Big Man Coming Down the Road

by Brad Smith

“Brad Smith has got the goods — he’s funny, poignant, evocative, and he tells a blistering tale. A writer to watch, a comet on the horizon.” — Dennis Lehane, author of Mystic River Everett Eastman – absent father, terrible husband, and now, dead… As stubborn in life as he was in death, Everett’s will contains a lot of demands for his three children to meet if they want their share of his empire and only a year to meet them. The youngest son, Ethan, who only speaks in Bob Dylan quotes, is now the owner of a failing distillery. Kathleen “Kick” Eastman, Everett’s only daughter, gets an audiobook company and an ultimatum – produce a record with washed up singer Jonah Peck or lose everything. The Eldest and most ruthless son, Ben, gets the thriving auto parts plant he’s been managing for years. But Ben wants more and he’s determined to get the will declared invalid so that he can get his hands on all three businesses. If Ethan and Kick can’t get their act together before the year is up, then Ben will definitely get his way. But Ethan’s girlfriend, Janey, is determined to turn the distillery around. And with a nickname like Kick, you can’t expect Kathleen to give up without a fight. Praise for Brad Smith “It’s been a while since I’ve read a novel so packed with vivid, energetic, pulsating characters. Their creator, Brad Smith, is a writer with lots of skill, lots of heart, lots of brains, and, yes, lots of hat.” — Richard Russo, author of Empire Falls “Eminently readable, eminently enjoyable …” — National Post “Few Canadian writers seem to be able to deal with the subject of the criminal and semi-criminal underclass of our big cities with any authority. Brad Smith does have this authority … his plot is a good one, and has the same suspense as a whodunit.” — Toronto Star Brad Smith is the author of Busted Flush, All Hat, and One-Eyed Jacks, which was nominated for the Dashiell Hammett Prize and the Arthur Ellis Award. He lives in a farmhouse near Dunnville, Ontario.

Genres: Fiction

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2007

About the author

Brad Smith was born and raised in southern Ontario. He has worked as a farmer, signalman, insulator, truck driver, bartender, schoolteacher, maintenance mechanic, roofer, and carpenter. He lives in a eighty-year-old farmhouse near the north shore of Lake Erie. His novel, "One-Eyed Jacks" was nominated for the Dashiell Hammett Prize.

Some of his books that have been published include One-Eyed Jacks (2000), All Hat (2003), Busted Flush (2005), Big Man Coming Down The Road (2007), Red Means Run (January 2012) and Crow's Landing (August 2012).

Follow Brad on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/uQYcIw.

Reviews

[Amy Roebuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In life, multi-millionaire Everett Eastman was a ruthless industrialist, a bad husband, and an absentee father. In death, he becomes really aggravating." This is why I love Brad Smith's writing.
His characters, the heroes and the villains, are all real and flawed and funny. His plots are simultaneously outrageous and believable.

[Jean Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns in this story as characters reveal their true selves. Loved the battle between "the good" and "the not-so-good". Lots of real-life moments in this book and it's definitely worthy of a re-read, too.

[John Gilbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat interesting concept of three children dealing with a will after he dies that leaves them with assets to manage, but no money. Although the daughter Kick was an interesting character and documentary maker, I lost interest about a third of the way through with any of them.

[Helan Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read a bit predictable in parts but an enjoyable journey. Would recommend a read.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Brad

The author has the ability to get the reader rooting for the protagonists. I invested my hopes in Will and Kick, while despising the horrible Ben.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Man Coming Down the Road
Brad Smith
Penguin Canada, 2007, 357 pps.
ISBN No. 978-0-14-305177-0


Crooked Pear Farm is where Everett Eastman died. He died shooting at snapping turtles that were disturbing his ducks. Everett was a multi-millionaire and had three children, none by the same mother. But Everett was running out of steam and spent his days watching the turtles and the ducks and having a few drinks.

Everett’s children Ben, Ethan and Kick were amazed at the reading of the will. Will Montgomery a neighboring farmer was named executor. Ben receives the thriving auto parts company that he oversees. Ethan is given ownership of a failing distillery. Kick, the independent sister, is given Great North, a small publishing company and sometimes music producer.

The will contains challenges that must be fulfilled before the children can really be in charge of the companies. Ben decides right away that he will somehow get control of all three companies. He proceeds to undermine his brother and his sister but Ben is also a playboy and it is a toss-up if he can come out on top.

Ethan is a dreamer but has a girl friend that is very intelligent and ready to step up and help Ethan take control of the distillery and make it grow.

Kick is only interested in making documentary films but since she is broke she is determined to make a go of the company she was been given. The big hang-up with that is that her father has made an agreement with a fading county western singer who is in debt up to his cowboy hat in delinquent income taxes. The agreement states that Jonah Peck, the singer, must make this record. Kick takes off for Nashville to make it happen and that isn’t going to be the easiest thing to do.

Johanna is the housekeeper that has helped raise the three children and take care of Everett. The will also gives Johanna the use of the farm for as long as she wants and funds to keep it running. Ben decides the farm should be his as well. He tries to talk Johanna into leaving the farm.


I loved the book and all the characters. I enjoyed Brad Smith’s previous books and this one is even better. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a real page turner.

[SamBFN · Rating 3 out of 5]

A neglective crochity father gives away all his millions and leaves his kids each a failing company with a stipulation that they have 1 year to make them solvent upon his death, otherwise the companies are sold off and proceeds go to charity. Ethan (youngest son who like to speak in Bob Dylan lyric quotations) gets a brewery, Kick (his documentary producing daughter) gets a record company, and Ben gets a car plant that he has been "managing" for 10 years.

This is the first time I've read Brad Smith (A Canadian by the way) and it was a enjoyable book, not too heavy not too light, not life changing but a passable time reading a book. Quirky characters, some funny dialogue, a neat and tidy ending that Smith makes fun of thru observation of one of the characters.

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kick Eastman is a documentary film maker trying to get an interview with a Wyoming farmer battling big business. When she gets word that her millionaire father has died she assumes she'll receive enough money to finish her filming. But Everett Eastman was a cold, eccentric man, who gave away all his money before he died, leaving only three businesses to be divided among his offspring. Kick's brother Ben plots to squeeze everything he can from the estate, while brother Ethan sows marijuana seeds behind the barn and speaks only in Bob Dylan lyrics. A funny, entertaining read.

[Katya Epstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy Brad Smith's writing; his characters are interesting (although in this case the bad guy was just too much of a straight up asshole... I found it hard to imagine somebody being SUCH a jerk) and his prose is competent. But the story overall just didn't do it for me, and the ending was a little predictable.

[Eero · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess there was a Chekhov's gun, of sorts. Anyway, a fun read. Three siblings inherit businesses from their father, but they have to meet certain conditions if they are to keep them. One brother is crooked , the other nice but a bit spaced, so it falls on the plucky sister to fix things.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Brad Smith's sensibility. See my review of Busted Flush.

[Harry Annan]

Love this guy's writing. Complete characters & a fast read.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine prose and a decent plot but unlikable characters made this a so so read for me.Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Susan Cairney]

Started and got 30% through but I just wasn't grabbed! Will try another time 😕