Paths of Young Men

by Matthew Chase Stroud

Michael Corbin is awoken by the sound of his own screaming most nights--the thoughts of his past torturing him without relent. Adding to his tensions, his mother has just passed and he cannot remember the last time he communicated with either of his brothers. Of his own conviction, he has closed himself off from his family, his ambitions, and the world--and his sanity is beginning to slip with little help from the staff at Stonebrook Hospital.
Fearful of Michael's debilitation, Carson Corbin, a man with an adventurous soul but prodigal personality, has taken to the road to fight the dread brought on by the mother's death. His only salvation comes from his relationship with Valencia Mott, a small town journalist with similar qualities.
Meanwhile, their brother, Christopher, travels down the Amazon River with the matriarch's ashes. As he gets deeper into the foreign countryside, he witnesses atrocities indicative of the land itself, as well as the damage suffered from foreign influence. His journey leads him past abandoned villages, a dishonorable Montana oilman, and a tribe of orphaned natives wary of his intentions. Together, the three brothers work through their emotional deficiencies to prove that loss does not irreversibly wound the human spirit.

220 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2014

About the author

Born in Granbury, Texas in 1988, Matthew Chase Stroud was educated there in the public schools. As a boy he connected with the writings of Steinbeck and Faulkner, understanding the importance of rural life. Later, he went on to the University of North Texas to study History and English. During his time as a student he spent his summers working labor jobs across the country with the intention of exploring unfamiliar parts of America’s pastoral landscape. While traveling he began to write about the importance of hard work as well as his thoughts on love, morality, and personal independence. His fascination with the outdoors, the American working class, and the country’s cultural diversity has inspired his unique, yet relatable characters. He currently resides in Tucson, Arizona with his wife. To date, he has written two novels and a collection of short stories on his Olvetti typewriter.

Reviews

[Redsilver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Paths of Young Men an interesting and deeply profound look into the human psyche.

[Victoria Brinius · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really interesting book about how three siblings can each react to grief in their own way. This author did a great job of describing scenes. These brothers not only had to come to terms with their mother's death, and their own issues, but they also had to come to terms with each other. Even though they all chose a different path they were still connected by memories. It was interesting to read how each character finished the book. I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review from The Book Review Buzz, however all opinions are my own.

[Samie Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a dramatic read! Once I started reading this I couldn’t put it down. There is so much drama that unfolds throughout the plot, all of which is believable and relatable. I got immediately sucked into the storyline and absolutely had to find out how the story was going to end. Heartbreaking, heartwarming and thoroughly enjoyable – highly recommended.