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The Third Step
One man's journey into the dark recesses of his own soul. The Third Step is the story of Frankie's struggle to survive the addictions that are trying to kill him, and come to terms with the inevitable he will face in the end. Dark, gritty, and riddled with back alley characters, it's a complex, fast-paced, at times funny and at times terrifying journey. What Readers Are "Very intense story that gives the reader a real look into the mind and heart of an addict." "This novel is an entertaining and thought-provoking piece of great storytelling." "Lobb has a way of either putting you in Frankie's shoes or in the passenger seat next to him. More than once I had to check myself to make sure I really wasn't in the story line. Incredibly interesting read that makes it hard to put down." "Some of the more painful moments of loss made me wish I could reach into the pages and fill Frankie’s life with hope, just like so many tried to do. But it was exactly this erratic unfolding of Frankie’s life that kept me determined to walk with him until the very end." "A story about the human condition. Turbulent. Gritty. Poignant." Meet Frankie, a young amateur boxer, a loser, a drunk and a drug addict. Frankie fights a lifelong struggle to understand the creator of the universe, not the poisoned caricature painted by the church and the "holy" people who seem to torment him. His journey takes him from the East Coast down to New Orleans to confront his demons, both real and imagined. Along the way, his story is littered with tales of drug smuggling, murder, an affair with a woman who may be the devil herself, and an ultimate quest for revenge. Frankie comes to terms with his addictions, but his search for a deeper understanding of this God entity and his need to connect with his soul, could be his ultimate addiction. One that may follow him beyond the grave... If you like Seth Harwood and the Jack Palms novels, you'll love William Lobb and The Third Step. Get your copy!
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2017
11 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
William Lobb
6 books16 followersIt was 1957, March actually. Guys who’d kicked Hitler’s and Hirohito’s asses were back home and settling in, buying big block Chevy’s and houses and TVs. I came to this world in the middle of all this. It was amazing. Captain Kangaroo and Leave it to Beaver. There was a sense that we were on the side of God and right.
Then it all changed, quickly. Vietnam, hippies. Nixon. The Russians Were no longer so scary, our government was, and everything started to change. My belief system broke down. I started to swim with the sharks, the water got deeper and colder.
I got lost as I lost the desire to be found. I began to live underground. I liked it there. I’d be lying if I said otherwise.
Today, no two people know me as the same person. Everyone has a slightly different story, a different version. I’m okay with that. I’m a good source of amusing stories. That is what I should be.
A landlocked pirate, trying to survive 21st century mediocrity, writing is an attempt at making peace with these times and my life. Some days it works; some days it doesn’t.
Then it all changed, quickly. Vietnam, hippies. Nixon. The Russians Were no longer so scary, our government was, and everything started to change. My belief system broke down. I started to swim with the sharks, the water got deeper and colder.
I got lost as I lost the desire to be found. I began to live underground. I liked it there. I’d be lying if I said otherwise.
Today, no two people know me as the same person. Everyone has a slightly different story, a different version. I’m okay with that. I’m a good source of amusing stories. That is what I should be.
A landlocked pirate, trying to survive 21st century mediocrity, writing is an attempt at making peace with these times and my life. Some days it works; some days it doesn’t.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 7, 2017
Just finished reading “The Third Step” by William Lobb. First and foremost I would like to say thank you to William for gifting me a print copy of this book. Sometimes gifts come from the most unexpected places and I will forever be grateful for this experience.
Now, “The Third Step” is, from my perspective one of the most enlightening and life altering experience I’ve had, and will probably have in 2017. This is early in the year but it will be a hard task to beat this read. If you are familiar with The 12 Step Program used in AA/NA you will know that The Third Step is “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him”. As an Agnostic and a person who has worked the program for the last 4,837 days this was and still continues to be one of the most difficult steps. William’s character Frankie being an Atheist has a difficult time figuring this one out as well. This reads like the memoir of a struggling Alcoholic Drug Addict and his adventures through life and the struggles along the way. He becomes a killer (which he seems to enjoy), and starts running drugs up and down the east coast in a truck filled with and hidden among produce and flowers for the mob. It is not until Frankie ends up in New Orleans among the dregs and what some consider the low life of society that he finally starts to get his life together is some form or fashion. His help comes from the most unexpected places and people. Not from the clean cut, bible thumping, holier than thou group of thugs, but from the kindness of strangers, i.e. prostitutes, leather clad gay men and as I said before the dregs of society will be the ones to lift Frankie to a place where he can finally take a look at his inner demons. Demons that seem to travel with him on his journey whether real or imagined that exist for him in a very big way. The writing was excellent and the story was at time way too real. Gritty, dark, honest psychological thriller adventure worthy of the genre. I will look back on this book many times in my life and it will stay with me for a very long time. I highly recommend this read for anyone who has or is going through recovery as it will be very relatable. I also recommend this for anyone who isn’t going through recovery as it will give you an insight into the struggle and challenge of working a program such as this. Getting to a place where we can embrace clarity and gratitude without having to make the struggle with who this higher power is to us. Realizing that maybe we put too much thought into it that we forget to just be…I am moved and grateful for this read, journey and experience. Thank you again William.
Synopsis: (from back cover): Dark, gritty, and riddled with back alley characters, The Third Step is one man's journey into the black recesses of his own soul...
Meet Frankie, a young, disaffected amateur boxer, really more of a punching bag, a drunk and a drug addict. He is a loser at love, except for his relationship with his grandma, who, rumor has it, is a white witch. She, along with a handful of others, serve as his moral compass.
Frankie fights a lifelong struggle to find an understanding of the creator of the universe, not the poisoned caricature painted by the church and the "holy" people who seem to torment him.
His journey takes him from the East Coast down to New Orleans to face confrontations with his demons, both real and imagined. Along the way, the story is littered with tales of drug smuggling, murder, an affair with a woman who may be the devil herself, and an ultimate quest for revenge.
Frankie comes to terms with his addictions, but his search for a deeper understanding of this God entity and his need to connect with his soul could be his ultimate addiction, one that may follow him beyond the grave...
Now, “The Third Step” is, from my perspective one of the most enlightening and life altering experience I’ve had, and will probably have in 2017. This is early in the year but it will be a hard task to beat this read. If you are familiar with The 12 Step Program used in AA/NA you will know that The Third Step is “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him”. As an Agnostic and a person who has worked the program for the last 4,837 days this was and still continues to be one of the most difficult steps. William’s character Frankie being an Atheist has a difficult time figuring this one out as well. This reads like the memoir of a struggling Alcoholic Drug Addict and his adventures through life and the struggles along the way. He becomes a killer (which he seems to enjoy), and starts running drugs up and down the east coast in a truck filled with and hidden among produce and flowers for the mob. It is not until Frankie ends up in New Orleans among the dregs and what some consider the low life of society that he finally starts to get his life together is some form or fashion. His help comes from the most unexpected places and people. Not from the clean cut, bible thumping, holier than thou group of thugs, but from the kindness of strangers, i.e. prostitutes, leather clad gay men and as I said before the dregs of society will be the ones to lift Frankie to a place where he can finally take a look at his inner demons. Demons that seem to travel with him on his journey whether real or imagined that exist for him in a very big way. The writing was excellent and the story was at time way too real. Gritty, dark, honest psychological thriller adventure worthy of the genre. I will look back on this book many times in my life and it will stay with me for a very long time. I highly recommend this read for anyone who has or is going through recovery as it will be very relatable. I also recommend this for anyone who isn’t going through recovery as it will give you an insight into the struggle and challenge of working a program such as this. Getting to a place where we can embrace clarity and gratitude without having to make the struggle with who this higher power is to us. Realizing that maybe we put too much thought into it that we forget to just be…I am moved and grateful for this read, journey and experience. Thank you again William.
Synopsis: (from back cover): Dark, gritty, and riddled with back alley characters, The Third Step is one man's journey into the black recesses of his own soul...
Meet Frankie, a young, disaffected amateur boxer, really more of a punching bag, a drunk and a drug addict. He is a loser at love, except for his relationship with his grandma, who, rumor has it, is a white witch. She, along with a handful of others, serve as his moral compass.
Frankie fights a lifelong struggle to find an understanding of the creator of the universe, not the poisoned caricature painted by the church and the "holy" people who seem to torment him.
His journey takes him from the East Coast down to New Orleans to face confrontations with his demons, both real and imagined. Along the way, the story is littered with tales of drug smuggling, murder, an affair with a woman who may be the devil herself, and an ultimate quest for revenge.
Frankie comes to terms with his addictions, but his search for a deeper understanding of this God entity and his need to connect with his soul could be his ultimate addiction, one that may follow him beyond the grave...
January 29, 2018
Not for me, this relentlessly depressing, violent study of the underbelly of USA. Whilst it describes, in graphic detail, the worst aspects of American society and life, it fails to lighten the picture of despair with any lightness.
I was unable to finish this book, though its apparently worthy purpose kept me trying until I'd got through 50% of the text. I couldn't empathise with any of the characters, not because of the way they were drawn but because I couldn't identify with them. I've no doubt that such amoral, self-obsessed and tortured souls exist, I felt no connection with them.
Had there been some hint of lightness, I might have been able to force myself to the end of this book, but the relentless nature of the self-destructive, addictive, and repetitive actions of the main protagonist served only to repel me.
I was unable to finish this book, though its apparently worthy purpose kept me trying until I'd got through 50% of the text. I couldn't empathise with any of the characters, not because of the way they were drawn but because I couldn't identify with them. I've no doubt that such amoral, self-obsessed and tortured souls exist, I felt no connection with them.
Had there been some hint of lightness, I might have been able to force myself to the end of this book, but the relentless nature of the self-destructive, addictive, and repetitive actions of the main protagonist served only to repel me.
July 14, 2017
Dark, gritty, and honest! I didn't relate with the main character, but the story is compelling and I couldn't wait to finish it to find out the ending! Roller coaster of emotions, but so so worth it.
October 15, 2016
Excellent!! Awesome writing and interesting story. Highly recommend to anyone struggling with addiction or struggling to understand addiction and spirituality.
Read
November 20, 2017 This book is local home grown and a rapid rabid read!I loved it and feel like I even lived some of it, Hilarious too!!
July 24, 2022
You should read this book: if you have ever struggled with faith, searched for hope in a time of despair, experienced the cold hand of doubt across an aching soul, or loved someone, anyone, who has struggled with addiction, depression, or their inner demons.
The Third Step, Lobb’s novel about a tortured, haunted man named Frankie, is difficult. It took me a bit to get through Lobb’s grim tale, and it took me even longer to try and figure out how to capture, in words, the emotional journey of Frankie’s life. I don’t like Frankie; he’s not a great guy. He’s impulsive, angry, bitter, and most of all, lost. I wanted to put the book down because it was uncomfortable to read.
Yet I still felt drawn to his story. Frankie’s shadows were foreboding, but familiar.
Lobb explores the sinister side of the human psyche through Frankie’s life. It’s not a pretty life, with Lobb weaving Frankie’s spiritual search for truth through addiction, violence, heartbreak, and pain. It’s all a bit Odyssean, the plot taking unexpected turns and introducing new and important characters in Frankie’s life all the way up to the very last pages. I was never quite sure what to expect after those first few chapters when life became wild and desperate for Frankie, forcing him to begin a life on the run, a life of elusive peace, filled with constant chaos. Some of the more painful moments of loss made wish I could reach into the pages and fill Frankie’s life with hope, just like so many tried to do. But it was exactly this erratic unfolding of Frankie’s life that kept me determined to walk with him until the very end.
Lobb’s gritty, masculine writing creates a tangible, thick atmosphere. Each scene is cast in a grey monochrome that feels as if it happening right in front of me. I rarely read a book where I know how the world smells – it’s a sense so often ignored – but Lobb’s descriptions left me feeling less like I was reading Frankie’s story and more like I was experiencing a memory. His characters are particularly distinctive, the cast of Frankie’s life threatening to upstage him at various parts of the novel. Lobb writes his characters like landscapes, with each individual Frankie encounters a representation of the light and dark that can be found in this world and in ourselves. Their vivid personalities helped temper Lobb’s dialogue which, at times, felt unnatural, with more than the occasional monologue disingenuous to the vibrancy of such rich characters.
Lobb’s writing often seeks to balance a careful line between the casual and the theatrical. Sentences like, “Frankie was successfully drunk,” sound like they are coming from an old acquaintance at a bar about to tell the story of the night. But then Lobb will switch his cracked, led pencil for fine point pen, and illustrate the delicate, spiritual struggle taking place within Frankie with an elegance and extravagance, writing powerful tenderness like:
“The celestial tug-of-war would fade and they would find themselves pulled into many other stars along the way, but they would be forever entwined, influenced by each other’s force. This dance would last, in some way, forever.”
It was at these moments of vulnerability that I felt the most connected to Frankie’s story. Lobb has a talent for creating structure and distinction out of the broken whispers of doubt: whispers, I am sure, many of his readers have heard before. However, the balance between this finesse and the more casual tone of the novel don’t always work in harmony, and their frequent juxtaposition often lifted me out of Lobb’s story and left me scanning the pages, impatient to get back to Frankie’s adventure.
At over 400 pages and a hefty 45 chapters, I felt Frankie’s story could have been curated to keep the strongest, sincerest moments of Lobb’s writing. I am left wishing The Third Stepoffered a more refined and unified theme because it’s disjointed editing left Lobb’s message camouflaged by inconsistency, the message of struggle unfocused.
Nevertheless, while I remain frustrated at the excess that obscures Lobb’s best writing and powerful message, The Third Step – named after what is often the hardest step in recovery – is still a difficult but important novel that offers an uncensored glimpse into the truth behind doubt and the power of hope.
The Third Step, Lobb’s novel about a tortured, haunted man named Frankie, is difficult. It took me a bit to get through Lobb’s grim tale, and it took me even longer to try and figure out how to capture, in words, the emotional journey of Frankie’s life. I don’t like Frankie; he’s not a great guy. He’s impulsive, angry, bitter, and most of all, lost. I wanted to put the book down because it was uncomfortable to read.
Yet I still felt drawn to his story. Frankie’s shadows were foreboding, but familiar.
Lobb explores the sinister side of the human psyche through Frankie’s life. It’s not a pretty life, with Lobb weaving Frankie’s spiritual search for truth through addiction, violence, heartbreak, and pain. It’s all a bit Odyssean, the plot taking unexpected turns and introducing new and important characters in Frankie’s life all the way up to the very last pages. I was never quite sure what to expect after those first few chapters when life became wild and desperate for Frankie, forcing him to begin a life on the run, a life of elusive peace, filled with constant chaos. Some of the more painful moments of loss made wish I could reach into the pages and fill Frankie’s life with hope, just like so many tried to do. But it was exactly this erratic unfolding of Frankie’s life that kept me determined to walk with him until the very end.
Lobb’s gritty, masculine writing creates a tangible, thick atmosphere. Each scene is cast in a grey monochrome that feels as if it happening right in front of me. I rarely read a book where I know how the world smells – it’s a sense so often ignored – but Lobb’s descriptions left me feeling less like I was reading Frankie’s story and more like I was experiencing a memory. His characters are particularly distinctive, the cast of Frankie’s life threatening to upstage him at various parts of the novel. Lobb writes his characters like landscapes, with each individual Frankie encounters a representation of the light and dark that can be found in this world and in ourselves. Their vivid personalities helped temper Lobb’s dialogue which, at times, felt unnatural, with more than the occasional monologue disingenuous to the vibrancy of such rich characters.
Lobb’s writing often seeks to balance a careful line between the casual and the theatrical. Sentences like, “Frankie was successfully drunk,” sound like they are coming from an old acquaintance at a bar about to tell the story of the night. But then Lobb will switch his cracked, led pencil for fine point pen, and illustrate the delicate, spiritual struggle taking place within Frankie with an elegance and extravagance, writing powerful tenderness like:
“The celestial tug-of-war would fade and they would find themselves pulled into many other stars along the way, but they would be forever entwined, influenced by each other’s force. This dance would last, in some way, forever.”
It was at these moments of vulnerability that I felt the most connected to Frankie’s story. Lobb has a talent for creating structure and distinction out of the broken whispers of doubt: whispers, I am sure, many of his readers have heard before. However, the balance between this finesse and the more casual tone of the novel don’t always work in harmony, and their frequent juxtaposition often lifted me out of Lobb’s story and left me scanning the pages, impatient to get back to Frankie’s adventure.
At over 400 pages and a hefty 45 chapters, I felt Frankie’s story could have been curated to keep the strongest, sincerest moments of Lobb’s writing. I am left wishing The Third Stepoffered a more refined and unified theme because it’s disjointed editing left Lobb’s message camouflaged by inconsistency, the message of struggle unfocused.
Nevertheless, while I remain frustrated at the excess that obscures Lobb’s best writing and powerful message, The Third Step – named after what is often the hardest step in recovery – is still a difficult but important novel that offers an uncensored glimpse into the truth behind doubt and the power of hope.
November 26, 2017
This is a very profound narration of the eternal search for happiness, love, meaning of Frankie, a young man who asst the same time tries to blend out all feelings, hope and believes, fighting his own demons but evening a path to the darkest part of his soul. He is an alcoholic and drug addict, never sober nor clean of drugs, living his life day to day, without any meaning and without any real and profound connection to three people who surround him, except from his grandmother Cora and his best friend Alexandrine. Add he embarks a Burberry as drug smuggler and his companion and friend Eddie gets killed, the darkest side of his soul begins to flourish and overtake his being. The he comes to New Orleans, where he gets to know people that help him, after a serious breakdown that almost cost his life, to become sober and drug free. But his eternal doubts about what his friends and family call God still linger. Will he be able to find peace and believe in something?
This is an amazing book mostly about Frankies internal struggles and how his own worldview affects those astound him. It it's very profound, moving and sometimes the reader just wants to shake him to make him see his mistakes. The plot is well developed, although it's a very long book and out had some slow parts with sometimes too many details. The characters are very well developed, too, especially Frankie, telling about his feelings and struggles.
This is an amazing book mostly about Frankies internal struggles and how his own worldview affects those astound him. It it's very profound, moving and sometimes the reader just wants to shake him to make him see his mistakes. The plot is well developed, although it's a very long book and out had some slow parts with sometimes too many details. The characters are very well developed, too, especially Frankie, telling about his feelings and struggles.
August 31, 2017
I do not know how to explain exactly my adventure with this book, I really do not know if my tears were because in the first place, it is beautiful or because it encompasses the story, I do not know how much time I look for in libraries and other places a story that could give me Who gave me this, Holy God! I do not think that at my twenty-two years of age I have experienced so many emotions (maybe at age 6 when I read my first book) this piece of book made me see things from another perspective because although there were many differences between the main character and me as a reader I felt that there was a link, I admit that when I started thinking strange things as a faithful and proud Christian, I really do not think I have more words to thank the writer for trusting me, to read his precious book, I leave with a good taste, I will not hesitate for a second to recommend it and I know that one of the people who loved him as I am my soul mate. My dad. I finished this book about two weeks ago, maybe? But I thought I should give a review with the cold head and not only give a punctuation, I think the writer took the time to cook a very good book, I hope to read more works from him. Holy God! (I loved the New Orleans atmosphere too much, I felt that connection even though I've never stepped on it)
February 15, 2018
~I received a free copy for my honest review~
Whew, so where to begin with this one!
Frankie’s story is long and painful, made worse by the fact that he is not a likeable character yet he is written in a way that leads you to root for him just the same. It seems like the more I read, the more he lost until it got to the point where I wondered if he would ever feel hope again, which of course meant I just couldn’t put the book down.
The characters are well-fleshed out which made each scene a lot more vivid as we followed Frankie through the book. It felt as if the author had almost based them off of real people because each of them were as distinctive as the main character himself and it’s not very often that writers can pull that off. The struggle that he faces is very relatable and for that, this book is a good read for anyone who has struggled with themselves and the idea of hope and faith.
Whew, so where to begin with this one!
Frankie’s story is long and painful, made worse by the fact that he is not a likeable character yet he is written in a way that leads you to root for him just the same. It seems like the more I read, the more he lost until it got to the point where I wondered if he would ever feel hope again, which of course meant I just couldn’t put the book down.
The characters are well-fleshed out which made each scene a lot more vivid as we followed Frankie through the book. It felt as if the author had almost based them off of real people because each of them were as distinctive as the main character himself and it’s not very often that writers can pull that off. The struggle that he faces is very relatable and for that, this book is a good read for anyone who has struggled with themselves and the idea of hope and faith.
June 11, 2017
What to say about this book. well there are so many things I could say about this book. so many words and feelings. all I can say is read it! it will be hard to continue at times but you won't be able to fight the need to finish it. to know the ending. ignore the grammar and editing errors they don't matter. the story matters. when I finished it I had a sigh of relief for the character and for.myself. this book will take you through an emotional rollercoaster ride. just buy it and read it!!
November 25, 2017
Holy crap, you’re writing is some serious stuff! Very impressive. I love your descriptors, and the grittiness just draws you in. It’s hard to put down. I have to admit, since reading on my iPad, I can’t go back to physical books. I read your prologue and chapter 1 the other night. Again, just raw storytelling which just draws you in.
November 27, 2017
Haunting, well-written, and addresses via dramatic telling, the challenge so many addicts have coming to peace with the third step in their addiction road to recovery. Sometimes brutal, sometimes hilarious and always thoughtful, this is an interesting find and look forward to reading more from this author.
May 17, 2018
The Third Step was a very dark look at addiction and how low one can go. I could hardly put this book down, I needed to know what Frankie was up to. The story dove deep into "outlaw" life and death.
Mr. Lobb took me on a journey into darkness, that I was glad to just glimpse.
Mr. Lobb took me on a journey into darkness, that I was glad to just glimpse.
June 19, 2018
Well written seeming biography that puts you in the passenger side of watching someone go through addiction. You want to know what happens next so you can't put it down.
June 14, 2018
The Third Step - Written by William Lobb
Who do you believe and where do you find the answers?
Dark, gritty, and riddled with back alley characters, The Third Step is one man's journey into the black recesses of his own soul... Meet Frankie, a young, disaffected amateur boxer, really more of a punching bag, a drunk, and a drug addict. He is a loser at love, except for his relationship with his grandma, who, rumor has it, is a white witch. She, along with a handful of others, serve as his moral compass. Frankie fights a lifelong struggle to find an understanding of the creator of the universe, not the poisoned caricature painted by the church and the "holy" people who seem to torment him.
His journey takes him from the East Coast down to New Orleans to face confrontations with his demons, both real and imagined. Along the way, the story is littered with tales of drug smuggling, murder, an affair with a woman who may be the devil herself, and an ultimate quest for revenge.
Frankie comes to terms with his addictions, but his search for a deeper understanding of this God entity and his need to connect with his soul could be his ultimate addiction, one that may follow him beyond the grave...
What did I like? This was a very interesting storyline that gave you lots to think about as you read. Frankie was a thought-provoking character that leads you through this journey.
What will you like? Intriguing, interesting action, titillating journey, lots of twists and amazing turns. The developed storyline that takes you on a journey that you will be glad that you're not in. Remarkable characters that lift the storyline to the unusual ending. I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
Who do you believe and where do you find the answers?
Dark, gritty, and riddled with back alley characters, The Third Step is one man's journey into the black recesses of his own soul... Meet Frankie, a young, disaffected amateur boxer, really more of a punching bag, a drunk, and a drug addict. He is a loser at love, except for his relationship with his grandma, who, rumor has it, is a white witch. She, along with a handful of others, serve as his moral compass. Frankie fights a lifelong struggle to find an understanding of the creator of the universe, not the poisoned caricature painted by the church and the "holy" people who seem to torment him.
His journey takes him from the East Coast down to New Orleans to face confrontations with his demons, both real and imagined. Along the way, the story is littered with tales of drug smuggling, murder, an affair with a woman who may be the devil herself, and an ultimate quest for revenge.
Frankie comes to terms with his addictions, but his search for a deeper understanding of this God entity and his need to connect with his soul could be his ultimate addiction, one that may follow him beyond the grave...
What did I like? This was a very interesting storyline that gave you lots to think about as you read. Frankie was a thought-provoking character that leads you through this journey.
What will you like? Intriguing, interesting action, titillating journey, lots of twists and amazing turns. The developed storyline that takes you on a journey that you will be glad that you're not in. Remarkable characters that lift the storyline to the unusual ending. I received this from the author for an honest review with no other compensation.
July 25, 2018
The Third Step is a raw, gritty book that follows a young man as he deals with addiction, failed relationships, and a struggle with religion. Frankie does questionable things with his life. Things that include drug smuggling, murder, being involved with a girl who is disturbed and revenge. As Frankie starts spiraling out of control, he heads to New Orleans. It is there that he finds the strength to deal with his demons head-on.
Frankie was not a likable character and I am not going to pretend to like him. He did some despicable things in the book. Awful things. But, there were moments where you could see what type of person he could have been. That is what made this book so compelling and what kept me reading it.
Like I mentioned above, this is a raw, gritty book. If you are looking for a book that has a happily ever after, this book is not it. If you are looking for a book where the main character realizes that he needs to turn his life around to better himself, again not the book. This is the book to read if you are looking for a book that is based in reality. This is also a book that doesn’t shy away from anything.
I didn’t like The Third Step. But it was a compelling read and I had to finish it. I had to find out what happened to Frankie. It drew me in.
Now, why did I give The Third Step a 4-star rating if I didn’t like the book? Like I mentioned, the book was a compelling read. It was also very well written. Frankie’s angst over everything came across very clearly.
The end of the book bothered me. It wasn’t what I expected.
Frankie was not a likable character and I am not going to pretend to like him. He did some despicable things in the book. Awful things. But, there were moments where you could see what type of person he could have been. That is what made this book so compelling and what kept me reading it.
Like I mentioned above, this is a raw, gritty book. If you are looking for a book that has a happily ever after, this book is not it. If you are looking for a book where the main character realizes that he needs to turn his life around to better himself, again not the book. This is the book to read if you are looking for a book that is based in reality. This is also a book that doesn’t shy away from anything.
I didn’t like The Third Step. But it was a compelling read and I had to finish it. I had to find out what happened to Frankie. It drew me in.
Now, why did I give The Third Step a 4-star rating if I didn’t like the book? Like I mentioned, the book was a compelling read. It was also very well written. Frankie’s angst over everything came across very clearly.
The end of the book bothered me. It wasn’t what I expected.
July 14, 2020
Frankie is an individual struggling with a dark side of nature. He is searching for something of a positive foundation, but within a life of alcoholism, drug abuse, the deaths he has caused, including his best friend’s death within a boxing ring, and a period of drug smuggling and violent gang retribution, there is not much he can find to turn away the demons. The novel’s title refers to the third step of the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, which deals with finding and connecting with one’s god, but Frankie is a character that cannot truly see a god with which to connect. The author seeks to bring a deep and long perspective of Frankie’s character from exterior actions, internal thoughts, psychological trauma, spiritual conflicts, and even a touch of paranormal beyond, but unless the reader has the patience to explore the full grand details externally and internally, it becomes too easy to lose one’s way constantly along the journey. Moments and thoughts are presented that seem to signify an empathetic move that will allow the reader to connect with Frankie, but these moments drop quickly for a character with practically no positive elements, which even throw the spiritual paranormal epilogues into disarray. I struggled in my commitment to finish this long work that could have been trimmed a bit. The perspective was overly complex.
April 16, 2019
Talk about struggles....
I will start by saying I REALLY wanted to like this book and had extremely high hopes but it honestly became a fight to finish. Even after fighting my own battles with addiction, I couldn’t find any redeeming value in the characters in this story, nor any hope or inspiration or even familiarity with them. It seemed like one big nightmare ride that just became more jumbled. True, at times, the addict’s life does seem that way but the stream of consciousness thought patterns expressed often leaned too far to the preachy side. I wish I could have enjoyed this book and I wish I could recommend it, but it just didn’t work for this reader.
I will start by saying I REALLY wanted to like this book and had extremely high hopes but it honestly became a fight to finish. Even after fighting my own battles with addiction, I couldn’t find any redeeming value in the characters in this story, nor any hope or inspiration or even familiarity with them. It seemed like one big nightmare ride that just became more jumbled. True, at times, the addict’s life does seem that way but the stream of consciousness thought patterns expressed often leaned too far to the preachy side. I wish I could have enjoyed this book and I wish I could recommend it, but it just didn’t work for this reader.
July 15, 2020
This Book Sucks You In
I'm not sure what I was expecting when I started reading this book, but what I got was a gritty and raw tale of one man's fight for both his future and his past. Well written and honest, The Third Step will keep you turning its pages and surprise you until the end.
I'm not sure what I was expecting when I started reading this book, but what I got was a gritty and raw tale of one man's fight for both his future and his past. Well written and honest, The Third Step will keep you turning its pages and surprise you until the end.
February 28, 2020
Loved this book. A great read!
A story about the human condition. Turbulent. Gritty. Poignant. Interesting characters I could relate to - especially since some of the book is set in New York. The story kept me interested to the last word. I recommend this to all.
A story about the human condition. Turbulent. Gritty. Poignant. Interesting characters I could relate to - especially since some of the book is set in New York. The story kept me interested to the last word. I recommend this to all.
December 9, 2016
Received a free copy from the author for honest review.
This is a very dark and complex story about a young man named Frankie. He is an amateur boxer, a drug smuggler, an alcoholic and drug addict as well as a murderer. Despite all his faults I found myself really liking him and even identifying with some of his struggles. We follow Frankie on a very dark journey, he is dealing with addiction and ultimately looking for spiritual salvation. He is a very complex character who has many demons, some real and some imagined. Along his journey he comes into contact with many important figures in his life, some good like his grandmother and others who are truly evil. I really liked this book, I found it to be very well written with well developed characters, the author was able to capture the essence of someone hitting bottom and I recommend this book to someone who likes a deep dark story of redemption and insanity.
This is a very dark and complex story about a young man named Frankie. He is an amateur boxer, a drug smuggler, an alcoholic and drug addict as well as a murderer. Despite all his faults I found myself really liking him and even identifying with some of his struggles. We follow Frankie on a very dark journey, he is dealing with addiction and ultimately looking for spiritual salvation. He is a very complex character who has many demons, some real and some imagined. Along his journey he comes into contact with many important figures in his life, some good like his grandmother and others who are truly evil. I really liked this book, I found it to be very well written with well developed characters, the author was able to capture the essence of someone hitting bottom and I recommend this book to someone who likes a deep dark story of redemption and insanity.
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