Wind River

by Tom Morrisey

Desperate to forget what happened to him in Iraq, Tyler Perkins flees to the emptiness of Wyoming. He's here to escape and also to fulfill a long-ago promise by accompanying his 86-year-old friend Soren Andeman on a fly-fishing trip--once more for old time's sake. But their trek to an idyllic trout lake soon becomes something more deeply harrowing--a journey that uncovers long-held lies, deadly crimes, and the buried secrets of the past.--From publisher description.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Suspense

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Tom Morrisey is the author of six novels and short stories, is a world-renowned adventure-travel writer whose work has appeared in Outside, Sport Diver (where he serves as Editor at Large) and other leading magazines. He holds an MA in English Language and Literature from the University of Toledo and an MFA in Creative Writing from Bowling Green State University. He lives in Orlando, Florida. Visit Tom's Web site at www.tommorrisey.com

Reviews

[Freda Mans-Labianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story!
I felt almost every emotion on the planet while reading this book. I felt part of the mountains, while Ty and Soren trekked. I felt the power of love in moments with family. I felt a sense of adventure on the trails and at the camps. I was shocked, surprised, and yet, understanding when the big whopper happened. (Gotta read the book to learn what that is.) I was choked up and sad when death rang the doorbell. I can't tell you how beautifully put together this story is, but I can advise you read it yourself. You won't regret it. It's epic!

[Cliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

PTSD is confusing, skews one's outlook, one's thinking, one's attitude. Covering old sins has a way of catching up to one and deeply affecting one's life.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tom Morrisey's book, Wind River, starts out with incredible promise. The introduction to its main characters, Ty and Soren, is done well, and the short stint of backstory of Ty's time in the military provides a good way for us to bond and want to read on to see what happens to him. Then, when it goes into the scenes with his wife, it creates such sudden angst! I am trying to remain vague so as to not give away any spoilers, but the main point I am trying to make is that with the questions Morrisey starts making us ask and the tension he starts building, combined with his good writing, he creates a fantastic start to a story. I was so stoked at first to have found a Christian fiction book that wasn't cheesy but was genuinely well written!

There were a few annoying quirks, such as his constant use of the character's names when speaking to each other, repetitive titles like "Tiger" and "boss", and some of the dialogue was a little unnecessary and on-the-nose between Tyler and Soren, but the plot could have easily made this completely overlookable.

Unfortunately, without warning, the book completely fell apart in the middle. Suddenly I was reading page after page about their camping adventure, with I think around 125+ pages of this 300-page book dedicated to pointless narration that literally did nothing to advance the plot. And I mean nothing. This would have been excusable if the author had gone off on a small detour about fly-fishing and his extensive knowledge about camping and then come back, but he parked the entire story here and effectively killed it. By like 60 or so pages in maybe, when I realized this was not going to go away, I noticed that there was a point where Morrisey wrote about Soren taking a nap and Ty going on a hike. Ty went up, went back down, and then absolutely nothing happened. He took multiple pages to narrate something with the significance of Tyler tying his shoes, with no internal dialogue, no character development, no advancement in anything plot-related, just utter pointlessness.

I was genuinely floored when I hit page 200. How is it that the back of the book promises us there will be some sort of nature taking it's revenge they will have to flee, harrowing danger, lies and sins catching up with them etc.? I found myself turning the book over periodically to see if I was the one making a mistake, but sure enough, there the little tantalizing promises were. As I kept on reading, I began to think that maybe whoever wrote that blurb hadn't actually read the book, but around 275, with 25 PAGES LEFT TO GO, the book hits what I guess one could call a climax. Or at least its attempt at it. This book reads like the author was told he could only write 300 pages, a fact he forgot, and then at p. 275 he realized he screwed up and needs to end it. And, furthermore, there is never a 'nature taking its revenge', if you don't count a totally random fire that goes absolutely nowhere; I have no idea how that got on the back of the book.

He proves his writing prowess in the story of Lucy Washington, which again absorbed me and made me forget where I was, I was so swept away by his great story-telling! How could he have let his book fall apart like this? Who is his editor? Does he even have one?!? This could have been a phenomenal novel if he would've swapped the 125+ pages of camping with the 25 pages of plot development, and with a little better character development of Tyler, at the least. I was honestly just so deeply disappointed because he started this book so well that it left a very long way to fall.

Two stars instead of one just because he is a good writer. Personally, I wouldn't recommend just because there are so many books to read, but this novel could be one you skim I suppose.

[Jason Lilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching story about the bond that can form between two men from different generations, how nature can soothe our souls, and how long-kept secrets can keep our souls from finding true rest. Tom Morrisey is a really good writer, and it is clear from his vivid descriptions of the natural setting that his time as a writer with Outside Magazine did him well. This is the book's strongest aspect. While the story is touching, the biggest chunk of the book is our two main characters camping, fishing, cooking the fish, making coffee, and talking. These scenes aren't bad (see my comments above about Morrisey's nature writing), and they even made me long for the days of fishing with my grandpa. But the real story behind the book doesn't really get started until almost the end. Once it gets to that point, the book is tough to put down mostly because you want to know more. And then something even more suspenseful happens, and then something else, but the results of those end up being a bit of a letdown. And once the novel ended, I was still left with unanswered questions.

I will say that after reading this book, I plan to look into Morrisey's writings for Outside magazine because that seems to be where his strength lies: outdoor writing.

[Elby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve come to realise that I’ll deeply enjoy any novel that conveys an evocative sense of place in nature. I immensely enjoyed picking this up and walking (albeit slowly) on the trail with Soren and Ty, observing their spare banter as they fished.

The trouble with this book isn’t so much that it was an unexpected work of Christian fiction (once I got over that initial surprise, I could roll with it) it was the abrupt ending that demonstrated absolutely zero emotional climax/epiphany for Ty in such a way that was satisfying or made sense. It was like a huge chunk of the book was removed from the denouement to … make it a snappy finish? Or did the author get over and have a deadline and just called it a day? I don’t know. A whole subplot was left unresolved. It could be argued the main plot was unresolved too! A weird one.

Anyway, 3.5 stars goes to the setting and setting only. Morrisey writes nature pretty well. It makes me long to pick up a Zane Grey novel (who writes nature fantastically). With that, I’m going to place one on hold from my local library…

[Alina Terrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that transplants you right into the hot, breezy , bugs and birds clicking in the grass, trails and ranges of Wyoming. Imagery is excellent and it definitely leaves you wanting to fish and have peace in nature. The back in forth between the two main characters was real and believable.
About 2/3 through, it did lose my interest for a bit. But the ending provided a good resolve for the second character.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired to read literature about Wyoming and Wind River reserve after watching the movie of the same name (different story, of course) and the beauty of the Wyomng outdoors seen in the film is beautifully described here in this novel. It made me want to grab my camping/hiking gear and get out there.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, but I think mostly because I am from Wyoming. I was left feeling like there were a few missing pieces... what happened to Edda? What did the Sheriff have to say about the murder? Etc. However, I think that’s because I really started getting interested towards the end of the story.

[Wyatt Millikin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun novel that moved along quickly and kept the pages turning. It was quite fast paced, never lingering long and skipping around. The characters should have been fleshed out some more. As it is, it was hard to really connect with them. Overall I enjoyed the book and was entertained as I read.

[Tom Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a simple novel though very well written. The trout fishing and hiking was spot on accurate. Pinedale, WY and the Wind Rivers are such great places, one of my favorites in the world. This story did not get maudlin in the least. Morrisey showed much discipline to keep it that way.

[Fayette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve done some fly-fishing and the writing about fly-fishing in this book is beautiful. I originally thought I had picked up a book by Toni Morrison and was surprised that she knew so much about fly-fishing. Haha . But I was not disappointed in the subject or the book.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is OK if you know all about fly fishing and like to read about it , and like to read details about camping and being in nature. I didn't think anything at all was going to happen, then the story got better in the last 1/4 of the book.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of detail, especially concerning fly fishing. Good, though.

[Lona Schuett · Rating 3 out of 5]

just didn't think it was very interesting.

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read. Not as intense as the back cover suggests. Some thoughtful moments.

[Woody (WatchWithWoody) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good for the majority of the book, but the ending fell flat.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

[Becky Beighley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this out bc the movie says it’s based on this book- but it’s by the barest thread. But this was great!

[Matthew Brede · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story and an easy read.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Tyler Perkins also known as Ty was a boy, his best memories were of fishing and spending time with Soren Andeman. Soren and his wife Edda are an older couple that bonded with Ty. Ty and Soren's favorite fishing spot was in Wind River Range, Wyoming.
Sixteen years later in 2008, Tyler is a combat Veteran of the current war in Iraq. He is currently living in Virginia with his wife Angie. He has been discharged from the Marine's. He is working for UPS. He is struggling with P.T.S.D.---Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Angie encourages Ty to travel to Wyoming and spend time with Soren. Maybe this trip will be a way for Ty to talk about what happened in Iraq. Ty and Soren can fish again, one more time of bonding.
Although for both of them it will be an experience more than they planned for.

I have had this book for a few years in my to be read pile. I was happy to be able to finally get caught up enough during this summer to read Wind River.

The negatives:
I am the mother of a combat Veteran of Iraq. I am also the daughter and granddaughter of combat Veterans. I feel that I have some investment in any story where a Veteran is concerned.
I also know what my son has gone through with P.T.S.D. I know what he encounters from the Veteran's Administration. I know what my daughter in-law has gone through. I know what my grandchildren have gone through.
1. I state the above because I was annoyed at the character Angie who is the wife of Ty. She asked a foolish question on page 53, "What happened to you over there?" To me this is both a foolish question and an inappropriate question. It comes across as being insensitive. What does she think happened? That they went camping, roasted marshmallows, and had hiking trips in the desert? Ty is patient with Angie. She wants him to talk to her, what she doesn't understand is he can't, because she does not need to know the graphic details that he has imprinted in his mind. They will need to learn to express themselves again, but it will never be like it was before. War changes people, both the Veteran and his family. The change is irrevocable. They will have to learn a new way, a new life.
2. Ty mentions to a friend that he's been to the V.A. or Veteran's Administration and all they did was give him sleeping pills. I would have liked it if this story had more dialogue about this very real problem in the V.A. A prescription is easy to write to a Veteran, and it's often done without the physician even looking the Veteran in the eyes. The next time the Veteran sees a physician because the medication is not working, it's a different physician. It's a circus.
3. I felt at times as if the author was holding back. I cannot quite put my finger on it, but I felt he was holding back.

This is the first book I've read by Tom Morrisey and I have nothing to compare his book to. This story is not the average Christian Fiction book. In a field of dainty female type inspirational romance fiction books, Wind River would not appeal to some women, but it would appeal to male readers.

The positives.
1. A dramatic turn in the relationship between Ty and Soren. Their fishing trip for "ole times sake" becomes a catalyst for both men.
2. I loved the dramatic detour in the story, because a second plot had developed. We are shown a further understanding in the men, something more that they could relate to.
3. I loved the well-spun story of two men in the beautiful wilderness of Wyoming. I could almost hear the wind moving through the trees, hear the roar of the river.
4. There are a few meaningful quotes that I pondered over. One in particular that makes the reader lean in a bit closer as if this story is being told by the fireside, and a significant part is about to be told.
"This here ain't your hot cocoa sort of story." -----I love that quote!

[A.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The back cover of Wind River claims it is "engaging wilderness adventure that expolores the power of confession, the beauty of forgiveness, and the freedom of truth unveiled."

Truth be told if I ever publish a novel I hope that there's a statement like that on the back. Perhaps not the "engaging wilderness adventure" part, but I do want to write fiction that deals with the issues of life so deeply it becomes more than a novel. It becomes a story laced with truth, beauty and hope.

Having never read Tom Morrisey before I didn't know what to expect at the start. After folding the back cover closed a half hour ago I can say the promises of the back cover are true.

Wind River is about an American sodier, Tyler Perkins, returning from Desert Storm and carrying him heavy emotional baggage. This immediately weakens his young marriage, his faith, and his self-worth. A surrogate Grandfather to Tyler, Soren Andeman, is nearing the end of his life and wants to make one last trip into the Wind River range, a section of the northern Wyoming mountains, to fly-fish and see the land he loves so much before he's too old, or unhealthy to make the hiking trip. Two unsolved missing person cases, thorough, colorful descriptions of fly fishing, and 300 pages later, Wind River is a tranquil, cleanly-written read.

I wouldn't say it's "engaging wilderness adventure" as the back cover claims because I feel like that statement doesn't do justice to the simple beauty of Morrisey's writing. Many of the chapters, especially near the middle third of the book, deal relatively little with the final climax of the plot. The story reads like the fishing trip the chararacters are on: beautiful in the intricacy of detail, tranquil in the quiet but steady knowledge of the characters, and often ending each chapter with a good "catch". As Morrisey described the sport of fly fishing, with its sweeping casts, beautiful surroundings, and gentle rhythms, so the story steadily moved through the two men's week long hike into Wyoming's mountain country and the character's troubled pasts.

The story ends highly believable and gently convicting. While I wouldn't say it's a "page-turner" or an adventure novel, I found myself staying up late reading because of the concise, clean writing style - filled with insights into the camping, fishing, and hiking worlds, all of which I know little about - and because Tyler and Soren were so believably real. They could be anybody's great uncle or troubled friend. And though their stories involve military service and criminal investigations, because of their honest faith, and honest doubt, they could be you or me.

[Nikki (nikkis.novel.ideas) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Nikki Pringle for Reader Views (8/08)

Tyler Perkins grew up among the vast mountains, valleys, and lakes of Wyoming. He used to go fly fishing with a man named Soren Andeman who had become like a father to him after his own was gone. On one trip, Ty made a promise to come back one day when Soren was older to take him on one last fishing trip. Years later, Ty joins the Marines and serves in both Afghanistan and Iraq during the wars. He comes back to his new home in Virginia a different man than the one he was before he left. He is uncommunicative and inattentive to his wife and is having a hard time letting go of the past and looking towards the future. When he receives an unexpected postcard from Soren, now eighty-six-years old and still living in the Wyoming backcountry, Ty decides to take a trip out West to take his old fishing buddy on one last adventure, as he had promised all those years before.

What was supposed to be a relaxing escape from everyday life turns into more than Ty bargained for when old lies, betrayals, and long-buried secrets come rushing to the surface like a brown trout rising in a cold mountain stream. When the men’s stories are shared, Ty must contemplate what justice and forgiveness really means, not just for himself, but for those around him here in Wyoming and back in Virginia. The trip home turns in to a desperate life or death struggle. Perhaps nature is trying to take matters in to its own hands with an act of God that will ensure justice at last.

“Wind River” is as breathtaking as the vistas Tom Morrisey so eloquently describes. He does more than ample justice to his novel’s location and to the characters that he had developed so richly. “Wind River” is a tale of returning to ones roots, both spiritual and real, and having the ability to look deep inside to find the answers to making things right that no one else can give. I found myself lost in this tale of nature and nurture and was enthralled by the beauty that Morrisey led me to imagine as clearly as if I was actually there through his wonderful storytelling. I recommend “Wind River” to any reader who is looking for something captivating and beautiful to add to their reading list.

[Manuel Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy read. A story about how a man fulfills his promise to an older friend he made when he was a boy to take the older man up to the mountains to fish when the older man couldn’t go any longer. I liked the book but the last chapter could have been expanded. It felt a bit rushed. They each have reasons for going on the fishing trip and the bond they shared allowed them to deepen their friendship.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful book about friendship, guilt and a journey of faith.