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Going Home
Archie Johnson thought he was prepared to meet his death in the electric chair. The sentence had been read; he had had his last meal and the prison chaplain had asked God to have mercy on his immortal soul. Then, just as they were strapping him into the chair and about to pull the switch, he suddenly realized there were a few things he wanted to do before he left this earth. This is Archie's story
11 pages, ebook
First published February 5, 2016
3 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
John Isaac Jones
33 books76 followersJohn Isaac Jones is a retired journalist currently living and writing at Merritt Island, Florida. For more than thirty years, "John I.," as he prefers to be called, was a reporter for media outlets throughout the world. These included local newspapers in his native Alabama, The National Enquirer, News of the World in London, the Sydney Morning Herald, and NBC television. He is the author of ten novels, two short story collections and five novellas.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 6, 2017
Going Home is a well written (and narrated) short story of a man facing his mortality as he is strapped into the electric chair. The story itself was well done, but I kept awaiting a big revelation or redemptive event, but it never occurred…and then it was over. Could have used a little longer format and a little more oomph.
May sound like I didn’t like it, but I did. Just needed it a wee more “juice” to make the work pop. It is obvious the author knows how to write and I would definitely read and/or listen to more of his work.
*I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the author and have voluntarily left this honest review.
May sound like I didn’t like it, but I did. Just needed it a wee more “juice” to make the work pop. It is obvious the author knows how to write and I would definitely read and/or listen to more of his work.
*I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the author and have voluntarily left this honest review.
October 7, 2017
Set in 1961 Alabama, it’s time for Archie to finish out his sentence: death by electrocution. As he’s walked into the room and then strapped down, he really narrows down the things he wishes he still had time for.
Back in Peach Tree, Georgia, he’s got family, friends, favorite places, and Big Betty (a prostitute who he favors). Considering the book’s description, I wasn’t expecting this tale to be, well, so gentle. Archie was once a very questionable person with some anger issues but he doesn’t come off that way now. I do appreciate the author giving us little nuggets of info as to why Archie was on death row and some of the tussles he had been in over the years.
That description of the peach pie was mouth-watering. I really want pie now, but not just any pie. I need pie that someone’s granny made, not store bought pie. Jones has a way with words that elicits these more subtle emotions from the reader.
The ending was a little surprising but fitting. Archie had to pay his dues before he could get to any reward. This is a tale fit for all company and gave me a little chill. So if you like a lunch-time story with a little bite to it, this would be a good fit.
I received a free copy of this book.
The Narration: Tom Zainea was a really good fit for this book. He had the southern dialects down as well as keeping each of the characters distinct. His female voices were believable too. I think he also liked the description of the peach pie because I swear he was also pining for a slice by the end of that little scene. There’s some subtle emotions going on in this story and Zainea did a good job capturing those as well.
Back in Peach Tree, Georgia, he’s got family, friends, favorite places, and Big Betty (a prostitute who he favors). Considering the book’s description, I wasn’t expecting this tale to be, well, so gentle. Archie was once a very questionable person with some anger issues but he doesn’t come off that way now. I do appreciate the author giving us little nuggets of info as to why Archie was on death row and some of the tussles he had been in over the years.
That description of the peach pie was mouth-watering. I really want pie now, but not just any pie. I need pie that someone’s granny made, not store bought pie. Jones has a way with words that elicits these more subtle emotions from the reader.
The ending was a little surprising but fitting. Archie had to pay his dues before he could get to any reward. This is a tale fit for all company and gave me a little chill. So if you like a lunch-time story with a little bite to it, this would be a good fit.
I received a free copy of this book.
The Narration: Tom Zainea was a really good fit for this book. He had the southern dialects down as well as keeping each of the characters distinct. His female voices were believable too. I think he also liked the description of the peach pie because I swear he was also pining for a slice by the end of that little scene. There’s some subtle emotions going on in this story and Zainea did a good job capturing those as well.
November 4, 2017
What a powerful short story. Having read several of John Isaac Jones' other works, I knew I was in for a tale laced with depth; this did not let me down. I have to admit that I did figure out where this story was headed (not always the case with this author), but in no way did it spoil my interest. In fact, in this case it peaked my interest as I realized exactly what the main character was going through. As the title and cover illustration suggests, Archie Johnson has a seat reserved for his final trip home. As we can only imagine, despite the evil deeds one may do, somewhere inside there are good, sweet memories. The question is; does our life really flash before our eyes before we go home? I would highly recommend this short story to anyone and especially those that enjoy an introspective look into the mindset of a killer at a crucial point of his life.
October 6, 2017
Going Home by John Isaac Jones was a good quick read. Archie is preparing for his death in the electric chair. They were about to pull the switch when he remembered that there were some things he wanted to take care of.
January 11, 2019
Would you do things differently if you were given a second chance? Can 11 years in prison change a man? This was a very thought provoking short story about what happens to a man as he is taken from death row to the electric chair.
Another powerful short story by John Isaac Jones.
Another powerful short story by John Isaac Jones.
October 21, 2017
This is a short story (under ten minutes to read) about a man awaiting death by electric chair. It's surprisingly sweet/nostalgic, and a little sad, and the ending packs a little punch to the gut.
February 9, 2017
This short by Jones was simply electric and kept my interest on lock down! It packs a LOT into just a few pages. Once again, Jones shows his expertise at creating a detailed atmosphere that makes you feel as if you are physically on the journey with the main character. It was chilling how easily Jones lured me in as a silent bystander.
I walked down death row with Archie and felt his resignation to his fate. I saw the other prisoner's eyes peering out at me from between the cold, iron bars of the dank, death row cells. I smelled their own fear and desperation. I heard the calls of farewell echoing through the corridor, the sounds of the warden's key ring clanking against the heavy cell block door and the sturdy key scraping in the metal lock.
When "the call" came, I experienced Archie's shock and overwhelming sense of relief. I felt Archie's joy and awe wash over me as he relished that first breath of freedom, the air being just as sweet for me as it was for him. I felt his heart expand with love and the sense of "coming home", when he was finally enfolded in the warmth of his mother's arms, again. And that first taste of fresh-from-the-oven peach pie smothered with melted butter was nothing short of electric on the taste buds.
As with his other stories, Jones is the "king of the twist", and you won't be disappointed with the quirk of fate found at the end of this story.
*A gift copy of this story was given to me in order to read and give a voluntary and honest review, should I choose to do so.
I walked down death row with Archie and felt his resignation to his fate. I saw the other prisoner's eyes peering out at me from between the cold, iron bars of the dank, death row cells. I smelled their own fear and desperation. I heard the calls of farewell echoing through the corridor, the sounds of the warden's key ring clanking against the heavy cell block door and the sturdy key scraping in the metal lock.
When "the call" came, I experienced Archie's shock and overwhelming sense of relief. I felt Archie's joy and awe wash over me as he relished that first breath of freedom, the air being just as sweet for me as it was for him. I felt his heart expand with love and the sense of "coming home", when he was finally enfolded in the warmth of his mother's arms, again. And that first taste of fresh-from-the-oven peach pie smothered with melted butter was nothing short of electric on the taste buds.
As with his other stories, Jones is the "king of the twist", and you won't be disappointed with the quirk of fate found at the end of this story.
*A gift copy of this story was given to me in order to read and give a voluntary and honest review, should I choose to do so.
February 15, 2016
A short, bitter-sweet tale. Archie is bound for his death sentence and is hoping for a last minute reprieve. We see what he wishes for and that which he holds most dear. Is there any hope of salvation? Use of imagery and good sentence construction makes this tale a straightforward read.
February 17, 2016
This story was short and sweet. It incorporates themes of freedom and nostalgia that contribute to the mood. I especially love the dialogue in this story. Jones presents Archie in such an interesting way. Definitely would recommend!
April 17, 2016
Green grass of home
I could hear Elvis singing as the tears fell at the end of the book. I found it one of the best short stories I have ever read.
I could hear Elvis singing as the tears fell at the end of the book. I found it one of the best short stories I have ever read.
October 20, 2017
A good story!You may be surprised by the ending!Won't give anthing away. Tom Zaines was a wonderful narrator.“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews