Searching for Van Gogh: A Novel

by Donald Lystra

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Much more than a Coming-of-Age story"

Award-winning author Donald Lystra brings us a wholly unique American heroine, Audrey Brubaker, a fierce young woman who combines the tenacity of Scarlett O'Hara with the charm of Holly Golightly.

It's fall of 1963 in a city in America's industrial heartland. Audrey Brubaker, rejected by her family and community but determined to build a life for herself, becomes the unlikely mentor to Nate Walker, a math and science prodigy who has turned to art in an effort to cope with the death of a revered older brother.

In a relationship that borders on love but never quite seems to get there, Audrey gives meaning to Nate's artistic aspirations, introduces him to life's hard edges, and helps him find courage. Together they set off on an ill-fated to recover Nate's brother's body from a military cemetery in northern Michigan.

Along the way, secrets are uncovered and boundaries are crossed which will change Nate's life forever. But in a heart-wrenching ending, it is Audrey who will need to tap the well-spring of Nate's empathy for her own redemptive needs.

From the streets of a decaying rust-belt city to the pristine forests of northern Michigan, Lystra weaves a narrative that tugs at your heartstrings and compels you to reflect on life and its complexities. If you loved timeless classics like Ordinary People and To Kill a Mockingbird, this book is a must-read for you!


Readers are LOVING this wonderful

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "The story and the characters are marvelous. One has to love Audrey with all her eccentricities and flaws. How did (the author) manage to do that?"
- Dennis Turner, author of the bestselling "What Did You Do During the War, Sister?"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Don't miss this one..... There is a deliberate carefulness, a delicacy even, that characterizes Lystra's writing..... I'm not sure how he does it, but it works...... And in the process, he is doing the writer's job - telling the truth, one true sentence at a time. This is fine writing of the highest caliber. My very highest recommendation." – TIM BAZZETT, author of BOOKLOVER and four other titles

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "This is such a beautiful coming-of-age novel about two young people who connect over traumatic events they slowly reveal to one another......Lystra takes a magnifying glass to the moments of possibility...... As the novel progresses, Lystra whittles the truth out of the events the characters experience in a way that feels exactly right as you arrive at the very last page. A wonderful novel." – Amazon Reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Calling this book a coming-of-age story doesn't do it justice… set in1963 America, in the backdrop of the Vietnam War and the Kennedy assassination…. Mr. Lystra has given the reader much to think about which may be equally pertinent in the very troubled America we live in today.” –Goodreads reviewer


Don't wait! Get your copy now and embark on a moving journey that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2024

Reviews

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 3.5 stars ✰

“You think your life is solid and can never change but then something happens and you realize it isn’t that way at all. Everything is balanced on a narrow edge.

Things can change at any time. Your life can change. Or you can change it.”

If there was one artist I drew more than any during art class, it would have to Vincent Van Gogh - the sheer number of times my hands were stained with oil paints as I tried to capture just the right hue of color in his Starry Night is a memory I look back on with much fondness. 😆 But, Searching for Van Gogh isn't about the artist himself. It is a poignant and heartfelt coming-of-age story of seventeen-year-old Nate, who at the cusp of adulthood is searching for what exactly it is in life that he hopes to achieve - his raison de vivre. 🧑🏻‍🎨

Dividing his time between working as an electrician in a Michigan factory or setting up his artistic easel in the attempts to capture the city vibes of 1963, it is there he meets the slightly older mysterious and beautiful Audrey Brubaker. As the two of them become close friends, their lives slowly intertwine while they attempt to help each other out in personal matters, while also trying to figure out the right step to take for the next stage in their lives.

“I thought I could learn something from it,” I blurted out before she’d reached the path. She stopped and turned around. “Painting. I thought it could—you know—let me see more deeply into life.”

It wasn't that the premise was entirely new to me; it's the way the writing kinda flowed into my system that satisfied my reading sensibilities. It was simple and direct but still emoted so many different emotions and feelings from the characters - almost calming and soothing. 👌🏻 Not too flowery, very clean-cut on dialogue and descriptions, and still managed to make me invested in reading it. The author did a great job in capturing the difficult struggles and the resilient lifestyles of the workforce, while also developing both characters' respective storylines.

It was the tough challenges that either of the two young people faced together that compelled me to continue. 'So it’s a painting about struggle. 😥 Trying to hold your place when something’s trying to take you somewhere else.' Nate's story, in particular, was a gripping one; growing up he's always been in the shadow of his much more demure older brother, Gray, but it's that sudden impulsive yet compassionate request of his mother's that really captured me. It's such a gravitas request - so much that drives Nate's story into different lanes - one that involves assisting Audrey through our own difficult burdens. ❤️‍🩹

“Like how I told you yesterday about color theory. Helping people is one of the rules, as long as it’s something easy for you to do. Another rule is using a person’s name a lot when you talk to them. Dale Carnegie says that for most people their name is the most beautiful sound in the world.”

I really liked their interactions; it felt so natural and their friendship shined at so many various and unexpected stages. Audrey's past is no less bleak, but - it's like a sense of kindred spirit. One that sees a little something of themselves in the other that they are willing to drop anything at the snap of a finger to help the other out. 🥺 There were some really intense moments - some surprises and equally comforting touches that I was swept away by. The steady way in which they revealed hidden truths to one another was also very well done - for there are plenty.

They've had their fair share of tough times and tougher trials, but it is that hopeful and uplifting ending that reminds us that it is just one rough patch in one's life - it doesn't have to define it for you. I was definitely caught off-guard at certain revelations, but the gentle way in which the story cascaded back into reality - a helping hand that guides both of them to face their futures head-strong and steadfast was nicely done. There was humor, there was compassion, but there was also heartbreak and painful truths that made their friendship even stronger in the heat of the moment. 😢

“I knew now that I’d never find Van Gogh’s passion, but it—that failure—didn’t seem to matter.

The world as it existed was enough. For me and for that time it was enough.”

Nate was 'a regular boy, I guess—a regular boy who liked mathematics and electricity and other things most people don’t care about', with an artistic flair -'a boy who doesn’t know if he’s Thomas Edison or Pablo Picasso' that didn't quite know what direction he wanted his life to take. At odds with his heart and himself, I liked how his paintings would often depict what he was feeling at the time - the wall of emotions that threatened to overflow if he wasn't able to find an outlet for it. 😟 It’s interesting. It makes you look at things in a different way. Like trying to see beneath the surface. Beneath the way things seem to be on top.' He was so passionate about his artistic approach, so keen and adamant of making it work - not entirely convinced that a college life of studies was what he wanted.

His argumentative determination has put him at odds with his parents, and yet, some of my favorite moments were with his parents. There is a tentative ground to cover between them, but it is still laced with love and heart. A well-to-do family who suffered an unspeakable loss, the author still leaves us with the hopeful note that things will work out for them. 🤍🤍 And for Audrey, as well. Friendship can be an adventure, too; and Nate went on one heck of a journey with her. They were partners in crime and keepers of secrets and aiding and abetting - all rolled into one. Yes, they could be cruel and unkind, but they could also be considerate and helpful and it was with their fair share of heart-breaking moments that definitely paved the way for their search for a better future was within reach. ✨✨

*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

An appealing coming-of-age story, set in 1963 Michigan.
Two young people meet unexpectedly, and the friendship that forms helps them both to move forward frown tragic experiences in their pasts. It’s a sweet, gentle relationship, forged by the fact that neither Nate nor Audrey has ever felt accepted by their their families for who they really are…
*Red Flags*
F-bombs are dropped frequently, and there are several incidents of underage drinking/ drunkenness.

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smashing winner!

Oh I really enjoyed all facets of this wonderful story. The characters were well written or even carved like a masterpiece.

I love Van Gogh so much. I lived in Nederland for three years and grew to be fascinated will all aspects of this story. The precise details led me to the little villages. So wonderful.

Thanks to Netscape for the opportunity and all these opinions are mine and mine alone.

[Marilyn Boyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Searching for Van Gogh is a very uneven novel, with some sections rising above the more banal sections, such as quite glorious descriptions and sensitive interpretation, but overall, this book needs some levelling out to create a fully developed novel.
The pacing is sluggish at times. The weighted balance between description and action is off. This makes it hard to know what Lystra wants the reader to focus upon. There is way too much imagining what would be happening in the future, to no point for the reader. It would be much better to drop the descriptions of these non-events and sum up the character's' feelings. Likewise, there are too many glimmers of problems, but not enough solid dealing with them. It makes our hero sound simple minded at times - which he is not.
Dialog is another area for improvement. Common phrases like "Okay." , then in response, "Okay", or "Hi" can work beautifully if used by a writer who is able to indicate tone or shades of conversation, but that is not the case here. When this happens, as perhaps Lystra has done, it often can be that the author is hearing some filler or intonation that is not present on the page for the reader. I'm hoping an editor will help with this before publication, because it holds Lystra's work back. Also, a rephrasing is needed for the cliches that occur throughout the dialog, such as the old joke, "If I told you [what we're going to do], I'd have to kill you." and being given a "cook's tour" of Nate's new workplace. (also this should be Cooke's tour to be accurate - nothing to do with cooking!)
Lystra has thrown a lot of issues into this novel and seems intent on covering every aspect of what he may have experienced personally in his younger life, i.e. Kennedy being shot. This is not necessary and scatters the readers' focus.
And finally, I found the title to not truly represent the focus of the novel. It's true that Nate was searching for a new way of seeing, but not an emulation or recreation of Van Gogh. As a coming of age novel, and a depiction of grief, this novel has some strong themes, but the style needs attention to convey them fully. I'm raising the review to 3 stars.
Many thanks to Book Whisperer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jade Clarkson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, the book is a thoughtful read. Initially it was slow for me, but once the story began to develop I knew I needed to finish reading it. Stories set in the past is hard for me, which made this not my cup of tea. However, it is well written, with clear storylines and intriguing characters.

As a Michigan native, I loved reading about places I’ve traveled to often, and it made the story much more tangible for me.

[Cathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I began to think about Einstein's theory of relativity, which I'd studied last year, and which in one part had dealt with stars. The night sky you saw from earth, Einstein said, was actually something that existed long ago; the starlight having to travel through space for thou‐ sands of years before finally reaching a person watching on planet earth. And it seemed to me, there in the church parking lot, that if Einstein was correct then traveling out in space would bring you closer to the truth, closer to the moment when the light had started. And then I wondered if the same applied to memories, where you are also going back in time, and if the things you thought about in memory brought you nearer to the truth.”

Nate Walker’s life undergoes a dramatic change when his older brother, Gary, unexpectedly dies during an army training exercise. Nate saw first-hand how their father relentlessly pressured Gary to enlist in the military, despite Gary’s reluctance. Nate is determined not to give his father that sort of leverage over his own life. Leaving home, he finds work and in his spare time finds solace in painting, just like his brother had with music. On an unassuming day, he meets Audrey Brubaker, a curious young woman who doesn’t conform to societal norms. Despite him not asking, she has a whole lot to say about the colours he picked for his latest painting!

Audrey Brubaker is all alone in the world, but she is determined to make a success of her life one way or another. But she knows that without money there can be no future and so she must learn how to make friends and influence people. Could Nate be the friend she has been searching for?

The exploration of love, desire, and grief is at the heart of Searching for Van Gogh by Donald Lystra.

The story takes place in 1960s America and although the Mutual Assured Destruction ideology does play on the minds of the characters from time to time, for the most part, they do not think about a possible nuclear war as they are just trying to get through each day. The assassination of President Kennedy does have a profound impact on all of the characters in this book as it did in real life. The looming war in Vietnam hints at a future where Nate may have to forsake his true self and follow his brother’s example by becoming a soldier. The era is depicted with an authentic writing style that clearly reflects extensive research. There was never any uncertainty about the time period in which this story takes place.

Gary’s death has a profound and enduring effect on Nate. He harbours dreams for his future, much like his late brother, Gary, but unlike Gary, Nate is resolute in carving his own path, free from his father’s guidance. As a result, he departs from his home, acquires a job, and discovers a talent for painting. Nate is a protagonist who readers can truly rally behind and support. Nate’s endearing qualities extend beyond just being likeable; he is also genuinely kind. With the benefit of hindsight, Nate embarks on a journey to unravel the meaning behind pivotal moments from his past, especially his brother’s death. With new eyes, he has a deeper understanding of why events played out as they did. Nate’s character is depicted in such a sublime manner that readers can forge an instant connection with him. Nate’s narrative takes precedence, as readers are drawn into his transformative journey and captivating exploits.

Audrey has an enigmatic quality that adds to her character. She has endeavoured to leave behind a painful past and start afresh in life. Though not innocent, she is unquestionably vulnerable and completely alone, with no parental support her only true friend is Nate, if she has other friends they are not mentioned in this story. To earn a living, she takes inspiration from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and becomes an escort, a tour guide for rich businessmen, although this is without its dangers. Although her desire to belong is not reflected in her outward demeanour, she mentions Dale Carnegie and his book, How to Win Friends and Influence People several times, which suggests to the reader that she wants to have a normal and successful life. When she isn’t working, she sits in on classes at Kendall Design School, even though she is not a student and should not be there. With no parental support or funds for college, Audrey’s aspirations of being a furniture designer seem out of reach, and therefore she brings forth a great deal of sympathy from the reader.

Nate and Audrey’s shared deviation from societal expectations for their age group is a significant factor in their mutual attraction, although, for the most part, this attraction is not romantic. No judgment or accusations exist between them, allowing for authenticity in their interactions. More often than not, the gentle friendship they’ve formed is disrupted by reality. They both have to make a living, and they are both running from something that neither wants to face. One could argue that their relationship is a fleeting encounter, a momentary junction where their paths briefly align before veering apart. It is a coming-of-age story and one that is deeply enthralling.

Nate’s father is a complicated character and worthy of mention. Although the reader spends very little time with him, his influence is felt throughout the novel. He is very much the head of the family and therefore has a significant influence on his family’s affairs. This can be seen in both his treatment of his wife and that of Gary. His statements are treated as absolute law, and neither his wife nor Gary possesses the strength to challenge him which leads to some devasting consequences. While he frequently states that no mother should experience the loss of a child, he never takes any personal responsibility for Gary’s death. Nate’s relationship with his father is very different to that of his mothers and Gary’s. Nate refuses to be easily influenced by his father and decides to forge his own path. And although their relationship remains cordial there is a sense of disappointment from his father that Nate tries very hard to dismiss. The draconian parenting style might seem foreign to modern readers, and the evident lack of support for Gary is notable. Nevertheless, the author consistently reminds the reader of the vast differences between that time and the present.

The profound impact of grief is felt by all the characters in this book. The depiction of how grief affects them and how they cope with it shows a genuine understanding of the devastating impact of losing a loved one, whether it’s through death or estrangement.

Searching for Van Gogh by Donald Lystra is an immensely enjoyable read and one that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michigan 1963 is the setting for this coming of age story. Nate is 17, and after graduating from high school decides not to go to college after a fight with his father. His brother, who was a talented pianist, is somehow convinced by this same father to join the army because "it will make a man of him." Quite the sad context, especially on the cusp of Vietnam.
After an accident on the shooting range, the brother is killed. It's not a spoiler because this is the set up of the story.
Nate leaves home and gets a job at a car factory. He is fascinated by electricity, so he rather likes the job.
However, to deal with his grief, he decides to become a painter, perhaps in the style of Van Gogh.
One day, Audrey sees him on her daily walk and criticizes his style. They become friends, and we slowly learn her backstory.
They go on a journey, and both learn a lot about themselves.
This is a rather sad book, though there is character growth. I received an EARC Netgalley and Book Whisperer, who I thank because I probably wouldn't have come across this book otherwise.
I quite enjoyed this look at the past, a past that is close to how old I was at the time, so it quite resonated with me.
I think it is important to look at a time where "sensitive boys" and unwed mothers were looked down upon.
I would recommend this book to any age even though the main characters are teenagers, the role that grief plays in a family context is well written. Nate's mother also grows to understand herself, and it is important to know how to cope and become more than one can become more than expected.

[Michael Gizzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Donald Lystra's Searching for Van Gogh. I'll admit I wasn't sure what it would be when I started it, but this was a highly readable, very enjoyable coming of age novel of sorts, with a historical context of the early 1960s, and a young man searching for purpose. Some reviewers have described the writing as simplistic, but even if it is, it is a book that draws you in and moves very quickly. The story stays interesting, and there is no times in it when the reader feels like it is dragging. The protagonist might be a bit naive, but it is in that naivety where his development comes.

And i loved the metaphors to painting and to the great Vincent Van Gogh. Great book.

[Richard Derus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4* of five

The Publisher Says: Set in Michigan during the tumultuous closing weeks of 1963, "Searching for Van Gogh" is a heart-wrenching story of two young souls bravely navigating life's challenges.

A young woman is inspired by a cinematic heroine to find meaning in a world that has cast her aside.

A teenage math and science prodigy turns to art as he struggles with the pain of losing his beloved elder brother.

Their unlikely friendship is a beacon of hope, reminding us that in tough times the best defense is the help we can give to one another.

Reminiscent of timeless classics like Ordinary People and To Kill a Mockingbird, this story celebrates the power of friendship and understanding in an often unforgiving world.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: Do you need a break from the nastiness and unapologetic hatemongering of the world outside your door? Do you want to take a trip back to a world still slowly moving into full awareness of how cruel it has become?

Here's you a read.

Two people carrying a lot of sadness find each other at very vulnerable moments in each one's life. Their entire worlds have narrowed into coping with loss and loneliness. Then...they meet, they connect, and they tentatively learn to communicate.

What on Earth is happening to this old man, I can hear you wondering. This kind of story never appeals to him! Quite true, it is not my native land, well-trodden paths to and fro everywhere one looks in my catalog of reads. I was pleased to read something with the personal stakes of this story...grief, loss, coming to terms with the way the world works, how families fail each other at crucial times. The prose is direct and unpretentious, the voices of the characters distinct, and that plus the storyline and setting gave me what I craved most: Investment and involvement with neither anger nor outrage, just the pleasant sense that this time the world handed these two hurting souls the balm instead of the liniment.

I needed an emotionally real story, uncomplicatedly told, with people in believable emotional pain that was not going to cause Disaster. I needed that story to end believably well without absurd, over-the-top machinations, like it does in the happier passages of Real Life. And I got what I needed. I am glad I read this direct, involving, kind story.

So, kindness seekers, come to Donald Lystra's doorstep and be fed.

[Lynne Hannmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Searching for Van Gogh is Donald Lystra’s second novel and third publication. Set in Michigan in 1963, it’s not however historical fiction. The time period is important in setting the cultural tone, but is secondary to this coming of age story.
The central characters are two teenagers, Nathan Walker and Audrey Brubaker, each of whom has left home and are trying to establish themselves in adult lives in the small city of Grand Rapids. They are completely different personality types, but have several things in common - a fractured parent/child relationship, a tragic loss of a family member, a strong interest in art, and the perception that they can put the past in the rear view mirror. They are attracted to each other out of emotional need but neither is equipped for a serious romantic relationship.
The title was a bit misleading until the reader is given some direction. The artistic element looms large particularly for Nate who has been strongly influenced by the passion in Van Gogh’s works. He feels that through painting he can find meaning in his life and if he can find his passion he can make great art. Audrey also has an artistic interest which manifests in furniture design.
The unfolding of these characters histories, as well their present situation was intense and thought provoking. There is a full range of human behavior and emotions. Both are searching. Some paths turn out to be good decisions, others not.
My interest started slowly but eventually I couldn’t put the book down. I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Lystra’s writing, as almost everything seemed important to either character development or the forward movement of the story. There was nothing excessive or page filling repetition.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Omena Hills Press and the Book Whisperer for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Searching for Van Gogh by Donald Lystra was an interesting story of a young man and a young woman brought together by coincidence for a short while in 1963. The language and story were pretty stark, reflective of the times and the conservative mid-west, more than anything. Nathan was seventeen. He worked in an auto factory and rented a room in a private home. He had left his home in Detroit to come to Grand Rapids because his father didn’t want to pay for college. Really, he didn’t want to pay for college if Nathan didn’t study what he wanted him to. He painted in his spare time. He just thought it would be a good idea. He was doing OK when he met Audrey, a young woman who took walks every day. She said she ran a walking tour business, but he had his doubts. After weeks of talking she asked him to drive his car to her parents’ house to get something for her: a baptismal gown she had made for her dead baby. He did as she asked but got caught by her father. When his mother arrived wanting him to help her retrieve his brother’s body from its grave at a military base, he called his father, who came and got her. Later when he decided it needed to be done, he took Audrey.

It was a compelling story, full of secrets and innuendos. The characters were both stark, although I felt like I got to know them. Their stories were both, while not ordinary, the kinds of things that happen to people. This was a slice of life story, started at one point and ended at another, then moved along for both of them. It was interesting and the style was very different from what I normally read so there is that. I came away feeling it is what it is. Move on. Interesting book. Thanks Donald Lystra.

I was invited to read Searching for Van Gogh by Book Whisperer. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BookWhisperer #DonaldLystra #SearchingForVanGogh

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Searching for Van Gogh
By Donald Lystra

Calling this book a coming of age story doesn't do it justice. While it is one – the coming of age of a young man named Nate Walker – it is much more than that. It is the "searching" of the title that is closer to what this book is about. Everyone in this story is searching for something – maybe truth, maybe something more.

Mr. Lystra begins this book with a quotation: "There is truth and there's what's needed and sometimes they are not the same." For me this quote sums up the story in a nutshell.

Nate is a seventeen year old boy who has argued with his father about going to college to study math or business or some such. He has decided to strike out on his own and support himself while trying his hand at painting. This decision has much to do with the death of his older brother, Gary, a sensitive boy and talented pianist – and possibly gay – who joined the army at his father's insistence and is killed in what the army calls a shooting range accident. This death has splintered his family.

But Nate isn't the only one searching for something. He meets up with a very strange – yet fragile – girl named Audrey who proceeds to tell him a series of half-truths and lies about her life. Additionally, Nate's mother, who cannot forgive herself for not doing more to protect Gary from a father who didn't understand him, is also searching for meaning in her life.

All this is set in 1963 America, in the backdrop of the Vietnam War and the Kennedy assassination. Thus the whole country is searching. I found that Mr. Lystra has given the reader much to think about which may be equally pertinent in the very troubled America we live in today.

[Marcia Crabtree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donald Lystra is an award winning writer whom I’d never heard of before I read his second novel, and third published work of fiction, “Searching for Van Gogh.” He won several awards for his first novel, “Season of Water and Ice,” and his short story collection, “Something That Feels Like Truth,” and this third publication released this past February seems it, too, will receive some honors and awards.

It’s a simple, uncomplicated book, written in simple, plain language. It’s time spans just a couple of months, mainly just a few days, in the life of its two main protagonists, Nate and Audrey, as told from Nate’s point of view. It takes place near the beginning of the Vietnam War and amidst the draft, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and finally the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. During an impromptu road trip, they are changed. They learn. They mature. They grow.

The story unfolds quietly, slowly revealing secrets and truths that some would have liked to have been kept hidden. It demonstrates that everyone needs a little help now and then and someone to lean upon. It also shows that everything changes, including relationships, and nothing is permanent, even the lives we lead. It’s a touching story, showing that there is good in this world, if only people will respect one another and be true to themselves.

I received a free, advanced reader’s copy of “Searching for Van Gogh.” I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cutty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coming-of-age novel that I could not put down due to its lyrical prose and depth of feeling. Nathan Walker is a young man, living and working in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the year 1963. He is from Detroit and now the only son of a upper middle class family. His brother, Gary, was shot by friendly fire at an Army training camp just the year before. Gary was not meant for military life, as he was a gentle soul who could play the piano like Van Cliburn. Gary’s father pushed him into enrolling to toughen him up and now he is dead. Nathan has put physical distance between himself and his family, not really sure what path he wants to take in life. He has the mind of an engineer, loving all things electronic, but when he is not working in a factory, he has taking up developing his artistic talents painting landscapes. This is how he meets Audrey Brubaker, another lost soul, who also is separated from her family, living a hard scrabble life, earning her keep giving business men tours of the city (and perhaps more?). Gary is still very wet behind the ears, Audrey not so much. Through their friendship, and a trip to recover Gary’s body to bring home to bury, Nathan learns truths about life, about his brother, and about himself.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Searching for Van Gogh by Donald Lystra
After so many years of teaching teens, I found myself thinking “those crazy kids” as misstep followed misstep. Then events and dates would remind me that these would have been my contemporaries. Surely we were never that young, that confused, that torn between dreams and expectations. Or were we?
Nate and Audrey try to find their directions in life through art and friendship. Each is dealing with personal loss, off balance but looking ahead. Fathers in the ‘60s expected to be the leaders of their families (I had forgotten how “normal” that was), so both must struggle to be free to make their own decisions. I cared for them and for Nate’s mother, and worried about them, and applauded their efforts. At the end I didn’t want to let them go, and I wanted to know more about their lives . . . but that’s a feeling teachers are used to as our students go off to make their own way in life.
This is a thought-provoking book. When the world is in upheaval, how can one tell what’s real, important, moral? It was also a pleasure to read, well-written, with apt descriptions, characters who felt real, and secrets to uncover.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this unknown (to me) author's book from the New Books Shelf because it was done by a Michigan author. Our book discussion group tries to read authors from our state. My interest started slowly but eventually I couldn’t put the book down. I thoroughly enjoyed Lystra’s writing, as almost everything seemed important to either character development or the forward movement of the story. When it slowed down it was needed to develop the relationship of the main characters.

The central characters are two teenagers, Nathan Walker and Audrey Brubaker, each of whom has left home and are trying to establish themselves in adult lives in Grand Rapids. They are completely different personality types, but have several things in common - a fractured (but not physically abuseive) parent/child relationship, a tragic loss of a family member, a strong interest in art, and the perception that they can put the past in the rear view mirror. They are attracted to each other out of emotional need but neither is equipped for a serious romantic relationship. TG!

The time period, 1963, is important in setting the cultural tone, but is secondary to this coming of age story. When Pres. Kennedy is asassinated it brought up memories of my teenage life at the time too. Nathan reflects on the speeches that Kennedy gave & impressed him: "For me the speeches seemed to do the opposite, make things seem important that I had never thought about before. At least I hadn't thought about them in the way he explained them. Like helping people in poor countries, and being fair with Negroes, and not letting big corporations get away with things."
Audry reflects, "I feel kinda funny. Like things are out of control. Like anything can happen. Like there are no limits....But he was younger than the other presidents...so you could understand him better. You could understand when he explained things because it wasn't so different from your own thoughts. Except you didn't know you had those thoughts until he explained them to you...." p.216

These two young adults were trying to come to terms with the present while their future was uncertain. Donald Lystra brings the reader into the story as he easily paints their youth and confusion as only someone who lived this era could. Audry has a plan for her life. "A plan can let you relax and give yourself up so your mind can go to other places."

The story is so moving, thoughtful and well written, I was happy when the end of the book took a few short chapters longer to really end. Usually this frustrates me but this time it worked because I wasn't ready to see the story close. I will have to search outDonald Lystra's previous two books and suggest reading him for our next season's book discussion. It was a good read.

[Joyce Cacioppo stein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Search for Van Gogh by Donald Lystra is about 2 young people growing up during the 1960’s. Nate and Audrey are transitioning from childhood to adulthood. They have both left home to find themselves and to try and deal with things that have happened in their young lives. Both seemed to be rejecting authority and the ideals of the country at that time. They become friends but know little about each other.

Unfortunately this is not the type of book I normally read and I was not impressed with it. Not that I do not vary my reading genres, but I found the writing to be very repetitive and situations drawn out. I skipped over a lot. I think the idea of friendships and people trying to understand themselves and each other is a good premise for a story, but I was just not crazy about the way it was presented.

Thank you Netflix Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this pre-release.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the early 1960s, America was facing many changes that trickled down to young adults in bits and pieces. Teenagers were expected to act as adults but still treated by society as children. There was a family structure that was followed by most households. You knew exactly where you fit into your family, school, community......unless you didn't. The closing months of 1963 would throw everyday life into a turmoil that America would never face again. These two young adults were trying to come to terms with the present while their future was uncertain. Donald Lystra brings the reader into the story as he easily paints their youth and confusion as only someone who lived this era could. The story is so well written, I found the end of the book long before I was ready to see the story close. An easy 5 star read that my reading circle is going to love!

[SHIRLEY · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was set in Grand Rapids Michigan in 1963 during the Kennedy era and the Vietnam War.
It described the budding friendship between Nate- a 17 yr old factory worker whose brother died in an accident on an Army bae during training, and Audrey, a slightly older furniture designer, who also works as a city guide to visiting men around Grand Rapids.
Both characters are coping with losses and unfulfilled dreams. Both have parent/child issues and unfulfilled dreams which caused them to leave home and try to establish themselves as adults.
Nate took up painting as a relief from work and felt that through painting, he can find his passion and produce great art. His brother was a talented pianist and Nate lived in his large shadow. Their father urged his brother into the Army to "make him a man" and the family is having difficulty coping with the accident.
I had a hard time connecting with the characters as the story seemed like a series of vignettes, without a theme. Nate's mother was distraught about the accident and wanted to bring their son's body home. When she approached Nate about helping her, his father talked her out of it. Later, Nate and Audrey decide to drive to the Army base and bring the body home. The interactions, decisions and relationships just didn't seem authentic or logical to me.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Lisa Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC, I am leaving my honest review. A beautiful story of a young man, and a young woman whom by chance meet on the bank of a river where the young artist paints his creation. Striking up conversation, they begin to unravel some of their feelings about life, prospective outcomes and internal feelings. They soon become friends, sharing a common personality. They are different. Seeking to find their true selves they embark on a journey of discovery that will either draw them apart, or create a closer bond. By the time the last page is read, they both will have become endearing characters who go through many obstacles to find out who they are. The plot is fast moving and highly emotionally charged but gripping and hard to put down

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Searching for Van Gogh: A Novel by Donald Lystra. The writing is simple and straightforward: “I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and Audrey ordered a tuna fish salad sandwich with lettuce but no tomato.” The book is not dull or without meaning, however. Lystra’s style is, to me, similar to Hemingway or Salinger. I appreciate all he conveys without excess language. The characters are deeply developed and highly empathetic. The settings are vivid without lavish descriptions. This is a coming of age story, a discover oneself and comprehend the world story. It is a charged novel by an exceptional author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bayview Press for the chance to read and review this ARC.

[Annette Geiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Searching for Van Gogh was a very different read for me. The writing was simplistic and I don’t mean that in a negative way. Two young people trying to find themselves and meet serendipitously. They each learn something from each other and of life during their involvement. Life is not black and white. Transitioning from youth to adulthood, reveals to us, all the grey. One important take-away written in this book, is that “sometimes truth is not as important as what it does to people, the consequences it leaves behind.” Thank you NetGalley and Book Whisperer for granting this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #NetGalley, #SearchingforVanGogh.

[Eunice R · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book difficult to enmesh with as, to me, it felt like there was not much point to it. That could have been the point though - an abstract, like one of Nate's paintings, where each person is entitled to their own interpretation and perspective. I was left feeling, indeed, (tongue-in-cheek here), where DID Van go?

Readers who are art people may have a better view of this fictional narrative.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

January 2024

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the early 1960’s you follow Nate Walker as he attempts to figure out where he fits in life. Forging his own path instead of conforming to the ideals of his father. He meets Aubrey who has her own version of what life should be. So uniquely different they still manage to forge somewhat of a friendship. They are both dealing with complicated pasts, unaddressed hurts and an expectancy of what the future should be. It’s a fast read and I enjoyed how thoroughly the author introduced you to these characters.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.” Thank you NetGalley and Book Whisperer.

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this coming-of-age story set in the 60s, a time I remember well. The college-aged main character, Nate, seems naive in his relationships with girls, but he was much like many boys I knew then. Compared with today, it was a more innocent time. Nate's friendship and car journey with Audrey, an older girl by a few years, takes place over a fairly short time, but result in life-changing revelations for Nate. I liked the simple style of the author's writing, and there wasn't a single moment that dragged. I shed a quiet tear at the end. Recommended.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such beautiful coming-of-age novel about two young people who connect over traumatic events they slowly reveal to one another, at an age when life still seems malleable, when it seems like you might take another path than the one laid out for you. Lystra takes a magnifying glass to this moment of possibility, and in spare, Hemingway-esque prose, focuses closely on these moments of decision and indecision, of hope and fear. As the novel progresses, Lystra whittles the truth out of the events that unfold in the novel in a way that feels exactly right as you arrive at the very last page. A wonderful novel.

[Shelly Lincoln · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some wonderful moments in this coming of age novel, but in general I found it to be uneven both in writing and in pacing. The story feels like it is being told at me, which is not a writing style I enjoy. The characters were not fully developed and don't seem to grow over the time span of the story. The story touches on a number of key elements (Viet Nam, Kennedy assassination, love, grief, family dysfunction) but never seems to tie them all together. And finally, while I appreciate the metaphor for searching for a new way of viewing things, I found the title to be a touch disingenuous.

[madonna bogus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Searching for Van Gogh

Beautiful coming of age story. Nate is a Midwestern boy who is coming to grips with the death of his older brother, and the story is written thru his eyes. He leaves home to work in Grand Rapids and meets a girl who is running away from issues in her life as well. Nate's mother shows up begging him to help her in bringing his brother's body home to bury from military camp. Donald Lystra weaves a wonderful story amidst the background of the days of Camelot. The writer captures that poignant time in one' s life, not quite adult not quite child, and the lessons one learns on the road to discovering oneself. Couldn't put it down.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Searching for Van Gogh by Donald Lystra is a story that will take you back in time to 1963. It touches on the war in Viet Nam, the Kennedy Assassination and life. Times were different, things were different and this book tells it well. The plot and characters are well formed. There are some emotional scenes where "coming of age" comes into play. Nate and Audrey have become friends at a time that is needed by both of them. Whether this friendship continues will keep you guessing.

I received a copy of this book on Book Whisperer and I always review every book that I read. This one was different from what I usually read, but it was worthwhile and interesting.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author a week ago at a Meet the Author event in Unionville, Michigan. I had put this book on my want to read list about 3 months ago, so I was excited to go to the event and get a copy to be signed.
I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and a peek into how things were back in the 60s. It kept my interest, and I kept coming back to see what happened next.
My only complaint is the excessive use of the word and. Some sentences "and" is used 4 or 5 times. It was a little distracting for me. That's my only reason for only 4 stars.
No worries, tho. I will read his other books once I get my hands on them.