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Nick Reynolds is a highly successful food company executive. He's also a bully, feared by his employees and estranged from his wife and children. After his latest blow-up at work, Nick's boss orders him to take the summer off and sort himself out. Angry and despondent, Nick sets off alone from his home in Chicago for Bar Harbor, Maine.
This is the story of what Nick experiences, learns and chooses along the way. It is a colorful and moving portrait of a man who must rediscover who he is and decide whether he can go on.
This is the story of what Nick experiences, learns and chooses along the way. It is a colorful and moving portrait of a man who must rediscover who he is and decide whether he can go on.
- GenresCollections
367 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2017
3 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
Don Tassone
8 books12 followersDon Tassone is the author of two novels, nine short story collections and one children's book. He lives in Loveland, Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 28, 2018
This first novel by Don Tassone brings us into the life of a man who, perhaps like some of us, has allowed his life to gradually become one devoted to work and ego-gratification, at the expense of his personal relationships and, eventually, his humanity. We see how some of the origins of his drive and distancing from those who matter to him play out as his story unfolds, and I, for one, felt many a pang of recognition and guilt that some of his story is also mine. A good exploration of this modern (and likely ancient, as well) ‘syndrome’, and of how one man grew to understand and face it.
August 9, 2024
I like Don Tassone's books. You pretty well know what you're getting: a moral tale told in a quiet, considered style. Tassone's books don't tend to feature car chases, men with guns, or steamy sex scenes. But you're always left quietly satisfied, and glad you've read what's on the page.
Journeys Within is the author's latest offering, on this occasion a collection of short stories supplemented with some flash fiction at the end. It's actually through flash fiction that I first came across him, so I was particularly interested in the longer, more conventional short fiction.
And they vary. The very first, The Hope, is a story about a violin virtuoso who grows up on the Gaza-Israeli frontier and ends up playing in the hope that people on both sides can listen, be at peace, and be united. Then there's The Secret Bookshelf, where a school librarian defies a School Board order to ban some children's books. The Conversation on a Park Bench is with Ray Bradbury. Bully tells the story of an increasingly ruthless CEO who finally sees the light. (That last is almost archetypical Tassone.) There's even a surprise sequel to his novel Francesca.
I'm not religious, so I relate more to the moral stories that draw on the values of simple humanity than I can to those that are specifically Christian or ecclesiastical, but the reader doesn't actually need to have any church experience to understand what's happening.
Finally... the story of Francesca, and its sequel here, would make a great drama series for TV. With its heroes and pantomime villains, it's full of political intrigue, assassination attempts and sub-plots. There's plenty of scope for a bit of sex, too. Why hasn't someone signed up the rights?
Journeys Within is the author's latest offering, on this occasion a collection of short stories supplemented with some flash fiction at the end. It's actually through flash fiction that I first came across him, so I was particularly interested in the longer, more conventional short fiction.
And they vary. The very first, The Hope, is a story about a violin virtuoso who grows up on the Gaza-Israeli frontier and ends up playing in the hope that people on both sides can listen, be at peace, and be united. Then there's The Secret Bookshelf, where a school librarian defies a School Board order to ban some children's books. The Conversation on a Park Bench is with Ray Bradbury. Bully tells the story of an increasingly ruthless CEO who finally sees the light. (That last is almost archetypical Tassone.) There's even a surprise sequel to his novel Francesca.
I'm not religious, so I relate more to the moral stories that draw on the values of simple humanity than I can to those that are specifically Christian or ecclesiastical, but the reader doesn't actually need to have any church experience to understand what's happening.
Finally... the story of Francesca, and its sequel here, would make a great drama series for TV. With its heroes and pantomime villains, it's full of political intrigue, assassination attempts and sub-plots. There's plenty of scope for a bit of sex, too. Why hasn't someone signed up the rights?
March 13, 2021
Take a drive with Nick across the country trapped in a car where he can’t escape his thoughts, the past, or the messages from strangers he meets along the way. Driven by guilt, a weakness he would never own before, he is tortured into believing that it’s too late to change; too late to repair the damage he caused his family. But through a series of unusual events, his eyes opened wider, a newfound awareness begins to form. Will he hold on to it? Tassone puts us in the front seat with a clear view of one man's disturbing struggle for redemption. Buckle up! This trip is one you won’t soon forget.
March 20, 2018
A good story about the ability to recognize mistakes that we make and our ability to change.
April 11, 2023
Every time you read one of Don Tassone’s books, you know who’s written it. There’s a quiet, reflective calm style, moral but not preachy, and with so much unsaid left hanging in the air. It doesn’t really matter whether he’s writing a poem, short prose or a full-length novel.
Musings is an excellent little collection of 75 flash fiction pieces, divided into sections: Mystery, Discovery, Light and so on. I think I probably liked the Shadow section most.
I read a small paperback version, but if an ebook exists that would be good, too. Better, Tassone has a great reading voice à la Garrison Keillor, and an audiobook would be fun. Great as it is, though.
Musings is an excellent little collection of 75 flash fiction pieces, divided into sections: Mystery, Discovery, Light and so on. I think I probably liked the Shadow section most.
I read a small paperback version, but if an ebook exists that would be good, too. Better, Tassone has a great reading voice à la Garrison Keillor, and an audiobook would be fun. Great as it is, though.
November 17, 2022
Carefully selected from over 250 stories, these conscientiously written stories touch the heart, excite the soul, and gently encourage profound thought that can carry you throughout the day and beyond. It’s not Tassone’s first rodeo, and after publishing seven books, he decided to do something wonderful with this collection of 50 stories by giving all proceeds to the National Down Syndrome Society in honor of his granddaughter, Alice. I am honored to share this heartfelt act of kindness to support these precious lives through a beautifully written book.
January 12, 2018
This is an uplifting book about the ability to recognize the mistakes that we make and our capacity to change. Nick and the various people he meets along his trip to Maine are such interesting characters that I was engrossed throughout the story. I loved the references to grace and to the sense that we are given blessings that we do not recognize or deserve. A warm, well-written story that I really enjoyed.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
June 30, 2024
This fine collection of stories chronicles the struggles of everyday people: from a child growing up in a violent war zone to an insecure bully pushing his way through the business world. When a lazy young man meets an older woman who introduces him to the classics, eyes are opened. A conversation with a dead man turns out to be quite the surprise. Tiny miracles gently unfold in these honest, heartfelt stories that Tassone seems to write with graceful ease.
June 23, 2017
Very enjoyable; very comfortable writing style. I was lucky enough to meet the author when he joined our last book club meeting. I loved hearing his thoughts about how important it is to "Get back, get back to where you once belonged."
December 11, 2017
Great story about redemption and the human experience in our money-driven society. Makes you laugh and cry, and will make you consider if you’re really living your life.
December 16, 2022
Rich from the heart stories that stay with you like the taste of honey on a buttered croissant.
March 30, 2022
If one sentence could summarize the overarching theme of Don Tassone’’s “Collected Stories,” it might be the following from Peter’s father in the piece, “Who is Peter Caruso?’
“We must be who we really are. It’s the only way to be happy.”
In one way or another, most if not all 50 stories in this anthology are about people striving toward self-actualization. It may be through simple tasks or heroic sacrifices, but Cassone’s characters all try to be good and do good. There’s Sarah in “Spiritual Not Religious” who rediscovers her faith while struggling with terminal illness. Or Bill, who escapes the chaos of life by retreating into his “Tranquility Room.” Or, Karen in “Watercolors,” who channels grief over her infant daughter’s death into painting.
Tassone traffics in positive vibes. Consider the following passage, from “The Beauty in Things,” describing Michael’s love-at-first-sight feelings toward a woman he’d just met in a bar:
“Then he looked back over at her. The fire danced in her eyes. Now, though, they weren’t just green. Now they were alive with the color from every bottle. And suddenly her face, though still plain, looked so very elegant. It was transformed, not by the bottles or even her eyes, but by a light that came from inside.”
“Collected Stories” contains a significant body of work. Structurally, the 50 stories range from approximately 100 to 10000 words, so while many qualify as “flash fiction,” others are traditional narratives. There are four thematic sections: Blessing, Fantasy, Sorrow, and Joy. The integration of flash fiction with longer pieces is not seamless, because some of the compressed works are equally worthy of more extensive exposition.
By and large, Cassone’s tales can be seen as parables, with plots and characters designed to illustrate some moral or humanistic principle. As such, they tend to skirt complexities and aim straight for the heart. Certainly, there is an audience for this kind of chicken-soup-for-the-soul fare, and readers willing to suspend a degree of incredulity will be rewarded. Those who prefer raw fiction with a dose of angst and uncertainty, not so much. Still, some of the strongest pieces, such as “The Clearing” and “Who I Found in Angle Inlet,” will impress even a hardcore cynic.
Finally, it is worth noting that Tassone dedicates this book to his granddaughter with Down Syndrome, and all proceeds go to the National Down Syndrome Society.
“We must be who we really are. It’s the only way to be happy.”
In one way or another, most if not all 50 stories in this anthology are about people striving toward self-actualization. It may be through simple tasks or heroic sacrifices, but Cassone’s characters all try to be good and do good. There’s Sarah in “Spiritual Not Religious” who rediscovers her faith while struggling with terminal illness. Or Bill, who escapes the chaos of life by retreating into his “Tranquility Room.” Or, Karen in “Watercolors,” who channels grief over her infant daughter’s death into painting.
Tassone traffics in positive vibes. Consider the following passage, from “The Beauty in Things,” describing Michael’s love-at-first-sight feelings toward a woman he’d just met in a bar:
“Then he looked back over at her. The fire danced in her eyes. Now, though, they weren’t just green. Now they were alive with the color from every bottle. And suddenly her face, though still plain, looked so very elegant. It was transformed, not by the bottles or even her eyes, but by a light that came from inside.”
“Collected Stories” contains a significant body of work. Structurally, the 50 stories range from approximately 100 to 10000 words, so while many qualify as “flash fiction,” others are traditional narratives. There are four thematic sections: Blessing, Fantasy, Sorrow, and Joy. The integration of flash fiction with longer pieces is not seamless, because some of the compressed works are equally worthy of more extensive exposition.
By and large, Cassone’s tales can be seen as parables, with plots and characters designed to illustrate some moral or humanistic principle. As such, they tend to skirt complexities and aim straight for the heart. Certainly, there is an audience for this kind of chicken-soup-for-the-soul fare, and readers willing to suspend a degree of incredulity will be rewarded. Those who prefer raw fiction with a dose of angst and uncertainty, not so much. Still, some of the strongest pieces, such as “The Clearing” and “Who I Found in Angle Inlet,” will impress even a hardcore cynic.
Finally, it is worth noting that Tassone dedicates this book to his granddaughter with Down Syndrome, and all proceeds go to the National Down Syndrome Society.
December 22, 2020
Don Tassone's is a collection of short stories of varying lengths, from conventional short story length down to flash fiction. Tassone's background is in business, but latterly he spent some time teaching in a Jesuit college and both of these strands are to the fore here. These are moral tales, exploring right and wrong in (for the most part) the business world, interspersed with little vignettes that serve to break up the tempo and provide variety.
I loved these. I think it's safe to assume that Tassone has a Catholic background – there are plenty of references – there's even a re-telling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son in here – but he's no bigot. One story in particular deals with the difficulties faced by a talented gay man in an unbendingly conservative establishment. That said, I was surprised by the last story, which centres on a couple where the man wants children and the woman doesn't.
Arguably, though, something that makes you question the story is the grit that creates the oyster's pearl. And this really is a pearl of a collection. Tassone is a great writer.
I loved these. I think it's safe to assume that Tassone has a Catholic background – there are plenty of references – there's even a re-telling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son in here – but he's no bigot. One story in particular deals with the difficulties faced by a talented gay man in an unbendingly conservative establishment. That said, I was surprised by the last story, which centres on a couple where the man wants children and the woman doesn't.
Arguably, though, something that makes you question the story is the grit that creates the oyster's pearl. And this really is a pearl of a collection. Tassone is a great writer.
May 27, 2024
Journeys Within is a collection of stories that, above all, reflects on what it means to be human. From war-struck Gaza to small Midwestern life, this collection of stories meditates on coming of age, what we inherit, and the events that shape our lives.
Told in sparse but compelling language, each story is driven by a character arc that shows how our own life journeys leave a ripple effect on others. The stories excel in both the larger moments and the seemingly small: how chance encounters can change our lives.
This short story collection is easy to read, well-paced, and will leave you thinking after you turn the last page.
Told in sparse but compelling language, each story is driven by a character arc that shows how our own life journeys leave a ripple effect on others. The stories excel in both the larger moments and the seemingly small: how chance encounters can change our lives.
This short story collection is easy to read, well-paced, and will leave you thinking after you turn the last page.
September 5, 2021
Don Tassone is a master at selecting the perfect words and just the right amount to evoke emotions that you may have lost or kept hidden over time. Memories rise from their graves when reading these lovely stories, and the messages given are comforting, jolting, crystal clear, and honest. They make lovely gifts for the deep thinker in your life.
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May 26, 2020Ohio author
March 2, 2021
Straight from the oven, Don Tassone sure knows how to bake up a fine batch of stories. Betcha can't read just one!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews