Winter Run

by Robert Ashcom

There are certain special—and rare— books that refresh our understanding of how children see the world. This is one of those books. It's the story of a boy growing up in a lost time in an idyllic place—rural Virginia of the late 1940s.

Charlie Lewis is the only child of city people who, after the war, choose to live at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a "gentleman's farm" near Charlottesville. Six years old when his family settles in the renovated corn crib on old Professor Jame's place, Charlie grows up in his personal version of heaven. His innocence is, of course, lost in the process. And so is his version of heaven.

But, as the old saying goes, still waters run deep, and Charlie runs deep, with a natural (almost supernatural) affinity for the land and its animals. For knowledge , he instinctively turns to a group of older black men, some of whom work the farm, others who are neighbors. Jim Crow laws and "the curse left on the land by slavery"—as old Professor James puts it—are still very much in evidence. Even so, Charlie's passions endear him to these men. They understand that he is lonely even if he does not. They watch out for him. And more—they love him.

Winter Run is a story that lets us escape for a moment our own noisy and complicated contemporary lives. Like The Red Pony , like Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals , it takes us back to the joys of childhood's unrestricted enthusiasm and curiosity.

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2002

Reviews

[Georgetowner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly satisfying read, masterfully written, set in rural Virginia post WWII in the final chapters of a way of life destined to end. The book is a series of events in the life of Charlie, an only child coming of age on a farm, that is much like the one my mother grew up on in rural VA. As the stories advance and Charlie grows up, the old ways are ending. It’s all quite bittersweet. I have lived in the very county the story is set in, so it all felt very personal to me and rang quite true. Truly beautiful writing!

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set just after WW11 in Virginia, in a seemingly idyllic rural world that will come to an end, Winter Run follows the escapades of young Charlie from the age of eight through to fourteen. At a time when Blacks and Whites accepted their segregation, yet had respect, the fair skinned blond haired son of a Scandinavian mother Charlie spends much of his time with the Blacks of the community, learning the ways of the countryside. He is adventurous, sometimes to his own endangerment, he has a love of animals and rural life, and from the age of eight would ride his pony alone and unhindered across the farmland.

Winter Run is not a continuous story, but a series of episode in Charlie's life, sometimes told by Charlie, but more often by other observers. The result is a wonderful account of a time now lost, a time not perfect, but a time of innocence and of close community. It makes a most rewarding and leisurely read, at times funny, often touching, but never mawkish.

[Michelem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took a few chapters to get into it. Some of the details were difficult to read about but nonetheless it was a story worth reading. It had me tearing up and then laughing, so few books elicit that response. I was surprised. Was hoping it was a "DandelionWine" Bradbury-type story, not quite but charming in its own way. Parallels can be seen between the two books, however it has a darker feel overall.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those rare books-for-grownups I actually enjoyed. I checked it out based on the photo of a hound pack on the cover, and was delighted to find the interior full of lush descriptions, quite a few animals, and classic stories of country life. It is very much as if someone wished to recreate the type of world one reads about in children's books written in the 1940s.

[Cynthia Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Every boy should have a childhood as Charlie had..such adventures he experienced. Every day on the farm was an adventure and he just could not get enough. I loved how he was always getting into mishaps.

[Matthew Ewoldt]

This is an absolutely delightful book to read. Every one of the stories in this book brought me back to my boyhood in the 1950's rural Virginia. This is a book that should be considered great literature. This is one book that will be handed down to my grandchildren.

[Dawne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of stories my dad tells about his childhood. I want to get a copy for him.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[harold brynildsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winter Run

Winter run this was an interesting plot. I must say it was not my type of story. . I hope it gets an audience.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story of days gone by in the Virginia countryside during the 1940s. A curious and precocious boy comes of age during a very special time in the world. It was a slow read for me but in a good way. You really want to savor the descriptions of the animals, the people and the rural area and time. This would rate a solid 4.5 stars for me, if there was such a thing.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because I felt like I could see my boys, husband and father-in-law in this book. It was a clean, simple story but beautifully told about joys of youth and being outside.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a young boy living in rural Virginia in the 1940s. It is fiction, but sounds like autobiography. It was slow to start with, but the beautiful descriptions were worth the read.

[Nick Woodall · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slice-of-life story set in a small town.