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Summertime: Book One
Wesley Perkins, successful and privileged advertising executive, makes an apparently impromptu purchase in a pawn shop. Almost immediately, he becomes immersed in a new reality. Old values evaporate. The line between good and evil seems inconsistent. Wesley is challenged to accept profound change, all the while juggling choices of enormous consequence. Summertime, Book One, is the first portion of a story that delves into a surreal realm of spiritual fantasy. Situational moralities are juxtaposed with omnipresent supernatural forces. Where the boundaries of our mundane lives intersect cosmic intents, events, and conspiracies, we can become overwhelmed by involuntary transformation. We look for surrogate sacrifices, and a home in Summertime.
300 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2014
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June 20, 2015
`He stepped to the end of the counter to examine a silver saxophone perched on a pyramidal stand of chrome and plastic.'
Seattle, Washington author Chuck Gould is both a writer and a musician who plays a variety of keyboard instruments as well as the bagpipes! He has scribed over 1,000 articles for recreational boating publications and he is Editor Emeritus of Pacific Nor'West Boating magazine. His previous publications include HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR FIRST POWERBOAT and now he has settled in to his own brand of magical realism in the SUMMERTIME series - a series named after the Porgy and Bess famous song: `on one level the story is about an unlikely group of friends, risin' up singin' and taking to the sky ` according to Chuck.
In an interview about the release of this book Chuck remarked, `Perhaps none of us is as self-directed as we prefer to believe. We can become swept up in supernatural events. The boundaries between "good" and "evil" can become indistinct, and we cannot always avoid making choices that have profound implications and consequences.' And that is precisely what happens in this refreshingly unique story.
The author's synopsis distills the story well: 'Wesley Perkins, successful and privileged advertising executive, makes an apparently impromptu purchase in a pawnshop. Almost immediately, he becomes immersed in a new reality. Old values evaporate. The line between good and evil seems inconsistent. Wesley is challenged to accept profound change, all the while juggling choices of enormous consequence. Summertime, Book One, is the first portion of a story that delves into a surreal realm of spiritual fantasy. Situational moralities are juxtaposed with omnipresent supernatural forces. Where the boundaries of our mundane lives intersect cosmic intents, events, and conspiracies, we can become overwhelmed by involuntary transformation. We look for surrogate sacrifices, and a home in Summertime.'
Though most of the story takes place in Chuck's home town of Seattle, he opens his book with a Prologue of time indeterminate: `Balthazar spiraled down the tower. He hiked his robes up around his shins, almost flying as he skipped every other stone step. He disregarded the risk to his ancient, rickety frame. The stars, the bones, and the entrails were consistent. There was disruption beyond the corner of the cosmos. Somehow, the mission had been corrupted. The Universal Solstice Chime had sounded without any presentation of the Cardinal's sacrifice. Balthazar dodged the handcarts and horse manure in the cobbled courtyard. His heart thundered in his chest and blood hammered in his temples. He burst through an unremarkable door in the central keep. "Master, I have terrible news. Something has happ..." The Cardinal held up his hand to silence Balthazar. "Yes, something has. I already know. Be sure that there are plans in place. Were there such a thing as time, it would be on our side."
Jumping into the present we meet Wesley and Ruth in a very comfortable contemporary conversation, leaving us to wonder when the magic starts, and then: `Wesley had no reason to notice a quiet figure wrapped up in a dark red scarf under a black fedora. He had no clue that he was being stalked.' So typical of the `always something around the corner to surprise you' style that weaves its way through this book that honors great music, myth, fantasy, mystery and warmly humorous contemporary life. This is a first rate book that promises an illuminating sequel.
Seattle, Washington author Chuck Gould is both a writer and a musician who plays a variety of keyboard instruments as well as the bagpipes! He has scribed over 1,000 articles for recreational boating publications and he is Editor Emeritus of Pacific Nor'West Boating magazine. His previous publications include HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR FIRST POWERBOAT and now he has settled in to his own brand of magical realism in the SUMMERTIME series - a series named after the Porgy and Bess famous song: `on one level the story is about an unlikely group of friends, risin' up singin' and taking to the sky ` according to Chuck.
In an interview about the release of this book Chuck remarked, `Perhaps none of us is as self-directed as we prefer to believe. We can become swept up in supernatural events. The boundaries between "good" and "evil" can become indistinct, and we cannot always avoid making choices that have profound implications and consequences.' And that is precisely what happens in this refreshingly unique story.
The author's synopsis distills the story well: 'Wesley Perkins, successful and privileged advertising executive, makes an apparently impromptu purchase in a pawnshop. Almost immediately, he becomes immersed in a new reality. Old values evaporate. The line between good and evil seems inconsistent. Wesley is challenged to accept profound change, all the while juggling choices of enormous consequence. Summertime, Book One, is the first portion of a story that delves into a surreal realm of spiritual fantasy. Situational moralities are juxtaposed with omnipresent supernatural forces. Where the boundaries of our mundane lives intersect cosmic intents, events, and conspiracies, we can become overwhelmed by involuntary transformation. We look for surrogate sacrifices, and a home in Summertime.'
Though most of the story takes place in Chuck's home town of Seattle, he opens his book with a Prologue of time indeterminate: `Balthazar spiraled down the tower. He hiked his robes up around his shins, almost flying as he skipped every other stone step. He disregarded the risk to his ancient, rickety frame. The stars, the bones, and the entrails were consistent. There was disruption beyond the corner of the cosmos. Somehow, the mission had been corrupted. The Universal Solstice Chime had sounded without any presentation of the Cardinal's sacrifice. Balthazar dodged the handcarts and horse manure in the cobbled courtyard. His heart thundered in his chest and blood hammered in his temples. He burst through an unremarkable door in the central keep. "Master, I have terrible news. Something has happ..." The Cardinal held up his hand to silence Balthazar. "Yes, something has. I already know. Be sure that there are plans in place. Were there such a thing as time, it would be on our side."
Jumping into the present we meet Wesley and Ruth in a very comfortable contemporary conversation, leaving us to wonder when the magic starts, and then: `Wesley had no reason to notice a quiet figure wrapped up in a dark red scarf under a black fedora. He had no clue that he was being stalked.' So typical of the `always something around the corner to surprise you' style that weaves its way through this book that honors great music, myth, fantasy, mystery and warmly humorous contemporary life. This is a first rate book that promises an illuminating sequel.
July 6, 2015
Summertime: Book One, by Chuck Gould, really amazed me. What initially attracted me to this book was the cover; it's cute and catchy. When I read the description, I knew that I had to read it. I was literally engrossed, and had trouble putting it down (even at work). It is a pretty lengthy read, but It's not boring and definitely doesn't drag.
Main character Wesley makes an impulse purchase at a pawn shop; something we have all done at least once in our lives. However, something changes in Wesley's world once he makes this purchase. Everything seems to change, including old values coming back to light. Wesley isn't sure how to handle this sudden change, and goes through many challenges in order to come to terms with it all. It's a spiritual journey in a way, one that Wesley is going to have to deal with. This story is only part one, and I truly can't wait for the next part to come out.
Chuck Gould has a lot of talent, which is evident in this book. I would definitely highly recommend it.
Main character Wesley makes an impulse purchase at a pawn shop; something we have all done at least once in our lives. However, something changes in Wesley's world once he makes this purchase. Everything seems to change, including old values coming back to light. Wesley isn't sure how to handle this sudden change, and goes through many challenges in order to come to terms with it all. It's a spiritual journey in a way, one that Wesley is going to have to deal with. This story is only part one, and I truly can't wait for the next part to come out.
Chuck Gould has a lot of talent, which is evident in this book. I would definitely highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews