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The Third Hill North of Town
Set against the turbulent backdrop of the 1960s, Noah Bly's evocative debut explores prejudice, loss, and redeeming courage through the prism of an unlikely friendship. When fifty-four-year-old Julianna Dapper slips out of a mental hospital in Bangor, Maine, on a June day in 1962, it's with one purpose in mind. Julianna knows she must go back to the tiny farming community in northern Missouri where she was born and raised. It's the place where she and her best friend, Ben Taylor, roamed as children, and where her life's course shifted irrevocably one night long ago. Embarking on her journey, Julianna meets Elijah Hunter, a shy teenaged African-American boy, and Jon Tate, a young hitchhiker on the run from the law. The three become traveling companions, bound together by quirks of happenstance. And even as the emerging truth about Julianna's past steers them inexorably toward tragedy, their surprising bond may be the means to transform fear and heartache into the strength that finally guides Julianna home.The Third Hill North of Town is a haunting, imaginative story of human connection and coincidence—a poignant and powerful novel that ripples with wit and heart.Advance Praise For The Third Hill North Of Town "A brilliant combination of chaos and coincidence. With fresh language and uniquely imperfect characters, Noah Bly weaves a story of a cross-country trek that is both improbable and believable. This fresh, engrossing novel left me convinced of the power of memory, even as it arises from a disturbed mind, and taught me—as Bly promises—the wisdom of faith in the ridiculous." —Anna Jean Mayhew, author of The Dry Grass of August "This is an eerie, haunting, beautifully realized novel populated by charming misfits and eccentrics." --Joseph Olshan, author of Cloudland "Once The Third Hill North of Town turns over its engine, readers will do well to secure their grip on themselves, their loved ones, and any notions they have about guilt and innocence, truth and trust, convenience and blame. By its end, Bly's whirlwind challenges much of what we believe without necessarily meaning to, including those comfortable views on the infinite gradations we lump under the banner of mental illness, including racism. A hell of a journey." —Kyle Beachy, author of The Slide "What a wild ride this novel is! The Third Hill North of Town grabs hold and doesn't let go. A story of the tragedy and beauty of coincidence and circumstance, this novel is one that brings the unlikeliest characters together in a way that is somehow both surprising and meaningful." —T. Greenwood, author of Bodies of Water "Noah Bly takes readers on an unforgettable ride through America. Well written, page-turning, and hard to put down!" —Jim Kokoris, author of The Pursuit of Other Interests "A glorious, madcap American road novel in the picaresque tradition, The Third Hill North of Town explores a dark uncharted territory where vengefulness and desire and coincidence and consequence blow wild through human hearts, tossing people together and tearing them apart. Think On the Road written by Flannery O'Connor. A profound meditation on the sanctity of improvised friendships."--Stephen Lovely, author of Irreplaceable
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
January 31, 2016
Whew. Reading this one, I actually had to take short breaks during certain scenes to emotionally recover. It's been a while since I read a book that I truly could not make myself put down for the final 100 pages or so.
I was pretty sure that I would like this book, because I love the author. Noah Bly is actually a pen name for Bart Yates, who wrote one of my favorite books (Leave Myself Behind). That information does not seem to be anywhere on Goodreads, and I would never have found this book at all if I hadn't randomly decided to google Yates to see if he was working on a new book. My book-nerdish glee was immense when I discovered that he had already published this novel under a different name (receipts: http://bartyates.com/).
Like Leave Myself Behind, The Third Hill North of Town has characters who I grew deeply attached to-not just the three main characters, but many others, like Mary, and members of Juliana's family who appear relatively briefly in the book. I recently reviewed a book and complained about a certain blend of wit and humor with serious tragedy that is trendy these days; done with a tone that strikes me as smug, inauthentic, and, well, soulless. I admitted then that some writers CAN entwine humor and tragedy beautifully, when it is done with more sensitivity and less guile. At the time I was thinking of Bart Yates/Noah Bly, and I think this novel is another example of that difference. It's hard to put into words why it's different, but I think it has a lot to do with empathy and sincerity; the raw feeling in his work and the obvious deep emotional connection he has to his characters. It's clear that he both loves and understands them, despite, or maybe even because of, their flaws. And to me at least, they are believable; even when they maybe shouldn't be.
Like Yates' other novels, I imagine that The Third Hill North of Town would not be to everyone's taste. Some might take issue with the plot, call it too implausible (coincidence and synchronicity are strong themes) and a few parts could be viewed as overly sentimental. The epilogue borders on saccharine/overdone (except for the very last page, which I thought was perfect) and this quote, which I think sums the book up beautifully:
" [...] the world was an arbitrary and ridiculous place, where all things were possible. Coincidence and human stupidity held sway much of the time, but not always: there was love, too, of course, and companionship, and now and then even a measure of grace. At least for those who were wise enough to have faith in the ridiculous. "
But flaws or no, I absolutely love this book, and will read anything else Bart Yates/Noah Bly chooses to write.
I was pretty sure that I would like this book, because I love the author. Noah Bly is actually a pen name for Bart Yates, who wrote one of my favorite books (Leave Myself Behind). That information does not seem to be anywhere on Goodreads, and I would never have found this book at all if I hadn't randomly decided to google Yates to see if he was working on a new book. My book-nerdish glee was immense when I discovered that he had already published this novel under a different name (receipts: http://bartyates.com/).
Like Leave Myself Behind, The Third Hill North of Town has characters who I grew deeply attached to-not just the three main characters, but many others, like Mary, and members of Juliana's family who appear relatively briefly in the book. I recently reviewed a book and complained about a certain blend of wit and humor with serious tragedy that is trendy these days; done with a tone that strikes me as smug, inauthentic, and, well, soulless. I admitted then that some writers CAN entwine humor and tragedy beautifully, when it is done with more sensitivity and less guile. At the time I was thinking of Bart Yates/Noah Bly, and I think this novel is another example of that difference. It's hard to put into words why it's different, but I think it has a lot to do with empathy and sincerity; the raw feeling in his work and the obvious deep emotional connection he has to his characters. It's clear that he both loves and understands them, despite, or maybe even because of, their flaws. And to me at least, they are believable; even when they maybe shouldn't be.
Like Yates' other novels, I imagine that The Third Hill North of Town would not be to everyone's taste. Some might take issue with the plot, call it too implausible (coincidence and synchronicity are strong themes) and a few parts could be viewed as overly sentimental. The epilogue borders on saccharine/overdone (except for the very last page, which I thought was perfect) and this quote, which I think sums the book up beautifully:
" [...] the world was an arbitrary and ridiculous place, where all things were possible. Coincidence and human stupidity held sway much of the time, but not always: there was love, too, of course, and companionship, and now and then even a measure of grace. At least for those who were wise enough to have faith in the ridiculous. "
But flaws or no, I absolutely love this book, and will read anything else Bart Yates/Noah Bly chooses to write.
August 24, 2024
2.5 stars
Great characters and an interesting premise overshadowed by sloppy writing and the author's overuse of coincidences to advance his plot.
Great characters and an interesting premise overshadowed by sloppy writing and the author's overuse of coincidences to advance his plot.
August 22, 2017
So I now think that I am ready to talk about this book. I definitely couldn't for a day or two, too much to process and didn't want to dilute the experience. Because reading this was definitely an experience.
The Third Hill North of Town is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I couldn't put it down and didn't stop thinking about it when I had to. Anna Jean Mayhew states--on the back cover of this advanced copy I was lucky enough to get my hands on--that the story is "both improbable and believable". That's exactly how I felt. But I wasn't thinking about these aspects because I was too busy with this incredibly engaging, unique story in a little written about time.
The in-depth detail Bly added to minor characters enriched each encounter and fed my understanding of why and how things happened the way they did. And yet it never felt like we were straying from the main tale, somehow. The action-filled pace kept up, so much in fact that it sometimes literally had my heart pounding. Wince-worthy racial tension in this book had me even a bit angry at the author, until I realized helplessly that he was just telling it how it was.
As a reader, I love getting deep into a story. I cry, I laugh, I argue. A book that can make me feel is a treasure, and this is one that definitely exceeds that expectation.
My only hope now is that Noah Bly will indeed be writing more, as I am already a devoted fan!
The Third Hill North of Town is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I couldn't put it down and didn't stop thinking about it when I had to. Anna Jean Mayhew states--on the back cover of this advanced copy I was lucky enough to get my hands on--that the story is "both improbable and believable". That's exactly how I felt. But I wasn't thinking about these aspects because I was too busy with this incredibly engaging, unique story in a little written about time.
The in-depth detail Bly added to minor characters enriched each encounter and fed my understanding of why and how things happened the way they did. And yet it never felt like we were straying from the main tale, somehow. The action-filled pace kept up, so much in fact that it sometimes literally had my heart pounding. Wince-worthy racial tension in this book had me even a bit angry at the author, until I realized helplessly that he was just telling it how it was.
As a reader, I love getting deep into a story. I cry, I laugh, I argue. A book that can make me feel is a treasure, and this is one that definitely exceeds that expectation.
My only hope now is that Noah Bly will indeed be writing more, as I am already a devoted fan!
June 20, 2021
Set in 1962, fifty-something Julianna Dapper escapes from a mental hospital in Maine, “borrows” a car, and begins a journey to the midwestern US, accompanied by two young men. One is a fifteen-year-old black youth she mistakes for a childhood friend and the other is a seventeen-year-old hitchhiker running from troubles at home. They are pursued by the law and their families. It is a picaresque adventure, full of over-the-top action scenes and a string of improbable coincidences.
I liked the depiction of the unlikely friendship that formed among three diverse individuals. Other than that, I do not have much positive to say about it. Everything is exaggerated – one of the main characters is too saintly and the villains are too evil. There are many plot holes and anachronisms. It is filled with violence and racial scapegoating. For me, it is a failed attempt to combine tragedy and humor, with the humor generated at the expense of a person with mental illness.
I liked the depiction of the unlikely friendship that formed among three diverse individuals. Other than that, I do not have much positive to say about it. Everything is exaggerated – one of the main characters is too saintly and the villains are too evil. There are many plot holes and anachronisms. It is filled with violence and racial scapegoating. For me, it is a failed attempt to combine tragedy and humor, with the humor generated at the expense of a person with mental illness.
February 11, 2014
You have to kind of hold on tight when you read this quite remarkable novel from Noah Bly, as it moves at a such a pace that it feels like being in a runaway vehicle over which you have no control and you end up quite breathless. “Page-turner” just doesn’t do it justice. Action-packed, it’s a mixture of thriller, crime novel, coming-of-age story, family saga, adventure, comedy and just about anything else you care to name. It starts sedately enough when mentally disturbed Julianna Dapper escapes from the psychiatric hospital where her disconnection from reality has placed her. Feeling an overwhelming need to go back to her childhood home, she steals a car and sets off. By the side of the road she sees a young black boy and, mistaking him for a childhood friend and managing to convince him that she does indeed know him, she in effect kidnaps him. After that it’s downhill all the way and disaster follows disaster. Totally engaging, totally convincing in spite of the endless coincidences and chance occurrences that pile up along the way, and totally heart-rending in the tragedy, sadness and loss that accompanies every character, I found this an unforgettable and extremely moving book, with some laugh-out-laugh moments in spite of the horrific things that happen, and a testament to love and friendship and loyalty.
November 27, 2013
This is a debut novel, but I know I have just had the honor of being one of the first to read the next New York Times bestseller.
Set, for the most part, in the summer of 1962 in the very north east, the book opens with a kidnapping, or perhaps not. That's it. You are hooked. This isn't a mystery, although there are many questions to be answered and clues to be unveiled. It isn't a coming of age story, but we are brought along on a journey of more than one character's self discovery. It isn't a crime novel, though more than one crime is committed. It isn't a book about the difficulties of racial equality, yet it makes you hold your breath when the racial tension screams at you from the pages. The book could not be described as a thriller, though it is thrilling. Nor could it be pigeon holed as an action/adventure except for the fact that it is a non-stop, full throttle ride across the northeast through to the midwest. It might be considered historical fiction as it takes place in the 60's but there is no historical touchstone...the circumstances could just as easily been set in any decade.
The premise of the book is simple. A mentally ill, middle-aged woman escapes an institution, meets two young men (one black, one white), and they travel by car across the northeast to the midwest with various law officers and family in pursuit. But there the simplicity ends because it is a wonderful study of human nature; the very good, the very bad and the very ugly. The achingly fragile balance of love and loss. The absurd confluence of coincidence and circumstance. The ravages of reminiscence and regret. The fidelity of a few overpowering the misanthropy of many. The incongruity of ignorant authority. Then mix in the kindness of strangers, the apathy of family, a little loyalty, quite a bit of bravery, some young and old love, and you have one of the best books you might ever read.
It's a shame this book won't be published until March, 2014. As a retired teacher now bookseller, it would have been a pleasure to recommend this book for a holiday gift . It will just have to be next summer's blockbuster for ALL men and women except those under 16 ( for violence/language and one particularly comical reference to intercourse ).
Rush to the shelves in March, pre-order an e-book . This is the book you've been waiting for. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Noah Bly for satisfying my hunger for a truly memorable book.
Set, for the most part, in the summer of 1962 in the very north east, the book opens with a kidnapping, or perhaps not. That's it. You are hooked. This isn't a mystery, although there are many questions to be answered and clues to be unveiled. It isn't a coming of age story, but we are brought along on a journey of more than one character's self discovery. It isn't a crime novel, though more than one crime is committed. It isn't a book about the difficulties of racial equality, yet it makes you hold your breath when the racial tension screams at you from the pages. The book could not be described as a thriller, though it is thrilling. Nor could it be pigeon holed as an action/adventure except for the fact that it is a non-stop, full throttle ride across the northeast through to the midwest. It might be considered historical fiction as it takes place in the 60's but there is no historical touchstone...the circumstances could just as easily been set in any decade.
The premise of the book is simple. A mentally ill, middle-aged woman escapes an institution, meets two young men (one black, one white), and they travel by car across the northeast to the midwest with various law officers and family in pursuit. But there the simplicity ends because it is a wonderful study of human nature; the very good, the very bad and the very ugly. The achingly fragile balance of love and loss. The absurd confluence of coincidence and circumstance. The ravages of reminiscence and regret. The fidelity of a few overpowering the misanthropy of many. The incongruity of ignorant authority. Then mix in the kindness of strangers, the apathy of family, a little loyalty, quite a bit of bravery, some young and old love, and you have one of the best books you might ever read.
It's a shame this book won't be published until March, 2014. As a retired teacher now bookseller, it would have been a pleasure to recommend this book for a holiday gift . It will just have to be next summer's blockbuster for ALL men and women except those under 16 ( for violence/language and one particularly comical reference to intercourse ).
Rush to the shelves in March, pre-order an e-book . This is the book you've been waiting for. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Noah Bly for satisfying my hunger for a truly memorable book.
August 15, 2024
This fabulous book is about coincidence and how everything happens for a reason. Sure, it got a little (maybe more than a little) over the top, but it IS entertainment, after all. By “entertainment”, I do not mean “fluff”. This takes the reader on a journey of love, nostalgia, friendship, loyalty, grief and hope.
The story takes place in the ‘60’s, when racism, sexism and ignorance of the mental illness was beginning to become unacceptable to a few, but was still very much in full swing. A 54 year old delusional woman escapes from the mental hospital where she was being treated. She steals a car and kidnaps a 14 year old black kid, who is already a neurotic nervous wreck. She then picks up a young hitchhiker, and the three of them travel down the highway heading for her hometown and, unfortunately, into murder and mayhem. Despite the witty writing style, things get very serious very fast. The three form a bond, and are soon “all in it together”.
I must say, the writing was delightful. Noah Bly has a folksy, chatty style with plenty of humor (at times it’s hilarious) which endeared me to the story right away. Oh, sure, there were a few errors in the details, which happens to be my pet peeve. I can always tell when a younger author writes about a time they haven’t experienced. The language and slang are always wrong. I was probably the only reader to even notice. It really isn’t worth even mentioning, but I already did, sooo… and the book was so good I can’t even count this as a negative.
Normally I don’t read about racism. I lived through the ‘60’s, and would rather not read about man’s inhumanity to man for fun. This book, however, is more about how perceptions change according to skin color, and less about dwelling on evil and abuse.
As this book progressed, I became more and more entrenched in the lives of these wonderfully written characters, and I’m still having to shake off the notion that they are not really real. The book goes from light and humorous to nerve wracking drama to heart wrenching, then incredibly warm and hopeful with a huge emphasis on wanting to return home and happier times throughout. In other words hang on for a rollercoaster ride you will not soon forget. The epilogue is almost a novella in itself, but well worth reading. Even minor characters were well developed and followed up. The epilogue also gives the reader extra time with the characters before the inevitable end of the book.
Five stars, absolutely, and a hearty recommendation!!!!
The story takes place in the ‘60’s, when racism, sexism and ignorance of the mental illness was beginning to become unacceptable to a few, but was still very much in full swing. A 54 year old delusional woman escapes from the mental hospital where she was being treated. She steals a car and kidnaps a 14 year old black kid, who is already a neurotic nervous wreck. She then picks up a young hitchhiker, and the three of them travel down the highway heading for her hometown and, unfortunately, into murder and mayhem. Despite the witty writing style, things get very serious very fast. The three form a bond, and are soon “all in it together”.
I must say, the writing was delightful. Noah Bly has a folksy, chatty style with plenty of humor (at times it’s hilarious) which endeared me to the story right away. Oh, sure, there were a few errors in the details, which happens to be my pet peeve. I can always tell when a younger author writes about a time they haven’t experienced. The language and slang are always wrong. I was probably the only reader to even notice. It really isn’t worth even mentioning, but I already did, sooo… and the book was so good I can’t even count this as a negative.
Normally I don’t read about racism. I lived through the ‘60’s, and would rather not read about man’s inhumanity to man for fun. This book, however, is more about how perceptions change according to skin color, and less about dwelling on evil and abuse.
As this book progressed, I became more and more entrenched in the lives of these wonderfully written characters, and I’m still having to shake off the notion that they are not really real. The book goes from light and humorous to nerve wracking drama to heart wrenching, then incredibly warm and hopeful with a huge emphasis on wanting to return home and happier times throughout. In other words hang on for a rollercoaster ride you will not soon forget. The epilogue is almost a novella in itself, but well worth reading. Even minor characters were well developed and followed up. The epilogue also gives the reader extra time with the characters before the inevitable end of the book.
Five stars, absolutely, and a hearty recommendation!!!!
October 12, 2015
This was a book I received from Netgalley from review, and I have to say, it's been the one I've enjoyed the most. I just couldn't put this book down.
The story starts with the main character Julianna Dapper escaping from a mental hospital and taking two unusual young men along on an odyssey like trip across the country with her. The book is rich with relationships, human interactions and an understanding of human behavior. It had me in turns laughing and crying.
Usually I'm left at the end of a great book such as this wishing it would have ended differently, or not ended at all. The ending for this book was PERFECT! It truly left you with closure, and was absolutely fitting for the story. I wouldn't have changed a bit of it.
I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it!
The story starts with the main character Julianna Dapper escaping from a mental hospital and taking two unusual young men along on an odyssey like trip across the country with her. The book is rich with relationships, human interactions and an understanding of human behavior. It had me in turns laughing and crying.
Usually I'm left at the end of a great book such as this wishing it would have ended differently, or not ended at all. The ending for this book was PERFECT! It truly left you with closure, and was absolutely fitting for the story. I wouldn't have changed a bit of it.
I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it!
August 10, 2016
I won an advance copy of this book from the publisher.
This is a story unlike any I have ever read and it is so engrossing and engaging that I was wrapped up in it right from the beginning. Bly fills out characters with exquisite detail so that you feel like you are standing right in front of them. The pace is frantic and exhilarating at times, but I was always eager to find out what was coming up. And isn't that always the sign of a great read?
I experienced a range of emotions as I read this book and explored the territory of human relationships and behavior along with the main characters. Bly addresses issues of race, mental illness, friendship and loyalty, and somehow manages to wrap it up with an ending that brings satisfying closure. What a trip this book was. Highly recommend
This is a story unlike any I have ever read and it is so engrossing and engaging that I was wrapped up in it right from the beginning. Bly fills out characters with exquisite detail so that you feel like you are standing right in front of them. The pace is frantic and exhilarating at times, but I was always eager to find out what was coming up. And isn't that always the sign of a great read?
I experienced a range of emotions as I read this book and explored the territory of human relationships and behavior along with the main characters. Bly addresses issues of race, mental illness, friendship and loyalty, and somehow manages to wrap it up with an ending that brings satisfying closure. What a trip this book was. Highly recommend
May 9, 2014
I found the story to be a brutally sad tragedy. Yet, it also portrays the resilience of the human spirit and the longing for the human connection of love. Therein lies the beauty of the novel. This quote found in the epilogue sums up the book for me: "Yet if their time with Julianna Dapper had taught him anything, it was that the world was an arbitrary and ridiculous place, where all things were possible. Coincidence and human stupidity held sway much of the time, but not always: There was love too, of course, and companionship, and now and then even a measure of grace. At least for those who were wise enough to have faith in the ridiculous."
February 24, 2014
I read this book within 24 hours of bringing it home. I could not put it down. I loved every moment of it. From the slapstick humor to the heartbreaking details, this is one book I'd love to see as a movie. What a wonderful WONDERFUL book!
February 7, 2014
A journey takes us from one place to another. The characters in this novel are all on a journey, although some don't realize it. Julianna Larson Dapper wants to go home. Jon Tate wants to go anywhere but home. Elijah Hunter is on a journey to manhood.
Call it serindipitous, call it fate, call it coincidence. These three find themselves unexpectedly together on a journey that will change their lives.
The trip from Maine to Missouri is full of humor, horror, introspection, understanding, and unlikely friendship.
Buckle your seatbelts!! You're in for the ride of your life!!
Call it serindipitous, call it fate, call it coincidence. These three find themselves unexpectedly together on a journey that will change their lives.
The trip from Maine to Missouri is full of humor, horror, introspection, understanding, and unlikely friendship.
Buckle your seatbelts!! You're in for the ride of your life!!
March 30, 2014
4.5 stars! It was the summer of 1962 & delusional Julianna Drapper just escaped from a mental hospital. She picks up/"kidnaps" 2 young men, a 15 y/o black boy and a 19 y/o white boy who was running from his own problems. Although strangers, the 3 form a wonderful bond and embark on a journey full of adventure! Coincidence plays a big role in this story & even as far fetched as some of the scenarios - it was highly entertaining and had me dying to find out what would happen next and how it would all end!
August 24, 2024
Three stars for the characters and one star for the completely implausible plot involving a 54-year-old mental hospital escapee named Julianna who travels over 1600 miles in under two days in two “borrowed” cars with two teenaged boys leaving a trail of destruction and chaos lands me at an even two stars.
“Coincidence and human stupidity held sway much of the time, but not always: There was love, too, of course, and companionship, and now and then even a measure of grace. At least for those who are wise enough to have faith in the ridiculous.”
My faith in the ridiculous was sorely tested here.
“Coincidence and human stupidity held sway much of the time, but not always: There was love, too, of course, and companionship, and now and then even a measure of grace. At least for those who are wise enough to have faith in the ridiculous.”
My faith in the ridiculous was sorely tested here.
March 9, 2014
Time to bury this book. It was so awful that I am surprised I made it half way through.
I realize the absurdity of the book is beyond anything believable, but before the author embarks on another writing venture that predates his birth, he needs to check some facts. I could have gone along with the premise that this is a far-fetched story, and the craziness that kept happening ~ and at times it was laughable, but I was so distracted by the prochronisms that I had to quit.
The prochronisms (a chronological error in which an event, person, etc., is assigned a date earlier than the actual one) played a part in the concept of the story. Maybe that was the point of the author?
In the first few pages, Chips Ahoy! were in the bag of "junk food" in the car. The story takes place in Maine, 1962. Chips Ahoy! were not on the market until 1963. The term "junk food" was coined in 1972. Air conditioning in cars? Very, very rare. Child safety locks on car doors? The police dropping the f*** word repeatedly? I highly doubt it. A mid-life crisis? That term did not come into being until the 1970s. I'm not so sure eating disorders were even thought of or known about either, nor panic attacks, or OCD.
In 1962, 19 year old Jon runs away, dressed in t-shirt and khaki shorts, throws his belongings in a plastic garbage bag with handles? Come on. This is 1962, and boys DID NOT wear khaki shorts or were there plastic garbage bags with handles. His reaction to getting a 14 year old girl pregnant at a party. But wait, it gets better. The first thought about the pregnancy? An abortion.
The final straw was the lime green VW. LIME GREEN? Maybe tan, NOT lime green. I grew up in the 1960s and lived in the Mid West. I often went to Milwaukee, and NEVER, EVER saw a lime green VW. My grandparents owned a tan VW. Maine is a little more remote than the Mid West.
I could go on and on about what is wrong with this book, but I won't. And these were only a few of the prochronisms!! Suffice it to say I will NOT be recommending this book to anyone.
This book is absolutely awful.
I realize the absurdity of the book is beyond anything believable, but before the author embarks on another writing venture that predates his birth, he needs to check some facts. I could have gone along with the premise that this is a far-fetched story, and the craziness that kept happening ~ and at times it was laughable, but I was so distracted by the prochronisms that I had to quit.
The prochronisms (a chronological error in which an event, person, etc., is assigned a date earlier than the actual one) played a part in the concept of the story. Maybe that was the point of the author?
In the first few pages, Chips Ahoy! were in the bag of "junk food" in the car. The story takes place in Maine, 1962. Chips Ahoy! were not on the market until 1963. The term "junk food" was coined in 1972. Air conditioning in cars? Very, very rare. Child safety locks on car doors? The police dropping the f*** word repeatedly? I highly doubt it. A mid-life crisis? That term did not come into being until the 1970s. I'm not so sure eating disorders were even thought of or known about either, nor panic attacks, or OCD.
In 1962, 19 year old Jon runs away, dressed in t-shirt and khaki shorts, throws his belongings in a plastic garbage bag with handles? Come on. This is 1962, and boys DID NOT wear khaki shorts or were there plastic garbage bags with handles. His reaction to getting a 14 year old girl pregnant at a party. But wait, it gets better. The first thought about the pregnancy? An abortion.
The final straw was the lime green VW. LIME GREEN? Maybe tan, NOT lime green. I grew up in the 1960s and lived in the Mid West. I often went to Milwaukee, and NEVER, EVER saw a lime green VW. My grandparents owned a tan VW. Maine is a little more remote than the Mid West.
I could go on and on about what is wrong with this book, but I won't. And these were only a few of the prochronisms!! Suffice it to say I will NOT be recommending this book to anyone.
This book is absolutely awful.
April 3, 2014
I got to page 180 before I couldn't force myself to read any further. This book is unbelievable and over the top to the point of annoying.
August 21, 2014
In 1962 a woman escapes from a mental hospital in Bangor, Maine, and goes in search of the home in northern Missouri, just a few miles south of the Iowa border, that she left as a teenager 20 years earlier. Early in her journey she picks up two young men, a 15-year-old African American she mistakes for her childhood friend, and a 17-year-old on the run. It then turns into an on the road story, as a series of bizarre misunderstandings cause them to leave a path of death and destruction in their wake, and they become the target of a nationwide search by law enforcement officials. The tale is told in a whimsical style that seems to me totally inappropriate to the events it describes, and I was never convinced of the close bond that the three characters supposedly forged through their misadventure.
March 20, 2014
I was so very disappointed in this book overall. The constant F-bomb was not only unnecessary, but distracting. The protagonist was likable and the boys (especially Elijah) stole my heart, but most of the book was just plain unbelievable and unrealistic. I found the death theme to be overwhelming. I did enjoy the relationship of Jon and Elijah...it was quite heartwarming. But beyond that...there was not much else for which I cared. I forced myself to complete the book and was rewarded with a decent ending. I would suggest skipping this one!
March 20, 2014
Is it possible for a book to be tragic and beautiful all at the same time? If so, Noah Bly has nailed it perfectly. These characters will leap off the pages and land in your heart.
April 7, 2024
Very fast-paced and entertaining.4.5 stars.
May 3, 2014
How do you describe THE THIRD HILL NORTH OF TOWN? When I was asked what “genre”? This cleverly written debut novel could find its home (not in one category), but many.
Some tags I would use to describe my experience: tragedy, humor, comedy, action, adventure, thriller, (not actually crime novel or mystery, but close), historical, drama, mental health, and suspense. A novel of courage, friendship, self-discovery, loss, and prejudice.
Some of the advance praise for THE THIRD HILL NORTH OF TOWN, was “right on”, in that this novel was a brilliant combination of chaos and coincidence. The front cover image drew me in immediately, with the rugged look of a farmland, and could envision the lives of the characters about to embark on an imaginative journey.
What a journey it was! Set against the backdrop of the 1960s (interlude takes place in 1923), a trio of misfits and damaged personalities—Julianna, Jon, and Elijah – who became close over the course of the novel for two days with an unlikely friendship.
The fifty-four yr. old Julianne is out of a mental hospital in Maine with a mission of returning to the tiny farming community in northern Missouri where she was born and raised. A place where she and her best friend Ben played as children--the place where the course of her life changed on night.
On her journey she meets Elijah, a shy teen, African American boy and Jon, a young hitchhiker on the run from the law. The three become traveling buddies and their bond brings them more than they can imagine. There is one obstacle after another— exploring human nature and behaviors of love and loss (you will laugh and cry).
An eccentric, yet a powerful imaginative story of human connection and coincidence—Well- written, page-turning, and hard to put down (dying to see what is coming next).
I very much enjoyed the Q & A with the author, Noah Bly at the end of the book, and his inspiration for the poignant yet bittersweet novel. This is a huge plus for readers, as it further deepens the connection with the story and the author.
The discussion questions are ideal for book clubs or groups, as to ponder the different characters --why they bonded, and what they gained from one another. I look forward to many more best selling novels from this debut and talented author! http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/p...
Some tags I would use to describe my experience: tragedy, humor, comedy, action, adventure, thriller, (not actually crime novel or mystery, but close), historical, drama, mental health, and suspense. A novel of courage, friendship, self-discovery, loss, and prejudice.
Some of the advance praise for THE THIRD HILL NORTH OF TOWN, was “right on”, in that this novel was a brilliant combination of chaos and coincidence. The front cover image drew me in immediately, with the rugged look of a farmland, and could envision the lives of the characters about to embark on an imaginative journey.
What a journey it was! Set against the backdrop of the 1960s (interlude takes place in 1923), a trio of misfits and damaged personalities—Julianna, Jon, and Elijah – who became close over the course of the novel for two days with an unlikely friendship.
The fifty-four yr. old Julianne is out of a mental hospital in Maine with a mission of returning to the tiny farming community in northern Missouri where she was born and raised. A place where she and her best friend Ben played as children--the place where the course of her life changed on night.
On her journey she meets Elijah, a shy teen, African American boy and Jon, a young hitchhiker on the run from the law. The three become traveling buddies and their bond brings them more than they can imagine. There is one obstacle after another— exploring human nature and behaviors of love and loss (you will laugh and cry).
An eccentric, yet a powerful imaginative story of human connection and coincidence—Well- written, page-turning, and hard to put down (dying to see what is coming next).
I very much enjoyed the Q & A with the author, Noah Bly at the end of the book, and his inspiration for the poignant yet bittersweet novel. This is a huge plus for readers, as it further deepens the connection with the story and the author.
The discussion questions are ideal for book clubs or groups, as to ponder the different characters --why they bonded, and what they gained from one another. I look forward to many more best selling novels from this debut and talented author! http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/p...
July 30, 2014
"Coincidence loves insanity."
There are lots of crime dramas these days that frequently state "there's no such thing as a coincidence" but let's face it...life on planet Earth is likely just a giant series of cosmic coincidence so maybe it's not such a stretch to imagine this story could happen. Human connection is a mysterious thing and we've all had the occasional weird experience of being in a strange place and meeting someone we "know" (your own personal six degrees) or seen someone who creeps you out because he/she is the spitting image of a former classmate, relative, etc. The Third Hill North of Town is a fast paced, intriguing story of coincidence and the the random things that establish friendship and human connection. I was hooked from page one even though it was obvious from Chapter 2 on that there was no way this was going to have a tidy, happy ending but in all honesty one of the things that made this a page turner was needing to know how bad is it going to be.
I think this might be a good student book group read because even though the main character is 54 years old the book is really about her teenage life/persona and the other two characters she befriends are young adults as well. The story also touches on racism in the 1960's, the fallibility of human perception, and the temptation to embellish the truth based on our own personal biases. I haven't looked at them but there are discussion questions at the back of the novel and this is a paperback.
There are lots of crime dramas these days that frequently state "there's no such thing as a coincidence" but let's face it...life on planet Earth is likely just a giant series of cosmic coincidence so maybe it's not such a stretch to imagine this story could happen. Human connection is a mysterious thing and we've all had the occasional weird experience of being in a strange place and meeting someone we "know" (your own personal six degrees) or seen someone who creeps you out because he/she is the spitting image of a former classmate, relative, etc. The Third Hill North of Town is a fast paced, intriguing story of coincidence and the the random things that establish friendship and human connection. I was hooked from page one even though it was obvious from Chapter 2 on that there was no way this was going to have a tidy, happy ending but in all honesty one of the things that made this a page turner was needing to know how bad is it going to be.
I think this might be a good student book group read because even though the main character is 54 years old the book is really about her teenage life/persona and the other two characters she befriends are young adults as well. The story also touches on racism in the 1960's, the fallibility of human perception, and the temptation to embellish the truth based on our own personal biases. I haven't looked at them but there are discussion questions at the back of the novel and this is a paperback.
January 2, 2015
You know how when sometimes you read a book and you finish it, you think, "Gosh, I wish I'd read that sooner!"
This is that kind of book. I wish Noah Bly had written it a long time ago, so I could have read it a long time ago, so that I could have been recommending it for a long time. As it is, published in Feb 2014 means that I'm not that far behind the reading curve, and I can at least give it my whole hearted endorsement for a GR Choice read. It's just a good read - great character studies, wonderful descriptive narrative, and a sometimes funny in a sad sort of way storyline. I laughed, I cried, and I rooted for this Don Quixotic quest to be successful and Julianna to be allowed to put her demons to rest.
I won't be forgetting Julianna, Jon, or Elijah/Ben for some time. And now that I've read this book, I'm telling all my friends, "Hey, you need to READ this one!"
This is that kind of book. I wish Noah Bly had written it a long time ago, so I could have read it a long time ago, so that I could have been recommending it for a long time. As it is, published in Feb 2014 means that I'm not that far behind the reading curve, and I can at least give it my whole hearted endorsement for a GR Choice read. It's just a good read - great character studies, wonderful descriptive narrative, and a sometimes funny in a sad sort of way storyline. I laughed, I cried, and I rooted for this Don Quixotic quest to be successful and Julianna to be allowed to put her demons to rest.
I won't be forgetting Julianna, Jon, or Elijah/Ben for some time. And now that I've read this book, I'm telling all my friends, "Hey, you need to READ this one!"
August 13, 2014
I won an advanced copy of this book.
I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book. The description was enough to grab my attention, but I wasn't sure how the story was going to come together. I was very much surprised with my intense love for this book.
Mr. Bly begins the whirlwind adventure with the escape of mental patient Julianna from a state institution. She picks up a boy whom she presumes to be a friend of hers from childhood, as well as a young man dealing with drama in love and life. What follows is a road trip none of them will ever forget. Filled with drama, suspense, comedy, rage, and heartbreak...it's sure to be a ride you won't soon forget either! Mr. Bly touches on everything from mental illness to the harsh, racial realities of the 1960's. This is a book I would recommend to anyone, and an author I hope to read more from.
I really wasn't sure what to expect from this book. The description was enough to grab my attention, but I wasn't sure how the story was going to come together. I was very much surprised with my intense love for this book.
Mr. Bly begins the whirlwind adventure with the escape of mental patient Julianna from a state institution. She picks up a boy whom she presumes to be a friend of hers from childhood, as well as a young man dealing with drama in love and life. What follows is a road trip none of them will ever forget. Filled with drama, suspense, comedy, rage, and heartbreak...it's sure to be a ride you won't soon forget either! Mr. Bly touches on everything from mental illness to the harsh, racial realities of the 1960's. This is a book I would recommend to anyone, and an author I hope to read more from.
January 28, 2022
I debated the rating for this one. The author creates very distinct, fully fleshed out characters that feel like real people. I cared about what happened to them. And he’s also very good at building tension as you fear the worst for them. Especially for the black boy in 1962 America. I read this with a sense of dread the whole way through.
But Julianna’s painful past and the things that happen along their road trip seemed excessively tragic. Although everything is presented in a plausible way, it also felt like too much, too improbable. Yet also entirely possible! I didn’t know how to feel about it.
So. This was not a pleasant read. I would not say I enjoyed it. But it left an impression on me; it made me feel things. Rounding up the rating based on that.
But Julianna’s painful past and the things that happen along their road trip seemed excessively tragic. Although everything is presented in a plausible way, it also felt like too much, too improbable. Yet also entirely possible! I didn’t know how to feel about it.
So. This was not a pleasant read. I would not say I enjoyed it. But it left an impression on me; it made me feel things. Rounding up the rating based on that.
June 25, 2014
This book was straight up ridiculous. The characters were unrealistic, their interactions unbelievable, and the plot, though interesting in concept, could have used more time in the oven. I genuinely do not understand all the rave reviews. It can't be stated enough, the writing was rudimentary and smacked of first semester of high school creative writing class. There was also, I suspect, an overuse of the good old thesaurus. Do not read this book.
November 18, 2021
Noah Bly, Please write more books. Especially about the small southern Iowa town you grew up in.
Others have typed this quote, but I want to keep it handy:
"Yet if their time with Julianna Dapper had taught him anything, it was that the world was an arbitrary and ridiculous place, where all things were possible. Coincidence and human stupidity held sway much of the time, but not always; There was love, too, of course, and companionship, and now and then even a measure of grace."
Others have typed this quote, but I want to keep it handy:
"Yet if their time with Julianna Dapper had taught him anything, it was that the world was an arbitrary and ridiculous place, where all things were possible. Coincidence and human stupidity held sway much of the time, but not always; There was love, too, of course, and companionship, and now and then even a measure of grace."
December 14, 2017
Holy hell this was fantastic. I think Bart Yates is the only author who has never let me down when it comes to his novels (Noah Bly is Yates pseudonym). I became instantly immersed in Julianna's heartbreaking life as well as all of the other lives her quest touched. This is just one of those novels that I easily spent ten minutes devouring two pages because of all of the emotion. This is definitely my favorite book I read this year.
April 2, 2014
From the book:
"Yet if their time with Julianna Dapper had taught him anything, it was that the world was an arbitrary and ridiculous place, where all things were possible. Coincidence and human stupidity held sway much of the time, but not always: There was love, too, of course, and companionship, and now and then even a measure of grace."
"Yet if their time with Julianna Dapper had taught him anything, it was that the world was an arbitrary and ridiculous place, where all things were possible. Coincidence and human stupidity held sway much of the time, but not always: There was love, too, of course, and companionship, and now and then even a measure of grace."
March 17, 2015
This grabbed my attention right away. It was a roller coaster of a ride, yet, it was a down homey sort of book. Compassion, coming of age leaving awkwardness behind, and love. The kind of love that comes without anyone looking for it. It touched every raw nerve it could find in me and I hope I am a better person for having read it.
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