Out

by John Smolens

Out , the sequel to John Smolens’s internationally acclaimed novel Cold , finds the former constable Del Maki recovering from surgery and haunted by the recent loss of his wife. His house, set deep in the woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, becomes a haven for refugees during a fierce blizzard. First his pregnant physical therapist’s car won’t start. Then her two lovers come for her—and after each other. After her current boyfriend saves an enigmatic Finnish woman from freezing to death in the storm, they are followed by her former boyfriend, a petty thief who is armed and seeks revenge. As the weather worsens, leading to a power outage, damage from a fallen tree, and a fire, tensions rise. Forced to abandon the house, their flight through the snowbound forest leads to a bad deal with a deadly result. John Smolens’s novel Cold was lauded for its “stunning brutality and uncommon tenderness.” In the sequel, Out , nature and human nature again collide, illuminating the difference between being rescued and being saved.

344 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2019

About the author

According to Northern Michigan University's website, John Smolens "...has published five novels Cold, The Invisible World, Fire Point, Angel’s Head, and Winter by Degrees, and one collection of short stories (My One and Only Bomb Shelter.) Cold was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and the Detroit Free Press selected Fire Point as the best book by a Michigan author in 2004... His short stories and essays have appeared in various magazines and newspapers, including: the Virginia Quarterly, the William and Mary Review, the Massachusetts Review, Yankee, Redbook, the Los Angeles Times, and the Boston Globe. His work has been translated into Dutch, Greek, Italian, and Turkish, and has been published the United Kingdom by Hodder & Stoughton, London."

His most recent publication is The Anarchist and has been well received.

Reviews

[Tammy Lash · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three things I appreciated about this UP inspired novel:

*The snow. It was a character of its own.
*Landmarks of Marquette. I knew where named places were and found that aspect fun.
*Del Maki. A character I sympathized with and looked forward to getting to know. All others I could not connect with.

Content made it difficult to finish the book. Also included is a flashback scene of abuse that could be a trigger to survivors.

[Lew N · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Cold and Wolf's Mouth by this author so was excited to see this at the library. I enjoy books set in the upper peninsula and this one gives the reader an accurate depiction of how primitive life can be there in the winter. But I found the characters a bit unrealistic at times and likewise the dialogue, which didn't always ring true. But the storyline is suspenseful enough to keep the reader involved and enjoying the events.

[Ash Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book overall. As a Michigander it was wonderful to be able to actually picture the scenery as it happened as I have been most of the places in the book. The only thing I disliked is how Marcia was written most of the book. There were parts that bordered on misogynistic tropes. Hopefully next time the writer considers writing a woman they will make sure to do better. But the book, especially the ending was exciting and devastating.

[jimtown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another somewhat gritty tale set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. A very pregnant woman, two men who have loved her and a blizzard set off a series of events where we meet a few more characters along the way that most of them survive. Not quite as good as Smolens's Cold, but in a similar vein.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true and honorable depiction of the eclectic people that make the UP their home as well as an intense narrative that left me irritated when actual life made me have to put the book down made this an easy 5 stars for me.

[Thom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very suspenseful. Good read as were the other books by Smolens I’ve read.