Reap

by Eric Rickstad, R.C. Bray (Narrator)

Like a cross between Denis Johnson's Already Dead and David Lynch's Blue Velvet, Reap draws us into the hot, still air of a summer backwoods at whose fringes lurk danger and epiphany. Jessup Burke, a lonely, naive sixteen-year-old, has grown up without a father in a jobless, indifferent logging town. Out of high school a year early, he now bikes through the woods with his fishing gear, daydreaming of his sweetheart and their secret "home" in an abandoned farmhouse. When Reg, an embittered, paranoid recluse fresh out of jail for growing marijuana, encounters Jessup hitchhiking, he is at first drawn to the boy's easily manipulated na�vete, but the two soon become irreversibly bound. As Jessup unknowingly participates in Reg's perilous, criminal behavior, he also endangers himself when his relationship with Marigold, Reg's younger, married sister, goes beyond friendship. Jessup's rude awakening into adulthood is rendered in sure and supple prose in this dramatic, action-packed novel.

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Coming Of Age

Audio CD

First published February 7, 2000

About the author

Eric Rickstad is a New York Times and International bestselling novelist.

His latest novel, LILITH, will be published on March 19, 2024.

His previous novel, I AM NOT WHO YOU THINK I AM, was a New York Times Thriller of the Year.

He also wrote WHAT REMAINS OF HER, REAP, and The Canaan Crime Series — LIE IN WAIT, THE SILENT GIRLS, and THE NAMES OF DEAD GIRLS— which has sold more than a half million copies worldwide.

He lives in Vermont.

Reviews

[Rebekkila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast moving story of a boy who gets mixed up with a backwoods family of drug dealers. I liked the story, I could picture everything that was going on in the book vividly. The characters were pretty interesting. You had glimpses of them as children, happy and looking forward to a good life but the reality of how they turned out was far from happy or good. Watching sixteen year old Jessup getting sucked into these disillusioned lives was like watching a car crash in slow motion.

At times I didn't like the book, I wanted things to be different but I felt the author was pretty true to his character and when I finally got on board with that I felt better. Sometimes no one can escape.

[Nick Vittum · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending contained a few of the flaws one might expect in a first novel— it's been too long since I read it to be more specific, but they had to do with "wrapping things up"— but notwithstanding, it's a magnificent book. It perfectly captures the mindset of poor rural Vermonters in an era when the dollar is almighty and the ski industry has brought those dollars to Vermont— but only to be dangled in front of the poor natives, not for them to be actually allowed to partake of— and the ensuing resentment and sense of hopelessness, as the land is "developed" and those who have lived on the land for generations are inexorably squeezed off that land.

[Andree Sanborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The setting is northeastern Vermont: here. And Rickatd's got it right. Reap strongly reminded me of October Light by John Gardner, who was not a Vermonter. Rickstad is, although not from this remote area. Despite that, Rickstad got the people, climate and geography right. He understands the poverty. This is a slow moving novel and I admit I had problems starting the book and keeping to it. The contrast between the slow beginning and the violent end is stark. Stark like the woods, the wind, and, unfortunately, many lives here.

A few minor problems: the title for one. Many places have it all in capitol letters as if it is an anagram. I doubt that it is and I wonder at the confusion. I see it as "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Whether that be marijuana crops or decisions made in one's life, it is a true adage.

There were a disconcerting number of typos, from misspellings to bad punctuation, in the Kindle edition I read. Those old Kindle problems should have been fixed by now. There was also one mention of beer cans in one paragraph which changed to beer bottles in the next. That is most unfortunate.

Otherwise, I highly recommend this graphic and violent book. It earned a New York Times Noteworthy Book award. Rickstad's newest book, The Silent Girls , was just published and has gotten wonderful reviews. It is already in my library.

[Pamk · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know, it's very rarely that I give up on a book, but I think I'm giving up on this one. It's really well written and some of the imagery is very powerful, but it's such a downer so far! It's about a bunch of 'losers' - jobless folks living hand to mouth, growing pot and just not people that you'd want to know. I just don't feel like sticking with these people and life's too short ya know?

[Joshua Pesikoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot, which has a very Daniel Woodrell-like backcountry vibe, was a little predictable, but I enjoyed the journey. Rickstad is an excellent writer and there were numerous sentences I reread just to hear them again. And the characters were well developed and interesting. The only reason I gave the book a 3 versus a 4 is that about a third of the way into it, I could already see where everything was heading. So no surprises, but a fun ride.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me four hours to read this book. Four hours because I could not put it down. Four hours where I went through the full range of emotions about the characters. I hated Reg and how he seemed to bully others around him. I felt sympathy for Marigold and the way her husband was treating her. I instantly likes Jessup. I liked Reg and wanted him to prevail over "the bad guys". I rooted for Marigold as she fought back. I cried for Jessup as he felt even more loss. This is a gripping novel that will leave you breathless at the end. A must read.

[Kathi]

As much as I liked his two other books, this one was more difficult to like. Had difficulty conceptualizing the story initially, took a while to get through it. Dark perspective on rural life in Vermont and what desperation and trees can lead people to do.

[Annie de Bhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea stagnation could spin so fast.

Having read The Silent Girls right before, this is very different, though not any less brilliant.
Eric Rickstad sure has a way with words.

[Texjim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hardback copy that I received from a friend and I just now read it. The story focuses on rural Vermont and one particular family, two brothers, Reg & Hal and a sister, Marigold. It starts in their early life but most of the story occurs when the girl is about 25 and the boys are in their early thirties. There is one other character who merges into the narrative, a young clueless, 16 year old neighbor boy, Jessup. There are only two likeable characters, the girl and the boy's mother. The rest are unemployed lowlifes hoping to get rich growing weed in the forest. The writer is good at giving one a feel for the local natural setting and the squalor in which the group lives but the story is a real downer as you are constantly in expectation of the next negative event to unfold. The characters are mired in this hardscrabble landscape with nowhere to go. The central cast seems to be stereotypes of southern rednecks transplanted to rural Vermont with race cars, beer and meth, replaced with race cars, beer and weed. Some have said this is a coming of age story for the boy but it seems to me the corruption of innocence instead. Even the two women who seem destined to rise above it all are also exposed as fatally flawed. The writing is a little tedious at times and the text is organized, not in distinct chapters but into five extended parts with little logic to the divisions.. One is thus, subjected to abrupt changes in location with little warning or logic. The author held my attention through the story but, left many details sketchy and unexplained. As with so many stories the build up is long and detailed and the finale is unsatisfying. It was a good three-day read but not really fun.

[Richard Koerner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best, not the worst book I have read. This is not the usual genre I read and I read it because I read about the author in, I think, the New York Times Sunday edition.

The book details a young man, a virginal young man, who gets shows the usual puppy love symptoms and who, despite his age and background, gets sucked into making some money from people who have involvements that are complicated and fraught with criminality. He becomes a victim of the situation.

I will say that the book gathered up speed as I proceeded and although it was okay, I am not sure that I could not have spent my time better. Needless to say, I am not reading any more Eric Rickstad for the moment.

[Karen Sweiger-Veil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dismal Dreams

Spurred by poverty, lack of a decent upbringing or education, and stuck in small towns without any opportunity, the characters choose dangerous paths to fulfill dreams and escape their dismal surroundings. Each character's path collides with the other's as events spiral out of control. Some of their fates were not surprising; it was just a matter of time. A bit different storyline than The Silent Girls, yet still a decent read.

[Candice Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one that sat on my to-read pile for way too long. I really love Eric's writing and his completely unique takes on plots.

The writing in this one took a little to get into, but once I had the flow and the voices in my head, I got totally absorbed into this story. You know from the beginning no good will come from what is about to unfold, but there is nothing you can do to stop it. Tense, unrelenting and deeply atmospheric, it was a great way to spend an evening by the fire.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had trouble getting started on this one, I was juggling too many characters. I got it sorted and really enjoyed this novel. The author always puts a twist in every one of his novels I have read and this one was not an exception. His thrillers are, thrilling LOL. He has yet to disappoint, and I have another of his waiting in the wings!

[Taylor Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written story about something no one really wants to talk about. This book is a dark, filthy, and raw edged look into the lives of backwoods drug dealers and the innocent people who get caught in their crossfire.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

[Peg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t like. Didn’t finish.

[Tanya Royer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This book is very very slow at the beginning. Story really starts at page 135. Loved all his other books. This one didn't do it for me.

[Guylene Milner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike Erics newer books I had a hard time grasping this one until midway through.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost nothing happens in this novel until the last few chapters. Also, we are left wondering what happens to several of the characters at the end.

[Linda Shrum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t really care for this one. But it was his first and I’m sure he gets better with each one.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the book, I had no idea what was going on. And then I did for a little, but was lost at the end again.
Just plain confusing (and riddled with typos)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed like a completely different style of writing than his other books. But the characters are well developed along with the plotline and it quickly and easily draws you in.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reap by Eric Rickstad just doesn't work for me. Characters were weak. Story is about a bunch of losers, drunks, and pot heads. In a small town where a kid has lived his whole life but nobody knows him. I don't think so. How stupid and naive is Jessup for a 16 year-old who doesnt attend school and had no friends. Then, Marigold is an adulterer and child rapist. Reg, Turnip or whatever his name is can't read and can't do math, a total loser. Jessup's momma is a useless parent who doesn't know the truth. . How Hess miraculously arrives at the Barker house to see Reg and Jessup leave while on foot with a bum leg, really?
I've come to the opinion that I don't care about ANY of the characters. I don't recommend this book at all.

[Mia Siegert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to need to think a long time about this one before I leave a review. Beautiful literary fiction with the thriller bent. Jessup was such a great character. I'm actually at a loss for words.

I do see how people were confused after reading THE SILENT GIRLS because they're basically two different genres.

Read with Rickstad's biography that he has an MFA--I wonder if perhaps this was his thesis because from a literary standpoint, absolutely superb.

[Lesley Christien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad

A sad little coming of age book. When you have nothing but youth and innocence and you just fall into the company of people who have neither goodness nor innocence, it could end tragically but there is a possibility, a small one, of hope. The truth might set you free or maybe just adrift.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. I am definitely a fan of this author. This book was a little slow to get going and the point was a little obscure for a while, but then I couldn't put it down. Great job for a debut novel. Definitly worth the read. Can't wait until he writes more.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the bloodiest of Eric Rickstad's books that I have read. A young man accidentally teams up with a illegal marijuana ring. Jess, the young man, doesn't realize what or who he has gotten involved in.
I did enjoy, but Rickstad's subsequent books "talked" to me more than this one.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

see review posted at www.chamberfour.com

[Aris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would make a better movie.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was engaging with down-to-earth characters and an ending that I didn't see coming!