What do you think?
Rate this book
Boone
[Alternate cover edition for ASIN: B008OGOL34]
In the rural Deep South, there are stories about people who, upon the approach of their death, have been greeted by dead loved ones who return as ghosts to lead them into the next world. This is one of those stories.
In the rural Deep South, there are stories about people who, upon the approach of their death, have been greeted by dead loved ones who return as ghosts to lead them into the next world. This is one of those stories.
23 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
10 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 31, 2017
Set in the 1940s in Alabama, this story is seen through the eyes of a boy whose mother is a live-in nurse for an elderly dying woman, Mary McDaniel. Mary’s husband, Boone, is still an active farmer and is doing his best to deal with his wife’s impending death. The boy, referred to as Little Turd Knocker by Boone, is curious about the farm and splits his time between helping out with chores, exploring, and playing with his circus set or pretending to be a cowboy.
Mary takes weeks to reach her final breath, so this story has time to ramble through the life Mary and Boone built. Even though we know at the beginning that this tale is going to end in death, it gently meanders along. Little Turd Knocker and his mother move onto the farm for the summer so Mary can be eased into her death as best as possible. Boone’s best friend, other than Mary, is his dog Nero, who attends him daily in the fields. Eventually, Boone asks Little Turd Knocker to go with him and the two become friends.
Jones kicks things up a notch when we learn of Nero’s near escape from death as a pup. Then the story goes up another notch when we learn of Boone’s old injury and how that affected his life. So when Mary’s last breath arrives, I was ready for it. I wasn’t ready for what happened next. Oh my! I felt this story was ending on a sad disastrous note. Then in swoops the final scenes and this poignant, almost joyous ending lands on both feet.
This is one of my favorite stories so far by this author. For a short tale, Jones really pulls the reader in with imagery of the farm and phrases and attitudes that were common to the time and location. I nodded knowingly when Little Turd Knocker mentally noted how a sharp goose quill can poke through a pillow, making the experience of a feather filled pillow realistic. Then there’s cotton growing on many acres and hidden money and simple toys and the cowboy story craze of the 1940s. It’s a rich atmosphere that encapsulates these believable characters. 5/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book.
The Narration: Michael T. Downey was OK for this story. He did have a great voice for the inner thoughts of Little Turd Knocker and his gruff older voice for Boone was perfect. His female voices were also believable and he had distinct voices for each character. However, the technical recording of this narration is where the trouble lies. There are many mouth noises throughout the story. The volume occasionally goes a little up or down (but not enough to hurt your ears). So a little polishing is needed there. 3.5/5 stars.
Mary takes weeks to reach her final breath, so this story has time to ramble through the life Mary and Boone built. Even though we know at the beginning that this tale is going to end in death, it gently meanders along. Little Turd Knocker and his mother move onto the farm for the summer so Mary can be eased into her death as best as possible. Boone’s best friend, other than Mary, is his dog Nero, who attends him daily in the fields. Eventually, Boone asks Little Turd Knocker to go with him and the two become friends.
Jones kicks things up a notch when we learn of Nero’s near escape from death as a pup. Then the story goes up another notch when we learn of Boone’s old injury and how that affected his life. So when Mary’s last breath arrives, I was ready for it. I wasn’t ready for what happened next. Oh my! I felt this story was ending on a sad disastrous note. Then in swoops the final scenes and this poignant, almost joyous ending lands on both feet.
This is one of my favorite stories so far by this author. For a short tale, Jones really pulls the reader in with imagery of the farm and phrases and attitudes that were common to the time and location. I nodded knowingly when Little Turd Knocker mentally noted how a sharp goose quill can poke through a pillow, making the experience of a feather filled pillow realistic. Then there’s cotton growing on many acres and hidden money and simple toys and the cowboy story craze of the 1940s. It’s a rich atmosphere that encapsulates these believable characters. 5/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book.
The Narration: Michael T. Downey was OK for this story. He did have a great voice for the inner thoughts of Little Turd Knocker and his gruff older voice for Boone was perfect. His female voices were also believable and he had distinct voices for each character. However, the technical recording of this narration is where the trouble lies. There are many mouth noises throughout the story. The volume occasionally goes a little up or down (but not enough to hurt your ears). So a little polishing is needed there. 3.5/5 stars.
December 24, 2017
( Format : Audiobook )
"Everything he did, he did for Miss Mary"
A snapshot view of an old Alabama farmer, seen through the eyes of a young boy, Billy, whose mother had been employed at the farm to nurse the terminally ill wife that the gentle farmer had loved his whole life. Well written, this short novella conjures up the expanse of the farm, the solitude of Boone, despite the numerous farm workers, and above all, Boone's love for his Mary. Completely unsentimental, it is still very moving.
Michael James, the narrator, conveys it beautifully, his reading perfectly paced to the writing, and his protagonist voicings were also nicely performed. A poignant tale, yet one filled with the wonder of a child's recall.
My thanks to the rights holder for the free gifting of this book to me, via Audiobook Boom. Short, sweet and recommended
"Everything he did, he did for Miss Mary"
A snapshot view of an old Alabama farmer, seen through the eyes of a young boy, Billy, whose mother had been employed at the farm to nurse the terminally ill wife that the gentle farmer had loved his whole life. Well written, this short novella conjures up the expanse of the farm, the solitude of Boone, despite the numerous farm workers, and above all, Boone's love for his Mary. Completely unsentimental, it is still very moving.
Michael James, the narrator, conveys it beautifully, his reading perfectly paced to the writing, and his protagonist voicings were also nicely performed. A poignant tale, yet one filled with the wonder of a child's recall.
My thanks to the rights holder for the free gifting of this book to me, via Audiobook Boom. Short, sweet and recommended
December 2, 2017
Boone was a touching and eerie story of a young boy’s experience living on a farm. The book takes you back to living in the deep south and a rural farm. The book had several touching moments and the ending was a bit of a surprising twist. John didn’t disappoint he had amazing description in vivid detail which is always enjoyable with an audiobook.
I love ghost stories and John didn’t disappoint, as character approach death they had help crossing over by their passed loved ones who returned to help them cross over.
Read more at https://writersnauthors.com/boone-aud...
I love ghost stories and John didn’t disappoint, as character approach death they had help crossing over by their passed loved ones who returned to help them cross over.
Read more at https://writersnauthors.com/boone-aud...
December 15, 2017
When a young boy and his mother nurse a woman on her deathbed, the boy forms an unlikely friendship with the woman's husband. It's there that he has his first glimpse of death and what comes after.
This is a rustic story set in the late 40s about loss and the afterlife. I felt for Boone, a man who owned so much yet had so little. For a short story, it's really vivid and detailed and I felt like I knew the characters well. The ending will make you stop and think. The narrator's voice was perfect for the tone of the story. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a rustic story set in the late 40s about loss and the afterlife. I felt for Boone, a man who owned so much yet had so little. For a short story, it's really vivid and detailed and I felt like I knew the characters well. The ending will make you stop and think. The narrator's voice was perfect for the tone of the story. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2017
I'm not generally a fan of short stories, generally I prefer something longer so I can connect with the characters better, but this story didn't need to be longer for me to connect. The story and the characters are so realistic that they feel real.
This short story is packed with emotions and life lessons, it's a great read for book lovers of all ages.
The narration is excellent, the character voices are well done with great accents and the delivery helped draw me into the story.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
This short story is packed with emotions and life lessons, it's a great read for book lovers of all ages.
The narration is excellent, the character voices are well done with great accents and the delivery helped draw me into the story.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
January 11, 2019
John Isaac Jones has done it again. His descriptions are so vivid, I feel like I'm watching the story happen. I felt so connected to the characters even though it is a short story.
Michael T Downey was the perfect choice as the narrator. His southern drawl really added to the performance.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Michael T Downey was the perfect choice as the narrator. His southern drawl really added to the performance.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
September 20, 2019
Boone is a novella, a very short novel. I really enjoyed this short story that portrayed life of honest, hard-working people in the early ‘40s. It wasn’t long enough for me to “fall in love” with any of the characters, but I certainly admired all of them for their manners, no nonsense way of life and work ethic. I look forward to reading more of John Isaac Jones’ books in the future.
December 13, 2017
I really liked this short story! Michael T Downey did a fine job with narration.I can't say more since the story is only 50 minutes!“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”
March 1, 2020
How much can you pack in to 23 pages? Apparently a whole lot of story. This was listed in the genre of horror but there was nothing horrific about it. I had the privilege of working hospice and have many stories of wonder myself. And the bonus? The audible book narrator reminded me of Sam Elliot.🤠
March 6, 2025
This interesting little novella was written so well I couldn't help but wish it was longer.
May 8, 2017
Boone was a simple man, a successful but simple farmer, with simple needs. Boone didn't really socialize too much. After working the farm all day, he didn't desire anything more than to come home to the love of his wife, Mary, and his dog, Nero. Their love and companionship wholly fulfilled him.
When Mary becomes terminally ill, Boone hires a live-in nurse. After school recesses for the summer, the nurse's young son comes to live with her at Boone & Mary's farm. For the first few weeks, Boone ignores the boy. Then, one morning, he invites the "little turd knocker", as he calls him, to walk the farm with him. Boone kind of takes a shine to he boy and, from then on, he and the boy spend the long summer days doing farm chores together, as Boone teaches the boy about different aspects of farming and farm life. But, when Mary's illness takes its inevitable turn for the worse, Boone's comfortable and predictable world is knocked off its axis. What happens next will shock you and leave you reeling!
Jones' mastery at painting a vivid picture of scenery and characters, along with his signature twist at the end, makes this story another winner in his award-worthy literary trove of "shorts".
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
When Mary becomes terminally ill, Boone hires a live-in nurse. After school recesses for the summer, the nurse's young son comes to live with her at Boone & Mary's farm. For the first few weeks, Boone ignores the boy. Then, one morning, he invites the "little turd knocker", as he calls him, to walk the farm with him. Boone kind of takes a shine to he boy and, from then on, he and the boy spend the long summer days doing farm chores together, as Boone teaches the boy about different aspects of farming and farm life. But, when Mary's illness takes its inevitable turn for the worse, Boone's comfortable and predictable world is knocked off its axis. What happens next will shock you and leave you reeling!
Jones' mastery at painting a vivid picture of scenery and characters, along with his signature twist at the end, makes this story another winner in his award-worthy literary trove of "shorts".
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews