Toller

by Luke Hartwell

Luke Hartwell does it again! “Toller” is a sultry story of sex, infatuation, and annoying song lyrics. As always, the brilliance of the narrative voice shines brightest. Cam, like other Hartwell narrators, is angry but funny, purposeful but confused, and humorous yet unexpectedly profound. Although sexy and sought after, Cam sees life darkly and takes solace in fishing. His relationship with the title character is a wild, unpredictable ride. Hartwell’s use of present tense throughout the story gives the book an immediacy, honesty, and tension reminiscent of his masterpiece, Atom Heart John Beloved.

56 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2015

About the author

Readers can track Luke Hartwell's book releases on the Watersgreen House website. Luke's books are available from Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, Gardners, Baker & Taylor, Smashwords, Scribd, Odilo, and OverDrive.

Reviews

[LenaRibka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, he did it again. AND HOW!!!


When I realized that the longest of a few new short Luke Hartwell's novels that appear this late summer is only 46 pages long, I got angry. as hell. That's unfair! All these two years I have been hoped for a new full length novel!..

And now I am depressed. Or is it have been depressed?
Any way, Luke Hartwell and his Toller(but in the first place CAM) left me in a state of deep depression because it's over. I. WANT. MORE. MORE. MORE. (Did I mention that I giggled through the most part of the book?!) I am not depressed because it broke my heart. I'm depressed because I wish it had like 1000 pages more.

But for now, I'm going to read it again, straight away, and then I'll re-read it, and re-read it again and again... because it's...

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

[Alona · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is it with this author???

How lucky I am to have stumble upon Mr. Hartwell's Jimmy, by mistake, and accidentally find his somewhat hidden talent.
I ADORED every book of his that I read (unfortunately my poor heart can't survive ALL his books (thank you Lena for being my go-to girl for "checking the water" for me)), but I must agree with Lena, in it being his best work yet (or maybe I just need to re-read Jimmy??)

I read this pure little gem with a smile on my face, and tears in my eyes!!
I can't even explain why, or what it was... But I can tell you- IT'S GOOD!!!
It's BRILLIANT!!!!

Also, I can't feel bad about it being so short, when it makes me feel like so many longer book fail to do.

Please, READ IT!!

[Shane Pennell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just got this in the mail today and it goes straight to my favorites shelf, joining all the rest of Hartwell's books. I was hoping after a two-year wait we might get a novel from him this summer, but this story is at least longer than his other short stories. It has the ingredients I've come to expect from Hartwell: a narrative voice that makes me unable to put the book down, moments of humor, moments of joy, moments of ecstatic sex, moments in which I can't believe what I'm reading. Truly a gifted writer.

[Shane Pennell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a genius about this story that is difficult to put into words. It just does everything so well that a writer should do, and it's both touching and a lot of fun to read. "Baby Self Hate" is an updated version of Hartwell's deleted "Toller." The new version is improved but basically the same. I do love the new title. I guess the best way to describe this story for Hartwell readers is that it combines the winsome narrators of "Nothing Strikes Back" and "Blue South" ("Jimmy") with the humor of "Michael" and the narrative skill of Atom Heart John Beloved and Memory and Madness. In short, it has it all.

[Louis Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. I'm sucker punched by another Luke Hartwell

I am in love with Luke Hartwell's spirit. Any guy who can come up with characters like his is a guy I would love to know.

Lord knows I enjoy EVERY SINGLE BOOK and story he has written.

Even though the ending SPOILER: was ambiguous END SPOILER it is Luke Hartwell at his very finest.

Beautiful, beautiful story I love all your work Luke and you inspire me!

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! And so much fun! This may be my favorite book by Hartwell, and that's saying a lot because I've loved everything he's written (I agree with Lena on that). I know I'll be reading this one over and over because (again, like Lena) I can't get enough of the narrator's voice. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!

[J]

DNF. Not for me.

[Monica]

Yes, I liked it, but the f*ck this ending was?
Now I have mixed feelings, so I rather won't rate this.