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Another Long, Hot Day
Following their parents’ violent deaths, Charlie and his three brothers are cast into the sometimes-brutal world of orphanage life. It is a fearful and confusing beginning to a journey that will take Charlie from hate to compassion and finally to hope.
Against a backdrop of the racial injustice of Georgia in the 1960s, two old men—one white and one black—help Charlie discover his self-worth. Through hunting trips, hard work, and conversation, these two men guide Charlie through the emotional minefield between devastating loss and long-lasting peace.
Against a backdrop of the racial injustice of Georgia in the 1960s, two old men—one white and one black—help Charlie discover his self-worth. Through hunting trips, hard work, and conversation, these two men guide Charlie through the emotional minefield between devastating loss and long-lasting peace.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2014
2 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 17, 2014
This is Charlie's story of life in an orphanage and his journey to becoming an adult. I laughed and cried and followed the thread of love and respect that blossomed under some very adverse conditions.
May 22, 2014
Another Long, Hot Day by Stan Waits is a deep, satisfying breath of clean country air tinged with freshly mowed hay—a modern-day Huck Finn filled with adventure, tragedy, survival, compassion, forgiveness and most of all, love.
A great read that one quickly gobbles, vacillating smoothly between poignant gut-wrenching passages to belly-rolling out-bursts and back again. A coming-of-age rollercoaster ride that will haunt and bless you. The lively colloquial dialogue, richly textured descriptions and simply stately narrative of Another Long, Hot Day makes us thirst for a tall glass of iced tea on a sweltering late August afternoon as it clenches our chests, mists our eyes, puts smiles on our faces, as well as hope in our hearts that this first novel will be Stan’s first of many.
With a Twain-like humor for spinning tales in an almost neo-Gothic style that would make Faulkner proud, Stan Waits has a strong Southern voice with much to say.
A great read that one quickly gobbles, vacillating smoothly between poignant gut-wrenching passages to belly-rolling out-bursts and back again. A coming-of-age rollercoaster ride that will haunt and bless you. The lively colloquial dialogue, richly textured descriptions and simply stately narrative of Another Long, Hot Day makes us thirst for a tall glass of iced tea on a sweltering late August afternoon as it clenches our chests, mists our eyes, puts smiles on our faces, as well as hope in our hearts that this first novel will be Stan’s first of many.
With a Twain-like humor for spinning tales in an almost neo-Gothic style that would make Faulkner proud, Stan Waits has a strong Southern voice with much to say.
May 26, 2015
I thought this book was amazing from start to finish. Would highly recommend!
January 2, 2023
Charlie is the oldest child. He has 3 younger brothers and a loving mother and father. His father served in the military and his return home hasn't been easy. In time, he turns to alcohol. The family atmosphere changes and they no longer seem to have any happy times. After an awful event occurs, Charlie and his brothers live in the orphan's home in Cedartown, Georgia. Charlie is angry and scared. He tries to protect his brothers but since they aren't housed together, he does the best he can. One day Charlie meets Luke, a handyman and group home supervisor. Luke sees Charlie's need for a mentor and begins spending time with him.
Stan Waits shows the journey of a broken boy to manhood. The road is rocky and he is forced to grow up far faster than most boys his age. Luke is the stabilizing force for Charlie. He teaches Charlie about life but is the journey to forgiveness where Luke impacts Charlie the most. This is an emotional, touching story with love and kindness to each other as the centerpiece.
Stan Waits shows the journey of a broken boy to manhood. The road is rocky and he is forced to grow up far faster than most boys his age. Luke is the stabilizing force for Charlie. He teaches Charlie about life but is the journey to forgiveness where Luke impacts Charlie the most. This is an emotional, touching story with love and kindness to each other as the centerpiece.
June 10, 2018
Simple yet elegant. Hilarious yet heartbreaking.
If you are still looking for purpose in life, Stan Waits hands it to you on a silver platter. Many years ago I decided there is nothing in life more important or rewarding than being a positive influence on a child's life. This book has confirmed t for me. Charlie, Luke, and Buddy have a lot of wisdom to share, and we've all got a lot of learning to do.
If you are still looking for purpose in life, Stan Waits hands it to you on a silver platter. Many years ago I decided there is nothing in life more important or rewarding than being a positive influence on a child's life. This book has confirmed t for me. Charlie, Luke, and Buddy have a lot of wisdom to share, and we've all got a lot of learning to do.
May 3, 2020
This is a supurb memoir. It shared with us all the things that happened in Charlie's life. Some good... and some not so good. Events led him and his three brothers to a life in an orphanage. Subjects glossed over where : sex, killing, forgiveness, responsibility, manhood, fear, etc. Maybe this sentence will give you some idea of what these pages offer -" there is nothing that happens in God's world by accident."
Just a beautiful piece of work.
10 of 5 stars in my book!!
Just a beautiful piece of work.
10 of 5 stars in my book!!
May 15, 2024
This is mostly autobiographical of my friend Stan Waits. He did live in the orphanage in Cedartown and those tales are his life experiences. His mother was not murdered by his father . However he and his brothers were placed there by his parents. They kept his sister at home. This was common back then when it was hard to feed the kids. This shaped his life good and bad. He passed in 2020
August 16, 2024
At times I found this book a little boring but on the whole a sweet coming of age story about a child who witnesses his father shoot his wife and himself, leaving three orphans. Life at an orphanage is no bed of roses but the need to protect his brothers and himself is foremost. Trying to rid himself of the anger is another issue but the love of a kindly "surrogate father" helps immensely.
July 27, 2022
What a beautiful story of a life headed for destruction, depression, and doom…..turned around by the love and guidance of two best friends. So many themes going through this book: forgiveness, life lessons, pure love, protection, honor, and respect.
April 5, 2015
Fantastic, could not put it down. Hope there will be more from this author.
June 5, 2015
An astonishing look into orphanage life in rural Georgia. Well written.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews