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RUSSET
How does a boy overcome the fact that his parents knowingly--if lovingly--named him after a potato? Simple. He embraces that name, Russet, which is also his school's sports mascot, and he becomes the best football player his community has ever seen. Russ Blevins is 18 years old, the oldest football player in the town of Shelley, Idaho, in 1955. His father is the celebrate sheriff of the county, Arch Blevins. By his senior year of high school, Russ Blevins has allowed his prowess on the grid iron to go to his head, and it is an easy step from there to forget how he got so successful. Although still basically a kind person, when one begins to forget the "little people" around him, those who adore him most, the fall he is destined for is sure to be great. In the end, will the values Russ learned as a boy sustain him through the trauma of realizing he is just a human, after all?
522 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 23, 2020
Not being a fan of either sports or coming-of-age genre, I nonetheless didn’t hesitate to buy Russet by Kirby Jonas. I’ve read enough of Kirby’s books to trust him as an author, regardless of the topic, and Russet certainly met all my expectations.
I appreciate Kirby’s conversational, no-fluff writing voice, the depth of his storylines, and his multi-dimensional characters. I particularly enjoyed Russet, which is set in Shelley, Idaho, where my wife was raised, so I easily envisioned all of the streets, surrounding communities, and businesses. Not to mention that some of the events incorporated into the novel actually happened.
The year is 1955 and Russet Blevin, named after a potato and a senior in high school, is the town football star whose life is complicated by two girls - one whom he adores and one who adores him. His dad is the highly respected sheriff, perhaps more dedicated to his job than his family. What the community doesn’t see is the anger shared between Russ and his taskmaster father, leading towards outright hatred. Both father and son privately wish to reconcile but neither are willing, nor even knowing how to take the first step.
Only family tragedy and an ex-con’s revenge can bring this independent young man and his father together, which by then may very well be too late. I highly recommend Russet, and can’t wait to pick up my next Kirby Jonas novel.
I appreciate Kirby’s conversational, no-fluff writing voice, the depth of his storylines, and his multi-dimensional characters. I particularly enjoyed Russet, which is set in Shelley, Idaho, where my wife was raised, so I easily envisioned all of the streets, surrounding communities, and businesses. Not to mention that some of the events incorporated into the novel actually happened.
The year is 1955 and Russet Blevin, named after a potato and a senior in high school, is the town football star whose life is complicated by two girls - one whom he adores and one who adores him. His dad is the highly respected sheriff, perhaps more dedicated to his job than his family. What the community doesn’t see is the anger shared between Russ and his taskmaster father, leading towards outright hatred. Both father and son privately wish to reconcile but neither are willing, nor even knowing how to take the first step.
Only family tragedy and an ex-con’s revenge can bring this independent young man and his father together, which by then may very well be too late. I highly recommend Russet, and can’t wait to pick up my next Kirby Jonas novel.
August 30, 2018
Super story!
Although not a fan of football, this story has so much more to offer that it was an excellent read. Having lived in S.E. Idaho all my life, I am familiar with the many of names and descriptions in this book and that made it all the more enjoyable.
The last few chapters really had me hooked tight, had to finish it, had to know how it all ended, even if it's hours past bedtime.
Definitely recommended.
Although not a fan of football, this story has so much more to offer that it was an excellent read. Having lived in S.E. Idaho all my life, I am familiar with the many of names and descriptions in this book and that made it all the more enjoyable.
The last few chapters really had me hooked tight, had to finish it, had to know how it all ended, even if it's hours past bedtime.
Definitely recommended.
August 10, 2018
Loved this book!
Kirby Jonas knows how to make you feel like you are right there with the characters of his books! Russet is no different! Being able to experience live life in my hometown in the fifty’s was so much fun. Everyone should read this! Thank you Kirby Jonas for sharing your talent as a author with all of us!
Kirby Jonas knows how to make you feel like you are right there with the characters of his books! Russet is no different! Being able to experience live life in my hometown in the fifty’s was so much fun. Everyone should read this! Thank you Kirby Jonas for sharing your talent as a author with all of us!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews