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Pineville Trace
An "introspective, haunting tale that remains with us" (Heavy Feather Review) about a former revival preacher who walks away from an Eastern Kentucky prison in the 1970s, following a cat named Buffalo and trying to reconcile himself with his past.
“A man escapes from prison only to find he can’t separate himself from his past. Wes Blake renders the tale with great empathy and in language that’s so lyrical it practically lifts from the page. Blake is a writer to watch." —Lee Martin, author of Pulitzer Prize Finalist The Bright Forever
Winner of the Etchings Press Novella Prize | Finalist for the Feathered Quill Book Award for Debut Author | Featured on Deep South Magazine's Reading List
“This was an utterly compelling read. Blake’s prose is sparse and simple, whose short, almost broken, sentences sing with enormous power.” —SmokeLong Quarterly
"Blake’s writing provides a contemporary case-study on artful, effective minimalism. The effect is an introspective, haunting tale that remains with us." —Heavy Feather Review
After Frank escapes from a prison in Kentucky, his journey to find meaning in the absence of his former life as a charismatic traveling preacher leads him all up and down the US and Canada, delving into his own memories and questions of faith, family, self, and stories—and where those stories lead us. Taking only a cat named Buffalo and a desire to outrun his former life, he journeys to the fringes of society. As he struggles to survive, Frank confronts his past, seeking redemption amidst the wilderness. As Frank traverses the shadowy edges of society, he encounters remnants of his former self, forcing him to confront his deepest regrets and desires. Blake’s haunting prose captures the essence of a man on the brink of transformation, urging readers to ponder the thin line between redemption and damnation.
“A man escapes from prison only to find he can’t separate himself from his past. Wes Blake renders the tale with great empathy and in language that’s so lyrical it practically lifts from the page. Blake is a writer to watch." —Lee Martin, author of Pulitzer Prize Finalist The Bright Forever
Winner of the Etchings Press Novella Prize | Finalist for the Feathered Quill Book Award for Debut Author | Featured on Deep South Magazine's Reading List
“This was an utterly compelling read. Blake’s prose is sparse and simple, whose short, almost broken, sentences sing with enormous power.” —SmokeLong Quarterly
"Blake’s writing provides a contemporary case-study on artful, effective minimalism. The effect is an introspective, haunting tale that remains with us." —Heavy Feather Review
After Frank escapes from a prison in Kentucky, his journey to find meaning in the absence of his former life as a charismatic traveling preacher leads him all up and down the US and Canada, delving into his own memories and questions of faith, family, self, and stories—and where those stories lead us. Taking only a cat named Buffalo and a desire to outrun his former life, he journeys to the fringes of society. As he struggles to survive, Frank confronts his past, seeking redemption amidst the wilderness. As Frank traverses the shadowy edges of society, he encounters remnants of his former self, forcing him to confront his deepest regrets and desires. Blake’s haunting prose captures the essence of a man on the brink of transformation, urging readers to ponder the thin line between redemption and damnation.
140 pages, Paperback
Published September 3, 2024
44 people are currently reading
7531 people want to read
About the author
Wes Blake
1 book57 followersWes Blake is the author of Pineville Trace--Publishers Weekly Booklife Editor's Pick, winner of the Etchings Press Novella Prize, finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award for First Novel, the Feathered Quill Book Award for Debut Author, and featured on Deep South Magazine’s Reading List--from Etchings Press, Univ. of Indianapolis. Pulitzer Prize Finalist author Lee Martin called him a “writer to watch." His work has appeared in Electric Literature, Los Angeles Review, storySouth, and Louisiana Literature Journal, among others, and he holds an MFA from the Bluegrass Writers Studio. Wes lives in Nonesuch, Kentucky with his wife and cats, where they’ve planted over 100 trees. Learn more at wesblake.com and Instagram (@wesblake_).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
October 23, 2024
Sometimes I just don’t “get” a book. Was this pretentious? The random self-reflective chapter from the author’s POV sure felt like it. But, maybe it just isn’t my style, and I do try to be cognizant of that. Anyway…
Pineville Trace is a contemplative, atmospheric “novella-in-flash” that focuses on Frank Russet’s internal journey for redemption after escaping from prison for fraud. I most enjoyed experiencing Frank’s bond with nature and his cat, Buffalo, as he travel to find a quiet place to settle himself. Generally, the pacing is pretty slow (understandable I guess for an esacped convict that shouldn’t draw attention to himself) and the slightly disjointed chapters hindered my attention to the story as a whole. While I couldn’t connect much to Frank’s journey, I think there is certainly an audience for this book and others like it.
oh, and specifically for the audiobook version, please no more music to close out each chapter, i dont know what that was trying to do, but it didnt do it
Thanks to Netgalley, Mindbuck Media Audio, Wes Blake, and Michael Mau for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Pineville Trace is a contemplative, atmospheric “novella-in-flash” that focuses on Frank Russet’s internal journey for redemption after escaping from prison for fraud. I most enjoyed experiencing Frank’s bond with nature and his cat, Buffalo, as he travel to find a quiet place to settle himself. Generally, the pacing is pretty slow (understandable I guess for an esacped convict that shouldn’t draw attention to himself) and the slightly disjointed chapters hindered my attention to the story as a whole. While I couldn’t connect much to Frank’s journey, I think there is certainly an audience for this book and others like it.
oh, and specifically for the audiobook version, please no more music to close out each chapter, i dont know what that was trying to do, but it didnt do it
Thanks to Netgalley, Mindbuck Media Audio, Wes Blake, and Michael Mau for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up. Pineville Trace by Wes Blake was a very short audiobook that was portrayed beautifully through Michael Mau’s narration. I enjoyed the unique musical guitar accompaniment between chapters. It proved to be a calming addition that separated the chapters and added to the ambiance of the story. There were two main characters, Frank, an escaped prisoner and his cat, Buffalo. Frank had escaped from a low security prison and was trying to get to Canada. He had a vision in his mind of the cabin he was destined to find and live in. Along the way, Frank and Buffalo adopted each other. There friendship and reliance upon each other was touching. Wes Blake did a wonderful job of describing the terrain and landscape Frank and Buffalo journeyed through on their way to find the cabin they were meant to find. Unfortunately, Frank never truly experienced the freedom he hoped to find. He was always looking over his shoulder and felt compelled to keep hidden in case of discovery.
I felt that Pineville Trace was a little slow at times. In my opinion, the first part of the book was much better than the second part. The best part for me was the relationship that developed between Frank and Buffalo. It was a sweet addition. If you are seeking a book that explores human nature and the opportunities life presents then I recommend Pineville Trace by Wes Blake.
Thank you to Mindbuck Media Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Pineville Trace by Wes Blake through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
I felt that Pineville Trace was a little slow at times. In my opinion, the first part of the book was much better than the second part. The best part for me was the relationship that developed between Frank and Buffalo. It was a sweet addition. If you are seeking a book that explores human nature and the opportunities life presents then I recommend Pineville Trace by Wes Blake.
Thank you to Mindbuck Media Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Pineville Trace by Wes Blake through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
August 11, 2024
3.5/4
I listened to the audio version of this short novel which was beautifully read by Michael Mau. I also enjoyed the short musical interludes between chapters. It was certainly a very soothing book to listen to.
I enjoyed the first part of the book which described Frank's escape from a low security prison and his journey through the US to Canada with Buffalo, the cat. Frank was a conman who worked as a healer with his brother. His escape from the open prison seemed to pass with little fuss and he makes his way up to a cabin where he and Buffalo live a quiet life.
It was the second part of the book describing Frank's return journey south to see his family that I found a little disjointed. For me it certainly didn't flow as well as the first half but it was still a beautifully written piece of lyrical prose.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Mindbuck Media Audio for the audio advance review copy.
I listened to the audio version of this short novel which was beautifully read by Michael Mau. I also enjoyed the short musical interludes between chapters. It was certainly a very soothing book to listen to.
I enjoyed the first part of the book which described Frank's escape from a low security prison and his journey through the US to Canada with Buffalo, the cat. Frank was a conman who worked as a healer with his brother. His escape from the open prison seemed to pass with little fuss and he makes his way up to a cabin where he and Buffalo live a quiet life.
It was the second part of the book describing Frank's return journey south to see his family that I found a little disjointed. For me it certainly didn't flow as well as the first half but it was still a beautifully written piece of lyrical prose.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Mindbuck Media Audio for the audio advance review copy.
August 10, 2024
Thank you to the author Wes Blake, publishers Mindbuck Media Audio, and NetGalley for an advance audio copy of PINEVILLE TRACE. Read by Michael Mau. All views are mine.
I always tell the same story, over and over.
I really enjoy both flash fiction and experimental forms in novels, so when I read about this offering in Netgalley, I really had to jump at it. I was rewarded with a thoroughly entertaining read. I will be honest and say the plot gives way somewhat to the form, but I love the end. I think it circles around and connects everything meaningfully, if not pristinely.
I enjoyed Michael Mau's reading of the audiobook. His voice calmly dispenses what can sometimes be surreal and abstract material. He makes it easy to calmly ride the waves of the story into the next amber waves of Americanah from a very weird perspective.
The cat is my favorite, and not just because I am a super-fulfilled old cat lady. It's a cat named Buffalo in a story about memory, history, and what gets taken from us.
Pineville Trace is a thoughtful, challenging little book that I definitely recommend to fans of Twin Peaks, experimental form, flash fiction, and surrealism. I do recommend the audiobook, as it was the perfect mode for this piece.
In the end, everyone was left alone with their own soul.
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. I love flash and novels, so I'm very interested to read "a novel in flash!" Experimental forms are so fun!
2. I adore the acoustic guitar in between each story. I usually don't even notice this sort of thing in audiobooks, but it really works here.
3. Some interesting blending of genre here, and some truly excellent metafiction. "I always tell the same story, over and over. It's a story about getting what you want, and a story about not getting what you want. It's the only story I know."
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. This really is a convoluted story, but the way it unspools is interesting!
2. Honestly, I can't concentrate on this book. I keep getting sidetracked. Because the timeline is completely nonlinear, I keep having to backtrack. Nonlinear time means anything could have happened!
3. The story can get quite convoluted, due to the form.
Rating: 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛ Buffalo
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Aug 7 '24
Format: Audio arc, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🪶 literary fiction
👨👩👧👦 family stories
🧑🏻🤝🧑🏻 stories about best friendship
🪢 experimental form
🤡 surrealism
A sentence or two about the stories:
1. "Pineville State" Blake describes well, both in figurative language and literal, the feeling of being outside looking in.
2. "Pine Mountain Pass" I love the addition of the cat to this story.
3. "KY190" some interesting blending of genre here, and some truly excellent metafiction. "I always tell the same story, over and over. It's a story about getting what you want, and a story about not getting what you want. It's the only story I know."
4. "Escape" We all have a twin. Foreshadowing in a story that moves mostly backwards? This line works wonderfully.
6. "Sales Pitch" Frank said, "See, at my old job, I'd sell people something that would make them feel better. Take away the grave digger feeling. Except my own grave digger feeling never went away. Only got worse the more I helped other people." "Maybe that's 'cause you wasn't really helping them." "You understand."
7. "North" "The old go north." Omg this poor cat's kidneys! Also, I love cat protagonists.
8. "MagicCity" In the end, everyone was left alone with their own soul.... Even you. Fantastic fourth wall breakage! Or is it?
9. "Non Magic" He found a way... to work that was more disconnected from people.... in the hope he wouldn’t feel so bad about the distances he couldn't close, the distances that had stretched out within himself, the distances that had stretched out between himself and the world....
10. "Wilderness" He looked into her brown eyes. It felt dangerous. Like looking into the sun during an eclipse.
11. "Rest" Frank tries to learn how to rest, and convince himself he deserves it.
12. "Motion" That's the problem with visions. They kept you disconnected from what was really in the world. They kept you searching for an ideal. Always searching for something that was like something else– like something in your mind.
13. "Escape Artist" A bit about how everything is better with family. ...Frank's dad always talked about how Houdini never was as good alone as he was that summer with his brother...
16. "Winter" He was tired, tired of always purring on a show.
17. "Nighttime" He told Buffalo about brothers, about Cain and Abel. A flash about grace, freedom, and growth. The mmc and the cat, Buffalo, have a meaningful friendship.
21. "SPRING" I really love the saga of Buffalo!
22. "Thaw" The metaphors are a little heavy-handed here, but anything for Buffalo lol!
29. "Life in Reverse" [...To] bring back to life– That's what he and his brother Henry had done for people... and now they give people 'equipment for living' without ever bothering to bring them back to life to begin with.
30. "You've Killed Your Brother" Frank's body lay asleep, unmoving.... I love how this section opens. The brother is immediately identified as dead. Then the narrator conflates the two brothers, so it isn't clear who is dead. But if a man did kill his brother, might not part of him die as well?
33. "Southwest" People were being brought back to life by other methods, Frank supposed, if they were being brought back to life at all.
34. "Ciudad Juarez" He realized he had forgotten to eat. He'd have to remember tomorrow. When a man has heartache to tend to, he does tend to forget to care for himself.
36. "THE VOICE OF Blood" I love Buffalo's role in this section.
38. "December" I love the shape of this story. Excellent experiment with form.
I always tell the same story, over and over.
I really enjoy both flash fiction and experimental forms in novels, so when I read about this offering in Netgalley, I really had to jump at it. I was rewarded with a thoroughly entertaining read. I will be honest and say the plot gives way somewhat to the form, but I love the end. I think it circles around and connects everything meaningfully, if not pristinely.
I enjoyed Michael Mau's reading of the audiobook. His voice calmly dispenses what can sometimes be surreal and abstract material. He makes it easy to calmly ride the waves of the story into the next amber waves of Americanah from a very weird perspective.
The cat is my favorite, and not just because I am a super-fulfilled old cat lady. It's a cat named Buffalo in a story about memory, history, and what gets taken from us.
Pineville Trace is a thoughtful, challenging little book that I definitely recommend to fans of Twin Peaks, experimental form, flash fiction, and surrealism. I do recommend the audiobook, as it was the perfect mode for this piece.
In the end, everyone was left alone with their own soul.
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. I love flash and novels, so I'm very interested to read "a novel in flash!" Experimental forms are so fun!
2. I adore the acoustic guitar in between each story. I usually don't even notice this sort of thing in audiobooks, but it really works here.
3. Some interesting blending of genre here, and some truly excellent metafiction. "I always tell the same story, over and over. It's a story about getting what you want, and a story about not getting what you want. It's the only story I know."
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. This really is a convoluted story, but the way it unspools is interesting!
2. Honestly, I can't concentrate on this book. I keep getting sidetracked. Because the timeline is completely nonlinear, I keep having to backtrack. Nonlinear time means anything could have happened!
3. The story can get quite convoluted, due to the form.
Rating: 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛ Buffalo
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Aug 7 '24
Format: Audio arc, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🪶 literary fiction
👨👩👧👦 family stories
🧑🏻🤝🧑🏻 stories about best friendship
🪢 experimental form
🤡 surrealism
A sentence or two about the stories:
1. "Pineville State" Blake describes well, both in figurative language and literal, the feeling of being outside looking in.
2. "Pine Mountain Pass" I love the addition of the cat to this story.
3. "KY190" some interesting blending of genre here, and some truly excellent metafiction. "I always tell the same story, over and over. It's a story about getting what you want, and a story about not getting what you want. It's the only story I know."
4. "Escape" We all have a twin. Foreshadowing in a story that moves mostly backwards? This line works wonderfully.
6. "Sales Pitch" Frank said, "See, at my old job, I'd sell people something that would make them feel better. Take away the grave digger feeling. Except my own grave digger feeling never went away. Only got worse the more I helped other people." "Maybe that's 'cause you wasn't really helping them." "You understand."
7. "North" "The old go north." Omg this poor cat's kidneys! Also, I love cat protagonists.
8. "MagicCity" In the end, everyone was left alone with their own soul.... Even you. Fantastic fourth wall breakage! Or is it?
9. "Non Magic" He found a way... to work that was more disconnected from people.... in the hope he wouldn’t feel so bad about the distances he couldn't close, the distances that had stretched out within himself, the distances that had stretched out between himself and the world....
10. "Wilderness" He looked into her brown eyes. It felt dangerous. Like looking into the sun during an eclipse.
11. "Rest" Frank tries to learn how to rest, and convince himself he deserves it.
12. "Motion" That's the problem with visions. They kept you disconnected from what was really in the world. They kept you searching for an ideal. Always searching for something that was like something else– like something in your mind.
13. "Escape Artist" A bit about how everything is better with family. ...Frank's dad always talked about how Houdini never was as good alone as he was that summer with his brother...
16. "Winter" He was tired, tired of always purring on a show.
17. "Nighttime" He told Buffalo about brothers, about Cain and Abel. A flash about grace, freedom, and growth. The mmc and the cat, Buffalo, have a meaningful friendship.
21. "SPRING" I really love the saga of Buffalo!
22. "Thaw" The metaphors are a little heavy-handed here, but anything for Buffalo lol!
29. "Life in Reverse" [...To] bring back to life– That's what he and his brother Henry had done for people... and now they give people 'equipment for living' without ever bothering to bring them back to life to begin with.
30. "You've Killed Your Brother" Frank's body lay asleep, unmoving.... I love how this section opens. The brother is immediately identified as dead. Then the narrator conflates the two brothers, so it isn't clear who is dead. But if a man did kill his brother, might not part of him die as well?
33. "Southwest" People were being brought back to life by other methods, Frank supposed, if they were being brought back to life at all.
34. "Ciudad Juarez" He realized he had forgotten to eat. He'd have to remember tomorrow. When a man has heartache to tend to, he does tend to forget to care for himself.
36. "THE VOICE OF Blood" I love Buffalo's role in this section.
38. "December" I love the shape of this story. Excellent experiment with form.
August 8, 2024
3.5
this was a quick, fun read. very atmospheric writing, compelling premise, and a cat named buffalo. what's not to love?? i'm easy to please.
thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for a honest review
this was a quick, fun read. very atmospheric writing, compelling premise, and a cat named buffalo. what's not to love?? i'm easy to please.
thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for a honest review
August 20, 2024
An Access Now short story from NetGalley audio. I liked the cover. Very contemplative, quiet, and easy on the ears. I was hoping something would happen to pick up the pace, but it just sort of chugged along. Between each chapter was a soothing little ditty on guitar, which I'm still finding myself humming.
Frank made the mistake of escaping from prison, into a world where he forces himself into his own prison since he is constantly fearing he might get caught and has to stay on the move or hidden.
The cat named Buffalo was the best thing that happened to him, and to the reader. 😺
Frank made the mistake of escaping from prison, into a world where he forces himself into his own prison since he is constantly fearing he might get caught and has to stay on the move or hidden.
The cat named Buffalo was the best thing that happened to him, and to the reader. 😺
October 14, 2024
Thank you Mindbuck Media Audio for allowing me to read and review Pineville Trace by Wes Blake on NetGalley.
Narrator: Michael Mau
Published: 09/03/24
Stars: 4.5
Cleverly written and smart. I had to stay focused on the story. I actually sat down and thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Early on I was frustrated, I knew this was a novella (less than 100 pages) at 15% I couldn't see a story developing. I put the book aside for a couple days and started over: fresh mug of coffee, rested, and Swedish Fish. After rereading the synopsis I started over. Again, I was perplexed until I wasn't and then it was over.
This is the trifecta: Writing a uniquely different story, musical chime at each chapter, and a fantastic narrator -- it's a production.
Essentially when it was over, I was left with wondering how would I reconcile my past if I were left alone with only my thoughts. Was that Blake's point? I don't know, it's what I took from his writing. My only disappointment was not locating any other works by the author.
I do recommend for mature readers.
Narrator: Michael Mau
Published: 09/03/24
Stars: 4.5
Cleverly written and smart. I had to stay focused on the story. I actually sat down and thoroughly enjoyed the show.
Early on I was frustrated, I knew this was a novella (less than 100 pages) at 15% I couldn't see a story developing. I put the book aside for a couple days and started over: fresh mug of coffee, rested, and Swedish Fish. After rereading the synopsis I started over. Again, I was perplexed until I wasn't and then it was over.
This is the trifecta: Writing a uniquely different story, musical chime at each chapter, and a fantastic narrator -- it's a production.
Essentially when it was over, I was left with wondering how would I reconcile my past if I were left alone with only my thoughts. Was that Blake's point? I don't know, it's what I took from his writing. My only disappointment was not locating any other works by the author.
I do recommend for mature readers.
August 14, 2024
Frank has escaped from a minimum security prison. In this contemplative journey that follows Frank from town to town, more characters are introduced. Every person on the run needs a companion and Buffalo (a cat) fills in. Buffalo is a great addition as Frank remembers his youth, his relationship with his father, and his current situation .
It's an interesting narrative that feels meandering, but it circles back en point. The narrator, Michael Mau, was excellent and captured the mood of Franks journey. Thank you NetGalley and Mindbuck Media Audio for an early copy.
It's an interesting narrative that feels meandering, but it circles back en point. The narrator, Michael Mau, was excellent and captured the mood of Franks journey. Thank you NetGalley and Mindbuck Media Audio for an early copy.
May 29, 2024
Not my usual kind of read but I enjoyed it, if that's even the right word. The first 20% were a bit confusing, I had to get used to the voice and story, but after that this was a pretty smooth, quick read. The relationship between Buffalo and Frank was my favorite part (I'm biased; I love cats).
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
February 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pineville Trace
Or
Frank, The Missing Years
Wes Blake
Etchings Press
Frank before prison and Frank after prison are very different. Before he was an evangelist. A man bringing the word of God and salvation to the lost. Always trying to follow a script, be more places, find more people. So much was expected of him. Interestingly enough, Frank was the one who was lost. Prison did more than teach him a lesson. It freed him from his past.
After Frank and Buffalo walk away from a minimum security prison in Eastern Kentucky, Frank realizes that he has no script, no plans and no one but Buffalo to depend on him. (To be honest I’m pretty sure Frank depended more on Buffalo than the other way around)
This story is so beautiful and sad and wonderful and heartbreaking all at the same time. As Frank tries to out run the ghosts of his past and tries to find himself and his purpose it feels as if all he wants is to be home. It’s about growth and the daily battle between spiritual and worldly struggles.
“You can only be yourself. And good or bad doesn’t matter. There’s only being loved and being remembered. Or being unloved and being forgotten.”
Read this. Let it sink in. You won’t regret it.
Pineville Trace
Or
Frank, The Missing Years
Wes Blake
Etchings Press
Frank before prison and Frank after prison are very different. Before he was an evangelist. A man bringing the word of God and salvation to the lost. Always trying to follow a script, be more places, find more people. So much was expected of him. Interestingly enough, Frank was the one who was lost. Prison did more than teach him a lesson. It freed him from his past.
After Frank and Buffalo walk away from a minimum security prison in Eastern Kentucky, Frank realizes that he has no script, no plans and no one but Buffalo to depend on him. (To be honest I’m pretty sure Frank depended more on Buffalo than the other way around)
This story is so beautiful and sad and wonderful and heartbreaking all at the same time. As Frank tries to out run the ghosts of his past and tries to find himself and his purpose it feels as if all he wants is to be home. It’s about growth and the daily battle between spiritual and worldly struggles.
“You can only be yourself. And good or bad doesn’t matter. There’s only being loved and being remembered. Or being unloved and being forgotten.”
Read this. Let it sink in. You won’t regret it.
October 2, 2024
TW/CW: smoking, anxiety
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
After being sentenced to a minimum-security prison in eastern Kentucky, former southern revival preacher and confidence man, Frank Russet, escapes. Taking only a cat named Buffalo and a desire to outrun his former life, he journeys to the fringes of society. As he struggles to survive, Frank confronts his past, seeking redemption amidst the wilderness. As Frank traverses the shadowy edges of society, he encounters remnants of his former self, forcing him to confront his deepest regrets and desires. Blake’s haunting prose captures the essence of a man on the brink of transformation, urging readers to ponder the thin line between redemption and damnation.
Release Date: September 3rd, 2024
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 140
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Audiobook has added sounds and music
2. Loved the cat; Buffalo
What I Didn't Like:
1. Very monotone
2. Just mid
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
The relationship between buffalo and Frank. It's quite adorable the way he doubts on the cat and the way the cat follows him around places.
Okay Frank we get it you love the cat why do we have to be reminded every 3 seconds??
Final Thoughts:
No offense to the author of this book and I'm super grateful that I was given an arc of it, but it's pretty boring. Countless chapters about Frank talking about what he fed Buffalo and what they've done for the day.
I ended up dnfing it at 66% because I really felt like we were going nowhere and we had actually come from nowhere. I wish something more would have happened but it just seemed very monotone. I kept continuing on because I thought maybe something would happen sadly nothing does.
At first I loved the music that would change between chapters but progressively as we continued on with the shorter chapters it kind of got on my nerves and gave me a headache. I appreciate adding music to audiobooks but having this long banjo between every chapter became too much. Maybe this would work if you had a full novel, but with such a short novella it becomes a lot since the chapters are much shorter.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced copy of the audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
After being sentenced to a minimum-security prison in eastern Kentucky, former southern revival preacher and confidence man, Frank Russet, escapes. Taking only a cat named Buffalo and a desire to outrun his former life, he journeys to the fringes of society. As he struggles to survive, Frank confronts his past, seeking redemption amidst the wilderness. As Frank traverses the shadowy edges of society, he encounters remnants of his former self, forcing him to confront his deepest regrets and desires. Blake’s haunting prose captures the essence of a man on the brink of transformation, urging readers to ponder the thin line between redemption and damnation.
Release Date: September 3rd, 2024
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 140
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Audiobook has added sounds and music
2. Loved the cat; Buffalo
What I Didn't Like:
1. Very monotone
2. Just mid
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
The relationship between buffalo and Frank. It's quite adorable the way he doubts on the cat and the way the cat follows him around places.
Okay Frank we get it you love the cat why do we have to be reminded every 3 seconds??
Final Thoughts:
No offense to the author of this book and I'm super grateful that I was given an arc of it, but it's pretty boring. Countless chapters about Frank talking about what he fed Buffalo and what they've done for the day.
I ended up dnfing it at 66% because I really felt like we were going nowhere and we had actually come from nowhere. I wish something more would have happened but it just seemed very monotone. I kept continuing on because I thought maybe something would happen sadly nothing does.
At first I loved the music that would change between chapters but progressively as we continued on with the shorter chapters it kind of got on my nerves and gave me a headache. I appreciate adding music to audiobooks but having this long banjo between every chapter became too much. Maybe this would work if you had a full novel, but with such a short novella it becomes a lot since the chapters are much shorter.
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Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced copy of the audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 30, 2024
2.5 It’s been a while since it’s taken me this long to finish a book this short. When I initially saw the description and cover of "Pineville Trace," I was looking forward to a cool and exciting prison break story with an escape adventure into the wilderness, a buddy cat comedy, and freedom through nature. I figured I’d be guaranteed insights into our character’s past that would have me on the my edge of my seat while haunted by the past and the fear of being caught in the present. I hoped for an energetic, partially comical book that provided depth and emotion. Unfortunately, every time the book started to deliver, it dulled out!
The best part of this book was the bond between the main character, Frank Russet, and his cat, Buffalo, as well as the connection between Frank and nature. Blake beautifully captures the escape of the outdoors and the freedom and insight one can find in solitude. Though I felt there was much to be desired about the actual escape. One could potentially say he was more afraid of being discovered by his truths than being discovered by the authorities. However, the story felt slow, likely due to the lack of human interaction. For someone on the run, Frank seemed to lack urgency for much of the book. And all of this because of a fraud charge?
It took a while to grasp what was happening and to understand the author’s voice through Frank. With little interaction outside of his bond with Buffalo, the story relied heavily on Frank’s internal monologue, which didn’t always engage me. Ironically, the cat’s persona will probably be the most enjoyable aspect for many readers.
The book had potential with its back-and-forth narrative between past and present, exploring Frank’s past, his choices, and the southern church revival scene's fraud and scheming. However, this potential wasn’t fully realized for me. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been longer, told in chronological order, and delved even deeper into his fall from preaching, his familial relationships, and his time in jail before breaking out. In its current state, by the end, I didn’t care what happened to Frank and some information felt rushed. Nonetheless, I can see other readers enjoying this as a quick read to pass the time.
Thank you Netgalley & Mindbuck Media for access to this ARC
The best part of this book was the bond between the main character, Frank Russet, and his cat, Buffalo, as well as the connection between Frank and nature. Blake beautifully captures the escape of the outdoors and the freedom and insight one can find in solitude. Though I felt there was much to be desired about the actual escape. One could potentially say he was more afraid of being discovered by his truths than being discovered by the authorities. However, the story felt slow, likely due to the lack of human interaction. For someone on the run, Frank seemed to lack urgency for much of the book. And all of this because of a fraud charge?
It took a while to grasp what was happening and to understand the author’s voice through Frank. With little interaction outside of his bond with Buffalo, the story relied heavily on Frank’s internal monologue, which didn’t always engage me. Ironically, the cat’s persona will probably be the most enjoyable aspect for many readers.
The book had potential with its back-and-forth narrative between past and present, exploring Frank’s past, his choices, and the southern church revival scene's fraud and scheming. However, this potential wasn’t fully realized for me. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been longer, told in chronological order, and delved even deeper into his fall from preaching, his familial relationships, and his time in jail before breaking out. In its current state, by the end, I didn’t care what happened to Frank and some information felt rushed. Nonetheless, I can see other readers enjoying this as a quick read to pass the time.
Thank you Netgalley & Mindbuck Media for access to this ARC
January 25, 2025
Pineville Trace is a short novella written in flash-fiction style. If I had to describe this book in one word it would be "strange." There is a layer of unease that overlays the whole story. In some ways I found the atmosphere of the book vaguely reminiscent of Twin Peaks, even though the plot of Pineville Trace is in no way similar to the plot of Twin Peaks. The highlight of this book was the main character's relationship with his cat, Buffalo. If you like books that are plot-heavy, this book is not for you. This is a meandering, reflective book that prompts the reader to reflect on their own life experiences and emotions. I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook because Michael Mau's narration is the best way to absorb this story. He helps bring Frank to life and made me feel more connected to the story than I think I would have if I read the physical book. Additionally, I LOVE the cover of this book, which definitely played a role in my decision to request a copy of this book.
*Thank you to Net Galley for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
*Thank you to Net Galley for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
August 12, 2024
Beautifully written and quietly poignant. Following Frank as he reflects on his past, both fondly and with regret, evoked a strange sense of nostalgia. He was so human, so distant but relatable. I felt for him and disliked him and resonated with him all at once. There isn’t really a plot to summarize here, Pineville Trace progresses much like Frank does- always moving, always forward, but distinctly caught in the past. As Frank himself muses, he is a pillar of salt, always looking back.
While Frank was very enjoyable to read, nothing compares to my love of his cat companion, Buffalo. Their relationship truly shined and set the tone for the entire story.
I would absolutely recommend this to readers looking for a thoughtful, speculative book about accepting your past, and to anyone who daydreams about escaping into the woods and leaving their life behind (with the exception of their cat, of course).
At the end everyone was left alone with their own soul. Even Frank. Even you.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While Frank was very enjoyable to read, nothing compares to my love of his cat companion, Buffalo. Their relationship truly shined and set the tone for the entire story.
I would absolutely recommend this to readers looking for a thoughtful, speculative book about accepting your past, and to anyone who daydreams about escaping into the woods and leaving their life behind (with the exception of their cat, of course).
At the end everyone was left alone with their own soul. Even Frank. Even you.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2024
This was one of the strangest yet most boring reads I’ve ever read.. Or rather, listened to.. I found myself wondering what was the point of this story more than once. I felt almost as if I opened a random book and decided to read just the middle of it, like I was missing information or something. Although the book was a bit boring, the narration was done well! The little music between chapters was a little strange, but it didn’t bother me at all.
September 3, 2024
I'm not used to reading novellas, so I thought this was a good opportunity to try reading one. The plot of the book sounded so intriguing to me that I decided to request this audiobook. And I must say that I did really enjoy the first part of the book a bit more than the rest of it. However, I didn't connect with the character or the narrator of this audiobook (and I personally didn't like the little musical interludes at the end of every chapter). Maybe this one wasn't for me.
September 6, 2025
this book is more than a companion bonding. a prisoner, a cat, and a life journey. makes you think about life. I was still thinking about this book a week later. so yea, 4.5
September 15, 2024
I’m grateful to netgalley and to Wes Blake, the author, for offering me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
“After being sentenced to a minimum-security prison in eastern Kentucky, former southern revival preacher and confidence man, Frank Russet, escapes. Taking only a cat named Buffalo and a desire to outrun his former life, he journeys to the fringes of society. As he struggles to survive, Frank confronts his past, seeking redemption amidst the wilderness.”
The novella’s description alone was enough of a draw to lure me in. I’m a huge fan of southern literary fiction, so I suppose my expectations for this book were quite high. I wanted to like it. I really did. But, there are times when we have to be honest with ourselves, and this one fell flat for me.
The character development was lackluster, and there weren’t enough moments of conflict early on to compel the reader to keep going. The phrasing was repetitive throughout—I tried to highlight instances of this, but each page kept filling up with marks—and it seemed that the author didn’t trust his descriptive ability at times. The pacing, particularly within the early pages, felt very rushed, as if he was on a deadline to complete the book. There were many missed opportunities to correct fundamental mistakes.
There were moments when Mr. Blake excelled at using an economy of words, but those efforts were erased by other instances of bloated description. It’s nice when an author enlists the help of the reader to perform the heavy lifting, to allow us to use our imaginations to fill in the blanks. I don’t need to know every single item of clothing that the protagonist is wearing. Here are a few examples:
“He wished he had his old suit: pressed black slacks, black suit coat, fine black silk socks, polished black shoes, a bright, starched white button-up shirt, and his silk black tie.”
“Between the murmur of the old Ford and the heat that unfroze his hands, feet, ears, and nose, Frank felt he could easily drift into sleep.”
And then on the very next page…
“Frank’s body thawed. Slowly. First the outer parts, the extremities—fingers, hands, toes, nose, ears—until his chest and head felt warm like he’d drunk hot coffee.”
While this reads like a freshman attempt, I do believe that the author has the workings of someone to watch. There were no grammatical distractions, and again, moments of true clarity and genius. My gut tells me that the book was rushed, or that revisions didn’t occur.
“After being sentenced to a minimum-security prison in eastern Kentucky, former southern revival preacher and confidence man, Frank Russet, escapes. Taking only a cat named Buffalo and a desire to outrun his former life, he journeys to the fringes of society. As he struggles to survive, Frank confronts his past, seeking redemption amidst the wilderness.”
The novella’s description alone was enough of a draw to lure me in. I’m a huge fan of southern literary fiction, so I suppose my expectations for this book were quite high. I wanted to like it. I really did. But, there are times when we have to be honest with ourselves, and this one fell flat for me.
The character development was lackluster, and there weren’t enough moments of conflict early on to compel the reader to keep going. The phrasing was repetitive throughout—I tried to highlight instances of this, but each page kept filling up with marks—and it seemed that the author didn’t trust his descriptive ability at times. The pacing, particularly within the early pages, felt very rushed, as if he was on a deadline to complete the book. There were many missed opportunities to correct fundamental mistakes.
There were moments when Mr. Blake excelled at using an economy of words, but those efforts were erased by other instances of bloated description. It’s nice when an author enlists the help of the reader to perform the heavy lifting, to allow us to use our imaginations to fill in the blanks. I don’t need to know every single item of clothing that the protagonist is wearing. Here are a few examples:
“He wished he had his old suit: pressed black slacks, black suit coat, fine black silk socks, polished black shoes, a bright, starched white button-up shirt, and his silk black tie.”
“Between the murmur of the old Ford and the heat that unfroze his hands, feet, ears, and nose, Frank felt he could easily drift into sleep.”
And then on the very next page…
“Frank’s body thawed. Slowly. First the outer parts, the extremities—fingers, hands, toes, nose, ears—until his chest and head felt warm like he’d drunk hot coffee.”
While this reads like a freshman attempt, I do believe that the author has the workings of someone to watch. There were no grammatical distractions, and again, moments of true clarity and genius. My gut tells me that the book was rushed, or that revisions didn’t occur.
July 29, 2024
Novel Concept: 5/5
Execution of Novel Concept: 2/5
Title: 3/5
Characterization: 5/5
Dialogue: 1/5
Plot: 3/5
Atmosphere: 5/5
Theme: 4/5
Prose: 3/5
Does this pass the Bechdel Test: No
Title
Pineville I understand. The author is obsessed with the word pine. Trace? Lost on me. I didn't really understand this title or how it truly connected with the world itself.
Characterization
I am willing to give that the characterization is probably deep and connecting for the right audience, but I personally was struggling to connect with the narrative and the main character himself.
Dialogue
You could turn this into a drinking game for every time the author used the word pine. The repetition of words feels like it's trying to be poetic but in my opinion it doesn't really work. It just feels like we're saying the same thing three times in a row.
Plot
The main character doesn't really struggle? He just walks out of a prison like no big deal? There's never a feeling of threat or tension. The book is meandering and the main character is meandering and for me personally, I just don't find that interesting. I need things to happen. I need things to go wrong.
Atmosphere
I think the book really captured the idea of derealization. The main character doesn't' feel like he's real--more that he's a person being piloted by himself. The energy around this book is the inevitability of solitude in exchange for escaping the consequences of your actions.
Theme
The book is about regret and the way it pushes and pulls people apart and together. I think.
Prose
This book was hard to keep up with. I often found myself getting lost and just accepting that plot points had happened that I just missed. This book meanders and doesn't spend a lot of time on many key events, so it feels like a blink and you miss it kind of story.
Conclusion
I would not say this is a bad book--but I would say that I'm probably not the audience. I didn't connect with it in ways that others probably will.
Execution of Novel Concept: 2/5
Title: 3/5
Characterization: 5/5
Dialogue: 1/5
Plot: 3/5
Atmosphere: 5/5
Theme: 4/5
Prose: 3/5
Does this pass the Bechdel Test: No
Title
Pineville I understand. The author is obsessed with the word pine. Trace? Lost on me. I didn't really understand this title or how it truly connected with the world itself.
Characterization
I am willing to give that the characterization is probably deep and connecting for the right audience, but I personally was struggling to connect with the narrative and the main character himself.
Dialogue
You could turn this into a drinking game for every time the author used the word pine. The repetition of words feels like it's trying to be poetic but in my opinion it doesn't really work. It just feels like we're saying the same thing three times in a row.
Plot
The main character doesn't really struggle? He just walks out of a prison like no big deal? There's never a feeling of threat or tension. The book is meandering and the main character is meandering and for me personally, I just don't find that interesting. I need things to happen. I need things to go wrong.
Atmosphere
I think the book really captured the idea of derealization. The main character doesn't' feel like he's real--more that he's a person being piloted by himself. The energy around this book is the inevitability of solitude in exchange for escaping the consequences of your actions.
Theme
The book is about regret and the way it pushes and pulls people apart and together. I think.
Prose
This book was hard to keep up with. I often found myself getting lost and just accepting that plot points had happened that I just missed. This book meanders and doesn't spend a lot of time on many key events, so it feels like a blink and you miss it kind of story.
Conclusion
I would not say this is a bad book--but I would say that I'm probably not the audience. I didn't connect with it in ways that others probably will.
September 18, 2024
I waited a couple of days to write this review, because I needed some time to absorb what I just listened to. The audiobook format, music, and narrator were wonderful.
However once I started this, it felt more like a journaled journey. It took a little time to finally get into it, and once Buffalo was made a main character - I was in love with this cat!
I almost cried when a certain event happens (without giving it away) concerning Buffalo. The journey this conman went on, didn’t seem to start until after Buffalo led him to the cabin. For me, the journey started after the main character, Frank, left the cabin and really went on a spiritual journey.
What disappointed me was, I loved how he tried to find redemption on his spiritual journey, but it doesn’t make up for escaping prison. How can you be redeemed if your morals at the beginning of the story is escaping a prison? He did something not moralistic to try and find redemption? Just wait until your time is up, then find redemption. The novella would have been so much better if he was let out when he was suppose to, because then you could feel more for the character.
Also the genre isn’t really noticeable. Is this work of fiction following a true story but a work of fiction? Is this work of fiction a literary, contemporary, etc, fiction? I cannot figure out what genre it is and that is driving me crazy.
Also, the journey didn’t really pick up until toward the ending. And then it felt it ended abruptly and needed more depth and more time spent on those parts that made my heart feel for Frank.
If you want to listen to a journal type novella, that doesn’t really flow, but it does pull at your heartstrings, I would recommend this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Etchings Press for letting me review this novella!
However once I started this, it felt more like a journaled journey. It took a little time to finally get into it, and once Buffalo was made a main character - I was in love with this cat!
I almost cried when a certain event happens (without giving it away) concerning Buffalo. The journey this conman went on, didn’t seem to start until after Buffalo led him to the cabin. For me, the journey started after the main character, Frank, left the cabin and really went on a spiritual journey.
What disappointed me was, I loved how he tried to find redemption on his spiritual journey, but it doesn’t make up for escaping prison. How can you be redeemed if your morals at the beginning of the story is escaping a prison? He did something not moralistic to try and find redemption? Just wait until your time is up, then find redemption. The novella would have been so much better if he was let out when he was suppose to, because then you could feel more for the character.
Also the genre isn’t really noticeable. Is this work of fiction following a true story but a work of fiction? Is this work of fiction a literary, contemporary, etc, fiction? I cannot figure out what genre it is and that is driving me crazy.
Also, the journey didn’t really pick up until toward the ending. And then it felt it ended abruptly and needed more depth and more time spent on those parts that made my heart feel for Frank.
If you want to listen to a journal type novella, that doesn’t really flow, but it does pull at your heartstrings, I would recommend this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Etchings Press for letting me review this novella!
August 3, 2024
Pineville Trace was my first introduction to the novella in flash and I heartily enjoyed it. Pineville Trace follows Frank Russet after his escape from a minimum security prison as he reflects on his life before and works to survive in the present. For those who are also unfamiliar with the novella in flash, it is a short novel with chapters comprised of fewer than 1000 words and each chapter presents a piece of the story and may be somewhat disconnected from the previous. In Pineville Trace, this is beautifully done to be able to see glimpses throughout Frank's life without some of the dragging that may occur in a more traditional novel and by the end you really see the forest for the trees. To that end, I felt like I was kind of floating along with this book. I didn't really even understand the timing of the novel until near then end when Frank notices that it’s 1979 via a newspaper in one of the motels he finds himself in.
This was the truly most pleasant bait and switch where you think you’re going to hear some crazy escape story, but the escape is rather mundane, and instead, you get a tender story about a man and his cat, Buffalo. Their relationship was so wonderfully done and it made Frank into a more human character as he pondered about and cared for Buffalo.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator was outstanding. He brought all of the characters to life and brought so much depth into the performance of it. I also really loved the musical interludes between each chapter. It gave the novella a very homey feel and paired well with the novella in flash format.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Mindbuck Media Audio for the advanced copy.
This was the truly most pleasant bait and switch where you think you’re going to hear some crazy escape story, but the escape is rather mundane, and instead, you get a tender story about a man and his cat, Buffalo. Their relationship was so wonderfully done and it made Frank into a more human character as he pondered about and cared for Buffalo.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator was outstanding. He brought all of the characters to life and brought so much depth into the performance of it. I also really loved the musical interludes between each chapter. It gave the novella a very homey feel and paired well with the novella in flash format.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Mindbuck Media Audio for the advanced copy.
September 17, 2024
Publishing date: 03.09.3034
Thank you to Netgalley and Etchings Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
The book as a meal: Beef jerky and cold coffee
The book left me: Emotional and glad to be living a relatively stable life
Negatives:
Sentences were often repeated after each other but written slightly differently
Timeline was hard to follow (jumps back and forth between the past and now)
Main character felt pretentious
Positives:
I would give my life for Buffalo
Vibes were spectacular (I could smell the trees lowkey)
Emotional
Features:
Cat side character with major impact and arc, redemption and regrets, living both off and on the grid at the same time, starving and thriving
Why did I choose this one?
Cover is beautiful, blurb made me want to read
Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?
In-between. The three parts the book was split into had very draggy sections and very tense sections. I would say part two was the best and the most tense
What was the vibe and mood?
As weird as it sounds, this felt like walking outside close to easter. Just that border between spring and winter. Not knowing whether or not it will snow tomorrow. It felt like just barely scraping by, but being content with that life.
Final ranking and star rating?
2 stars, D tier. This was a very atmospheric and emotional book, but I just didn't vibe as much as I hoped. The religiousness, the pretentiousness of the character, and the writing style clashed a little with me. It has a lot of potential, and I think in general this will be a very polarizing book. Split between those who will love it to bits, and those like me who just ... didn't at all.
Sadly, a miss
Thank you to Netgalley and Etchings Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
The book as a meal: Beef jerky and cold coffee
The book left me: Emotional and glad to be living a relatively stable life
Negatives:
Sentences were often repeated after each other but written slightly differently
Timeline was hard to follow (jumps back and forth between the past and now)
Main character felt pretentious
Positives:
I would give my life for Buffalo
Vibes were spectacular (I could smell the trees lowkey)
Emotional
Features:
Cat side character with major impact and arc, redemption and regrets, living both off and on the grid at the same time, starving and thriving
Why did I choose this one?
Cover is beautiful, blurb made me want to read
Pick-up-able? Put-down-able?
In-between. The three parts the book was split into had very draggy sections and very tense sections. I would say part two was the best and the most tense
What was the vibe and mood?
As weird as it sounds, this felt like walking outside close to easter. Just that border between spring and winter. Not knowing whether or not it will snow tomorrow. It felt like just barely scraping by, but being content with that life.
Final ranking and star rating?
2 stars, D tier. This was a very atmospheric and emotional book, but I just didn't vibe as much as I hoped. The religiousness, the pretentiousness of the character, and the writing style clashed a little with me. It has a lot of potential, and I think in general this will be a very polarizing book. Split between those who will love it to bits, and those like me who just ... didn't at all.
Sadly, a miss
August 21, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for the audio review copy!
Pineville Trace follows Frank Russet and his cat, Buffalo who search for a cabin to live in after they escape prison. What they find is dull and uninteresting.
The only thing I can say for this book is that the writing on the sentence level is competent, if a little silly with nonsensical figurative language. The book almost comments on masculinity in an interesting way, but mostly it’s a very average journey book that overstays its welcome.
This novella feels less like a neatly composed piece told in bite-sized flash fiction chapters and more like something patched together from a daily writing journal. There isn’t much plot and the characters aren’t compelling. I like reading, so this wasn’t tortuously boring or anything, but the book doesn’t really give much to latch onto. Frank has some challenges on his quest to find this quaint cabin, but not enough and none that feel terribly consequential. I failed to feel that Frank was suffering in the wilderness when I was told he was.
The most disappointing thing about Pineville Trace is that it doesn’t match its own description. The reader didn’t learn what Frank is seeking redemption for until late in the book, and even then, it’s not clear what happened or how it impacts anything. That kills the redemption theme, in my opinion. A lot of symbolic meaning and Themes™️ are attempted but they just never come together.
I honestly can’t think of anyone who would get anything out of this book.
Pineville Trace follows Frank Russet and his cat, Buffalo who search for a cabin to live in after they escape prison. What they find is dull and uninteresting.
The only thing I can say for this book is that the writing on the sentence level is competent, if a little silly with nonsensical figurative language. The book almost comments on masculinity in an interesting way, but mostly it’s a very average journey book that overstays its welcome.
This novella feels less like a neatly composed piece told in bite-sized flash fiction chapters and more like something patched together from a daily writing journal. There isn’t much plot and the characters aren’t compelling. I like reading, so this wasn’t tortuously boring or anything, but the book doesn’t really give much to latch onto. Frank has some challenges on his quest to find this quaint cabin, but not enough and none that feel terribly consequential. I failed to feel that Frank was suffering in the wilderness when I was told he was.
The most disappointing thing about Pineville Trace is that it doesn’t match its own description. The reader didn’t learn what Frank is seeking redemption for until late in the book, and even then, it’s not clear what happened or how it impacts anything. That kills the redemption theme, in my opinion. A lot of symbolic meaning and Themes™️ are attempted but they just never come together.
I honestly can’t think of anyone who would get anything out of this book.
September 4, 2024
Part cross-country road trip, part fever dream, Pineville Trace follows Frank Russet, escaped convict, and his cat companion, Buffalo, as they travel by car and by foot around the country. The story itself meanders but generally focuses on the ghosts from Frank's past, namely his brother, Henry, and former lover, Lucinda.
I found this novella to be somber and atmospheric but it left me wondering what the point of it was. The writing kind of reminded me of Steinbeck, in a way—focusing on the scenery and setting. I would've loved to get more of the story of Frank's past working as a religious con-artist, but a novella only has so much time for that level of depth.
This quote sums up Frank's motivation for escaping from prison and alludes to his ultimate act in the book.
So much of his life had not been logical. He knew it wasn't logical to escape from a minimum-security prison. It was absurd. Foolish. A place you'd be release from in a short time anyway. And now, as a result, he could never return to regular life.
But now he understood why he had left...Because now he was free from himself. He never had to be himself again...A long time ago he had gotten tired of being himself...And now...they would lock him again if he became his old self. And he was glad.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found this novella to be somber and atmospheric but it left me wondering what the point of it was. The writing kind of reminded me of Steinbeck, in a way—focusing on the scenery and setting. I would've loved to get more of the story of Frank's past working as a religious con-artist, but a novella only has so much time for that level of depth.
This quote sums up Frank's motivation for escaping from prison and alludes to his ultimate act in the book.
So much of his life had not been logical. He knew it wasn't logical to escape from a minimum-security prison. It was absurd. Foolish. A place you'd be release from in a short time anyway. And now, as a result, he could never return to regular life.
But now he understood why he had left...Because now he was free from himself. He never had to be himself again...A long time ago he had gotten tired of being himself...And now...they would lock him again if he became his old self. And he was glad.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2024
Pineville Trace is a book you "feel" more than read. It seeps into you like a dream. That's about the best way I can describe it. I didn't connect with the narrator so I downloaded the book as well and read a bit of it before going back to the narrator - I was anxious to finish it and found that even though I didn't connect, the story was so enthralling that, in the end, I didn't care. I'll say this, though - I'll re-read it again myself.
The writing itself is beautiful - sparse and poetic. It's also not for everybody. Like I said, you feel the book more than anything else. It almost seems irrelevant to say that the main character, Frank, escapes from prison by following Buffalo, his cat. They are quite the duo. And off they go, wandering in the world, reflecting, finding solace in each other's company. Truth is, the solid action in this book isn't really the point. It's the unwinding of a life, looking back on what worked, what was honest, and what felt like a lie, all in a kind of ultra-focused, reflective, dream state. You're floating in this read.
I've read other reviews of this book and can honestly say I didn't get much of the back-and-forth between reality and dream, which is another reason I need to re-read it rather than listen to it. It requires a certain amount of concentration—or not—depending on what you take with you at the end. For me, the fact that I won't forget this book in a month is a big deal.
The writing itself is beautiful - sparse and poetic. It's also not for everybody. Like I said, you feel the book more than anything else. It almost seems irrelevant to say that the main character, Frank, escapes from prison by following Buffalo, his cat. They are quite the duo. And off they go, wandering in the world, reflecting, finding solace in each other's company. Truth is, the solid action in this book isn't really the point. It's the unwinding of a life, looking back on what worked, what was honest, and what felt like a lie, all in a kind of ultra-focused, reflective, dream state. You're floating in this read.
I've read other reviews of this book and can honestly say I didn't get much of the back-and-forth between reality and dream, which is another reason I need to re-read it rather than listen to it. It requires a certain amount of concentration—or not—depending on what you take with you at the end. For me, the fact that I won't forget this book in a month is a big deal.
August 26, 2024
Like many a reader I enjoy the great american roadtrip novel. Whilst it can be argued that that statement does not compleltely encompass the genre or contents of this novel it is the most accurate one i can think of.
Firstly, I really enjoyed the narration of this book, Michael Wau did an excellent job at keeping me at least slightly enthralled in this book. That accent!
However, he could not save this book from the overwhelming blunders of the author. This book is confusing. It is meandering, it feels as though even the author doesnt know what he wants to do with this, not in a suspenseful kind of way, in an aggravating sort. The blurb had me keen to read but I cant help but feel the author fell short. In this way, the plot felt non existence and in the absence of plot i want to be invested in the characters but even this was not executed. I do not know what the central theme of this book was and the frustrating part is that I really dont think the author did either. The redemption arc?? if that's what was happening was not accomplished! Of course this is all my own opinion, I was bored by this novel but that is because of my own tastes.
I did enjoy the various settings though!
I got this from netgalley so big thank you!
Firstly, I really enjoyed the narration of this book, Michael Wau did an excellent job at keeping me at least slightly enthralled in this book. That accent!
However, he could not save this book from the overwhelming blunders of the author. This book is confusing. It is meandering, it feels as though even the author doesnt know what he wants to do with this, not in a suspenseful kind of way, in an aggravating sort. The blurb had me keen to read but I cant help but feel the author fell short. In this way, the plot felt non existence and in the absence of plot i want to be invested in the characters but even this was not executed. I do not know what the central theme of this book was and the frustrating part is that I really dont think the author did either. The redemption arc?? if that's what was happening was not accomplished! Of course this is all my own opinion, I was bored by this novel but that is because of my own tastes.
I did enjoy the various settings though!
I got this from netgalley so big thank you!
September 1, 2024
3.5 / 5 stars
Pineville Trace is a contemplative novella which follows disgraced revival preacher Frank on his quest to first escape his past and then to finally confront it. The prose is evocative and the many settings along Frank's journey are well drawn. Frank's relationship with his feline companion is really quite moving.
There are two sections of the novella which I felt detracted from the reading experience: a meta-narrative chapter early on (a technique not re-visited later in the book) and a questionable depiction of the speech patterns of a Native American. The reader can skip both of these brief sections without losing any of the novella's impact.
The narration of the audiobook is well produced and the narrator is skilled at character voices. The use of music at the end of each chapter added to the immersive environment.
I recommend this book for anyone looking for a moody read to keep them company on a rainy day. You can probably finish it before your coffee gets cold.
Content warning for the death of a pet.
My thanks to NetGalley, Mindbuck Media Audio, and The University of Indianapolis/Etchings Press for the free advance audio and digital copies of this book. These opinions are my own.
Pineville Trace is a contemplative novella which follows disgraced revival preacher Frank on his quest to first escape his past and then to finally confront it. The prose is evocative and the many settings along Frank's journey are well drawn. Frank's relationship with his feline companion is really quite moving.
There are two sections of the novella which I felt detracted from the reading experience: a meta-narrative chapter early on (a technique not re-visited later in the book) and a questionable depiction of the speech patterns of a Native American. The reader can skip both of these brief sections without losing any of the novella's impact.
The narration of the audiobook is well produced and the narrator is skilled at character voices. The use of music at the end of each chapter added to the immersive environment.
I recommend this book for anyone looking for a moody read to keep them company on a rainy day. You can probably finish it before your coffee gets cold.
Content warning for the death of a pet.
My thanks to NetGalley, Mindbuck Media Audio, and The University of Indianapolis/Etchings Press for the free advance audio and digital copies of this book. These opinions are my own.
July 15, 2024
This was a very atmospheric little read.
This is a short novella that follows Frank, an escaped convict, as he travels across the country with his cat Buffalo. It is a mostly character and internally driven story, rather than plot driven.
I really liked the relationship between Frank and Buffalo. I am a cat lover through and through and think this was probably the most solid part for me.
The writing was quite nice- I felt as if the descriptions of nature and the places Frank was traveling through were very vivid and well written.
Unfortunately, I did not really feel like I connected much with the themes in this. it took me shockingly long to get through this novella despite it being quite short, mostly because I kept finding myself feeling uninterested. I could easily see how some people will really love this book, but I just don’t think it was for me. I would really still recommend giving it a shot though, as you might be someone it connects with!
3/5 stars for an atmospheric yet not particularly engaging novella.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review!
This is a short novella that follows Frank, an escaped convict, as he travels across the country with his cat Buffalo. It is a mostly character and internally driven story, rather than plot driven.
I really liked the relationship between Frank and Buffalo. I am a cat lover through and through and think this was probably the most solid part for me.
The writing was quite nice- I felt as if the descriptions of nature and the places Frank was traveling through were very vivid and well written.
Unfortunately, I did not really feel like I connected much with the themes in this. it took me shockingly long to get through this novella despite it being quite short, mostly because I kept finding myself feeling uninterested. I could easily see how some people will really love this book, but I just don’t think it was for me. I would really still recommend giving it a shot though, as you might be someone it connects with!
3/5 stars for an atmospheric yet not particularly engaging novella.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review!
September 3, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Pineville Trace is an award winning novella-in-flash by debut author, Wes Blake. It is a contemplative account of one Frank Russet, a dishonored charismatic revival preacher, who has just escaped from a minimum-security prison. We are invited along on his journey to a town he has only dreamt of, and never seen - Pineville. Accompanied by a wise cat named Buffalo, who also happens to be an uncanny guide, Frank makes his pilgrimage. All the while, we are privy to his innermost thoughts, reflections, regrets, longings and revelations. Frank may have escaped prison, but he can’t seem to escape his past.
I was completely drawn into this flash introspective purgatory and meditation on how the worldly and the spiritual collide. I found that nearly all of the solo pieces contributed to the entirety of the longer story. Nevertheless, I was here for all of Frank’s meditations. I highly recommend Pineville Trace to readers of flash or short literary fiction, or for those who relish quiet contemplative novellas. I look forward to seeing more from Wes Blake.
⚠️ a pet doesn’t make it to the end of the story
My thanks to the author Wes Blake, Etchings Press and NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Pineville Trace is an award winning novella-in-flash by debut author, Wes Blake. It is a contemplative account of one Frank Russet, a dishonored charismatic revival preacher, who has just escaped from a minimum-security prison. We are invited along on his journey to a town he has only dreamt of, and never seen - Pineville. Accompanied by a wise cat named Buffalo, who also happens to be an uncanny guide, Frank makes his pilgrimage. All the while, we are privy to his innermost thoughts, reflections, regrets, longings and revelations. Frank may have escaped prison, but he can’t seem to escape his past.
I was completely drawn into this flash introspective purgatory and meditation on how the worldly and the spiritual collide. I found that nearly all of the solo pieces contributed to the entirety of the longer story. Nevertheless, I was here for all of Frank’s meditations. I highly recommend Pineville Trace to readers of flash or short literary fiction, or for those who relish quiet contemplative novellas. I look forward to seeing more from Wes Blake.
⚠️ a pet doesn’t make it to the end of the story
My thanks to the author Wes Blake, Etchings Press and NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2024
My thanks to the publisher for providing this advanced reader copy through NetGalley.
“Pineville Trace” tells the story of an escapee prisoner through atmospheric travels through the wilderness and country, exploring past and present, while accompanied by his cat Buffalo.
I have to say, Buffalo was probably my favourite part about this novella. She felt like she had character and the interactions between her and main character, Frank, were really pleasant to read about. I think Frank could have been expanded upon a little bit, personally. It felt strange his motivations behind escaping prison weren’t really explained as much as they should have been.
On the point of prison, the juxtaposition between something as presumably tense as escaping versus the very slow journey Frank takes afterwards seems bizarre and unrealistic, though I think this is potentially purposeful by Wes Blake to emphasise Frank’s fear of his past instead.
Unfortunately though, the story was kind of boring, piquing my interest in some places but then losing it just as fast. I think going in to this you should know it is much more atmospheric and monologue based rather than containing any real action.
I listened to the audiobook version which was narrated well by Michael Mau, though it had strange musical interludes which really threw me off initially and continued to seem odd.
Overall, I think this was an okay, super quick, read. I did really enjoy the autumn-esque vibes!
“Pineville Trace” tells the story of an escapee prisoner through atmospheric travels through the wilderness and country, exploring past and present, while accompanied by his cat Buffalo.
I have to say, Buffalo was probably my favourite part about this novella. She felt like she had character and the interactions between her and main character, Frank, were really pleasant to read about. I think Frank could have been expanded upon a little bit, personally. It felt strange his motivations behind escaping prison weren’t really explained as much as they should have been.
On the point of prison, the juxtaposition between something as presumably tense as escaping versus the very slow journey Frank takes afterwards seems bizarre and unrealistic, though I think this is potentially purposeful by Wes Blake to emphasise Frank’s fear of his past instead.
Unfortunately though, the story was kind of boring, piquing my interest in some places but then losing it just as fast. I think going in to this you should know it is much more atmospheric and monologue based rather than containing any real action.
I listened to the audiobook version which was narrated well by Michael Mau, though it had strange musical interludes which really threw me off initially and continued to seem odd.
Overall, I think this was an okay, super quick, read. I did really enjoy the autumn-esque vibes!
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