

It is a well expressed and written life lesson carefully disguised as fiction until the end. Although not everyone has a life filled with crisis and pain, everyone has felt some pain in their lives, and if they are mature enough, they have learned empathy for other's pain and suffering.

Ely leads by example as he struggles to just survive as a kid caught in a world of negativity and despair. Yet with a little help from a gradually growing circle of friends and supporters, he learns how to overcome the tribulations that are often insurmountable in middle and high school. The story parallels the events in the lives of many young people who just need friendship, guidance, and support in order to thrive and survive. It is the little things in one life that are very big things in another's life. How the paths of life cross, who the paths intersect with, and how the contact is handled can be a life or death situation.

[Savana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! It tells the story of an abused teenaged boy and the way one teacher changed his life.

I found this really weird to read, personally! I went to both of these schools, and still live in the community. Mr. McWhirter was a teacher while I was at KPMS, though I personally didn’t have his class. I didn’t have to imagine the scenery, I see it everyday, and when you live in a small community? So bizarre!

[Denise Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

The lump in my throat says everything you need to know about this book. Outstanding!! Thank you for sharing this uplifting story.

[Linda Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I’ll never understand Goodreads ratings. I expected so much more from this book. The writing is mediocre, the storyline is not very believable, and the parents have different last names in the beginning of the book than the end (poor editing in this edition, for sure. ) I’m not sure who the intended audience is. It felt very much like a Junior high book. I love wrestling, but this book disappoints on many levels.

[Adrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing both people involved and growing up in the way that I did. Made me connect on a more personal level with the characters in this story.

I will be forever greatfull and thankfull that Jason and Sel were a part of my journey all those years ago. I would not be alive today had they not been there.

To now be able to enjoy the stories created by someone I once called friend.

To me makes them even more interesting and fascinating to read.

[Fabiola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why it took me so long to finish this book. Interesting story, real characters and for sure it is very fascinating the pages where Ely explains his thoughts about what he is getting trough. Easy to read, easy to understand and a lot of things to think about life.

Really like it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The smooth, descriptive storytelling in this book makes it a quick and enjoyable read. The story, based on the author's experiences as a student and teacher, is a riveting take on the tale of a disadvantaged child meeting someone who changes the direction of his life. The theme of strength, in all of its manifestations, is present throughout and is conveyed in a powerful way. The main character is Ely, a boy abused both mentally and physically his entire life. In eighth grade, he meets a friend and a teacher who will change his life.
My favorite parts of the book were Ely's reflections at the beginning of each chapter. I found them to be poignant, eloquent, with just the right amount of foreshadowing. Surprisingly, I also enjoyed the wrestling parts of the book. Recruited into the sport of wrestling, Ely's growth as a wrestler corresponds with his growth as an individual, as he rises above his horrific circumstances. I knew next to nothing about wrestling before I read this, and frankly wasn't terribly interested, but it was intriguing to learn how the sport works. Who knew you got points for anything other than pinning? =)
Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys realistic fiction with a strong, positive message. This is one of those books that is appropriate for young adults - and might perhaps be geared to that audience - but is also an engaging and moving read for adults. Great, well-written story!

[Luke Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me first start by saying that I don't usually read these kinds of books. I'm not against it, and I have read books with similar stories and enjoyed them, but I have so many books in the action/adventure fantasy genre that its hard for me to steer away from the endless stack. But I'm so glad I did. I wanted to give this book a shot as I read this authors fantasy books and enjoyed them. I was curious how he would do crossing over into something a little more serious and realistic. This was a fantastic story. McWhirter threw all kinds of emotions at me in this one. I was an athlete myself, although not a wrestler, so I really enjoyed that connection to the story. But let me say that you would not have to be an athlete to enjoy this tale. I think it has something for everyone. I'm a sucker for the hero fantasy stories and I felt this had some similar themes, but the heroes were real people, doing real things, and they, like all heroes, had to overcome adversity. Give this book a shot, but make sure you have some tissue with you. Just so you know, they won't all be tears of sadness, some will come from an emotional response connected to Ely's ability to overcome obstacles, and from the strength of character that allows some people to be a positive role model in the lives of others. I felt inspired after reading this book.

[John Hierholzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Jason McWhirter’s Life of Ely.

Through the application of the wrestling metaphor, McWhirter took me to the mat and helped me struggle up close and personal with at least three formidable opponents that teens like Ely face today: obesity, bullying and parental physical and verbal abuse.

His use of language is efficient and effective. His early description of Bill, Ely’s alcoholic father, and the unkempt mobile home which is their domicile is memorable.
In fact, these early descriptions lured me into the unfolding story of Ely’s life and I was hooked.

McWhirter introduces Mr.Seljin; Ely’s wrestling coach into the toxic soup in which Ely
is just barely surviving. Seljin is a non-aggressive, non-anxious presence who along with
a student peer, Jeff, play a critical role in helping Ely transcend his less than ideal circumstances. He also is able to provide Ely with some specific moves for dealing with struggles while flat on the mat.

In reading the Life of Ely I was reminded of the friends, teachers and mentors who had a way of showing up at just the right time in my life, and of the power of simple kindness.

[Mary Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was amazing. I had read this author's fantasy books and I was really excited to learn that he had written a coming of age, fictional story. These types of books are some of my favorite and McWhirter did not disappoint. Then when I saw that this book was sort of autobiographical, I really became hooked. How could you not? The author used bits and pieces of his experiences as a teacher and coach and created a really moving, inspirational story. I loved the characters of Ely, Mr. Seljin, Jeff, and many others. I saw them as way beyond card board cut-outs...they became real people with real emotions and motivations. McWhirter created a story that gave me a wide range of emotions, which is great, after all if we don't feel anything when we read then what is the point. I can't say enough good things about this story. Everyone should give it a shot.

[Benji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I am usually not one for heart-felt, coming of age type books, I enjoyed reading this particular book very much. I thought that the characters were very strong in the sense that they were well developed and believable. You could also relate to them and really understand why they did what they did. The humor in this book was enough to make me laugh out loud and the emotional struggles and trials of the characters were very powerful and moving. I loved the beginning, middle and end of this story and I think it is a book that everyone should read.

[Howard Katzoff · Rating 1 out of 5]

OMG a fantastic story worth 10 stars!!

Wow, what an incredible heart lifting story. I've never experienced the kind of joy that I did from this book. It's a guide to living a faith filled life that shows that people can, in fact, survive anything. The characters are so very real that I felt like I knew and hated some of them-and loved and admired the rest. Read it--you'll love it!!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life of Ely made me cry, gasp, and feel a gamut of emotions. The writing made me feel that I was there in Ely’s world. A few times I even had to put the book down when I began angry at what was happening. This book is well written with great insight into a teen’s life. The surprise ending was amazing and tears started. Read this book.