What do you think?
Rate this book
Busted Flat: a flash novella
Busted Flat is gritty coming of age story of Hap, a homeless orphaned teenaged boy picked up by Shiner, a veteran of the Afghanistan wars. Together they travel the U.S. surviving by stealth and theft. Masterfully told by the boy Hap, the boy's experience with Shiner gradually leads to a dawning realization that the man who "saved" him from the streets, who sees that he is fed and has a place to sleep, is deeply troubled. PTSD makes Shiner's behavior erratic and sometimes violent. Where will their relationship lead? Is the boy safe? What other option does Hap have? Told with humor and empathy, this cautionary tale reveals the impoverished dark side of the American Dream. Short flash fiction chapters lead the reader through this novella and paint a frightening picture of how many young runaways and homeless veterans try to survive in today's America. Hap's voice is heartbreakingly authentic, giving readers insight to how teen runaways experience life in the U.S.A.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2024
1 person want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 30, 2024
“Busted Flat: A Flash Novella” by Michael Loyd Gray is a spirited novel about Shiner, a war veteran from Afghanistan who adopts Hap, a homeless orphaned adolescent boy. They band together to survive and begin traveling through cities.
Shiner and Hap first meet when Hap is attacked by two homeless children while searching for food in the garbage behind a McDonald’s in Detroit. Shiner sees the mayhem and hurries to his aid, thrashing one of them to the ground. Together, they begin a looting spree while traveling on a stolen truck. Hap still does not know why Shiner chose to help him. However, he believes that Shiner may have seen some aspects of himself in him.
Gradually, Hap notices the brutality that Shiner exhibits in executing their criminal activities and attributes this to his experience in Afghanistan. He is, however, unable to learn anything about it from Shiner, the brains behind their frequent robberies that ensure their survival, on what is essentially a dead-end trail. As Hap reaches the age of eighteen, his experience and desire for freedom develops, and he realizes that he may soon be expendable to Shiner, who resembles a raw volcano waiting for a place to erupt. Inferring that one of them should be able to get rid of the other first, a familiar feeling of confusion hits Hap.
This story immerses readers in the worlds of a PTSD-afflicted war veteran and a traumatized orphan, both of whom struggle with identity crises, trauma, and issues of self-worth. They meet by coincidence, discover shared interests and desires, speak the same language, and begin making memories together. Despite his unpredictable ways, Hap proves to be a charming young guy who matures to tame the beast in his new ally in the most unexpected way. On the other side, Shiner keeps dropping cryptic clues about his ultimate plan, which takes a dramatic turn.
A coming-of-age narrative, “Busted Flat: A Flash Novella” by Michael Loyd Gray had me holding my breath from beginning to end. It includes scenes that are incredibly suspenseful that leave you wondering what may happen next. One of its central ideas—knowing what is good for you and not worrying about what is right for others—may cause different readers to respond in various ways. All things considered; it is an escapist tapestry that reaches a surprising climax and will make you want to engage with Hap once again in a follow-up installment.
Shiner and Hap first meet when Hap is attacked by two homeless children while searching for food in the garbage behind a McDonald’s in Detroit. Shiner sees the mayhem and hurries to his aid, thrashing one of them to the ground. Together, they begin a looting spree while traveling on a stolen truck. Hap still does not know why Shiner chose to help him. However, he believes that Shiner may have seen some aspects of himself in him.
Gradually, Hap notices the brutality that Shiner exhibits in executing their criminal activities and attributes this to his experience in Afghanistan. He is, however, unable to learn anything about it from Shiner, the brains behind their frequent robberies that ensure their survival, on what is essentially a dead-end trail. As Hap reaches the age of eighteen, his experience and desire for freedom develops, and he realizes that he may soon be expendable to Shiner, who resembles a raw volcano waiting for a place to erupt. Inferring that one of them should be able to get rid of the other first, a familiar feeling of confusion hits Hap.
This story immerses readers in the worlds of a PTSD-afflicted war veteran and a traumatized orphan, both of whom struggle with identity crises, trauma, and issues of self-worth. They meet by coincidence, discover shared interests and desires, speak the same language, and begin making memories together. Despite his unpredictable ways, Hap proves to be a charming young guy who matures to tame the beast in his new ally in the most unexpected way. On the other side, Shiner keeps dropping cryptic clues about his ultimate plan, which takes a dramatic turn.
A coming-of-age narrative, “Busted Flat: A Flash Novella” by Michael Loyd Gray had me holding my breath from beginning to end. It includes scenes that are incredibly suspenseful that leave you wondering what may happen next. One of its central ideas—knowing what is good for you and not worrying about what is right for others—may cause different readers to respond in various ways. All things considered; it is an escapist tapestry that reaches a surprising climax and will make you want to engage with Hap once again in a follow-up installment.
November 29, 2024
Busted Flat follows the harrowing journey of Hap, an orphaned teenager with no home or family, and Shriner, a troubled Afghanistan war veteran. Together, they traverse the United States, surviving through petty crime and theft, their lives steeped in chaos and uncertainty. Shriner, haunted by the scars of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, spirals into deeper turmoil, dragging Hap into an endless cycle of desperation and danger.
This is not just a story of survival but one of profound struggle. Busted Flat vividly portrays the bleak realities faced by Hap and Shriner, shedding light on homelessness, mental health, and the heavy toll of life on the fringes of society. The story's raw intensity resonated deeply with me, particularly as someone familiar with the immense challenges of homelessness. The psychological burden, the loss of direction, and the constant fight to persevere felt strikingly authentic.
Hap’s character stood out as the emotional anchor of the story. His innocence and vulnerability were palpable, a stark contrast to the hardened circumstances he endures. His naivety and lack of purpose manifested through his descent into cellphone theft paint a poignant picture of the struggles faced by runaway, orphaned teens. Hap’s portrayal is not just genuine but heart-wrenching, offering an unflinching look at the emotional scars of abandonment and aimlessness.
Gray’s storytelling excels in capturing the bleakness of homelessness in America. The characters are painted with depth and nuance, making their pain and hardships achingly real. The depiction of Shriner’s PTSD adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. It showcases how trauma compounds the already immense challenges of survival.
For readers seeking an intense and thought-provoking crime thriller, Busted Flat delivers. It is a gripping, page-turning exploration of broken lives, raw emotions, and the relentless fight for survival. Highly recommended for those who crave a story that is as heart-pounding as it is deeply moving.
This is not just a story of survival but one of profound struggle. Busted Flat vividly portrays the bleak realities faced by Hap and Shriner, shedding light on homelessness, mental health, and the heavy toll of life on the fringes of society. The story's raw intensity resonated deeply with me, particularly as someone familiar with the immense challenges of homelessness. The psychological burden, the loss of direction, and the constant fight to persevere felt strikingly authentic.
Hap’s character stood out as the emotional anchor of the story. His innocence and vulnerability were palpable, a stark contrast to the hardened circumstances he endures. His naivety and lack of purpose manifested through his descent into cellphone theft paint a poignant picture of the struggles faced by runaway, orphaned teens. Hap’s portrayal is not just genuine but heart-wrenching, offering an unflinching look at the emotional scars of abandonment and aimlessness.
Gray’s storytelling excels in capturing the bleakness of homelessness in America. The characters are painted with depth and nuance, making their pain and hardships achingly real. The depiction of Shriner’s PTSD adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. It showcases how trauma compounds the already immense challenges of survival.
For readers seeking an intense and thought-provoking crime thriller, Busted Flat delivers. It is a gripping, page-turning exploration of broken lives, raw emotions, and the relentless fight for survival. Highly recommended for those who crave a story that is as heart-pounding as it is deeply moving.
November 2, 2024
A gritty story of an orphaned 18 year old homeless boy picked up by a veteran of the Afghanistan wars, also homeless. The two drive across the US in the vet's beat-up pickup living off petty theft and barely surviving while the vet's PTSD worsens and the boy begins to fear his future with his fragile, violent benefactor. The underside of America is the epidemic of teen runaways. Powerfully told.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews