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Run J Run
Jeremy, a high school English teacher coming to grips with a shattered marriage and haunted by the brother he lost, unexpectedly falls in love with his best friend, Zak. Attractive, wildly unconventional, and happy in an open relationship with his partner Annie, Zak seems to embody everything missing from Jeremy’s life, but when the arrest and death of a marginalized student at the Brooklyn high school where they both teach trigger Zak’s mental breakdown and slow descent, Jeremy and Annie are compelled to cross boundaries, both external and internal, in a desperate attempt to save him.“This gripping story, written with a great deal of graphic detail, compassion, drama, and a detailed sense of place, takes us into the deepest recesses of trauma and makes us look at family and therapy in unconventional but convincing ways. It is intricately plotted and unpredictable.” H. Nigel Thomas, author of No Safeguards, finalist for the Paragraphe Hugh MacLennan Prize for fiction“Run J Run is a compelling chronicle of a tumultuous, erotically charged friendship imperilled by madness. Sokol charts these struggles expertly and compassionately, even as her narrative pushes buttons, defies categories and conventions, and breaks rules….” David Demchuk, author of The Bone Mother, nominee for the Giller Prize and winner of the Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Fiction of the Fantastic“Sokol dares to go to that unexplored place where mental illness intersects with the complexities of sexuality and the result is surprisingly hopeful. The book’s social critique is not lost in abstract theory but is solidly rooted in character. There are living breathing people here.” Barry Webster, author of The Lava in My Bones, finalist for the Lambda Literary Award“Run J Run is a sophisticated depiction of sexual awakening and mental illness. It seamlessly navigates the deeply personal and political with a scopious understanding of the human psyche. Marvellous, compelling and vital.” Arshad Kahn, filmmaker
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2019
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Su J. Sokol
9 books31 followersSu J Sokol is a social rights activist and a writer of speculative and interstitial fiction. Cycling to Asylum, xyr debut novel, was long-listed for the Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic; its French translation, Les lignes invisibles, is a finalist for the Prix de traduction de la Fondation Cole. Su’s novels also include Run J Run; and Zee, a finalist for the QWF Janet Savage Blachford Prize for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Five Points on an Invisible Line, the sequel to Cycling to Asylum, is scheduled to be published in the spring of 2025. Su's short fiction and essays have appeared in various publications.
Sokol's short fiction has appeared in various magazines and anthologies including in The Future Fire, Spark: A Creative Anthology, Glittership: an LGBTQ Science Fiction and Fantasy Podcast, After the Orange: Ruin and Recovery (B Cubed Press) and Amazing Stories, and Revue Solaris.
When xe is not writing, battling slumlords, bringing evil bureaucracies to their knees, and smashing borders, Sokol curates and participates in readings and literary events in Canada and abroad.
Sokol's short fiction has appeared in various magazines and anthologies including in The Future Fire, Spark: A Creative Anthology, Glittership: an LGBTQ Science Fiction and Fantasy Podcast, After the Orange: Ruin and Recovery (B Cubed Press) and Amazing Stories, and Revue Solaris.
When xe is not writing, battling slumlords, bringing evil bureaucracies to their knees, and smashing borders, Sokol curates and participates in readings and literary events in Canada and abroad.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 29, 2020
I’m just sitting here, gobsmacked. This novel is incredible. And though I absolutely loved Su Sokol’s, Cycling to Asylum, Run J Run will stay with me a very long time.
Writing characters with complex mental illnesses is often done poorly, using harmful tropes. Not so with this work. It is also heavily nuanced; the characters are anything but one dimensional, and the representation of a polyamorous relationship goes so much deeper. Sokol truly underscores the reality of what it’s like for partners to want to keep their loved one from suffering while not sacrificing the untamed nature of who he really is. Annie, Zak, and J are so believable in their interactions. I just found myself empathizing with each of their points of view and hoping for all three of them when things seemed hopeless.
Every scene is so richly crafted, every emotion palatable. I felt like I was right there, drawn into in every scene. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Writing characters with complex mental illnesses is often done poorly, using harmful tropes. Not so with this work. It is also heavily nuanced; the characters are anything but one dimensional, and the representation of a polyamorous relationship goes so much deeper. Sokol truly underscores the reality of what it’s like for partners to want to keep their loved one from suffering while not sacrificing the untamed nature of who he really is. Annie, Zak, and J are so believable in their interactions. I just found myself empathizing with each of their points of view and hoping for all three of them when things seemed hopeless.
Every scene is so richly crafted, every emotion palatable. I felt like I was right there, drawn into in every scene. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
July 20, 2020
"Run J. Run" tells the story of Zak, a troubled father living in New York. The book is a page-turner, gripping, unpredictable, and surprising. The strength of the book comes out of the author’s willingness to tackle mental health issues without falling into the trap of sensationalizing them. Sokol steers clear of the tendency to simplistically over-label everything and everyone; the book has a rich complexity, particularly evident in the author’s adept handling of Zak’s multi-layered sexuality.
I appreciated the hopefulness in the work. It doesn’t wallow in the darker subject matter but always seems to be looking for a way out. I also found the mutually supportive community surrounding Zak quite moving. I visited Toronto last year and was struck by how the underfunding of mental health services has so negatively impacted the character of the city. Sokol seems to be arguing for the maintenance of social support systems and a refusal to let the weakest fall between the cracks.
I appreciated the hopefulness in the work. It doesn’t wallow in the darker subject matter but always seems to be looking for a way out. I also found the mutually supportive community surrounding Zak quite moving. I visited Toronto last year and was struck by how the underfunding of mental health services has so negatively impacted the character of the city. Sokol seems to be arguing for the maintenance of social support systems and a refusal to let the weakest fall between the cracks.
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June 14, 2019Run J Run is a book that defies boundaries, both in its content and in its own categorization. The story centers around a strong friendship between two teachers, which develops in unexpected directions. In addition to the issues that emerge with this relationship, it soon becomes clear that one of the primary characters has a mysterious, dark past which has left him with significant mental illness that threatens his very life.
Over the course of the book, Sokol manages several agendas in developing her characters and the plot-line. The writing is terrific, but so is her understanding of human nature and the lengths people will go to protect those we love. This is truly a hard book to put down, replete with moments of beauty and depth of spirit. I highly recommend it.
Over the course of the book, Sokol manages several agendas in developing her characters and the plot-line. The writing is terrific, but so is her understanding of human nature and the lengths people will go to protect those we love. This is truly a hard book to put down, replete with moments of beauty and depth of spirit. I highly recommend it.
January 4, 2020
Run J Run was the kind of book that I didn’t want put it down and didn't want it to end. Su Sokol shows so much love and compassion while touching on very sensitive issues. She managed to destigmatize the enjoyment of your chosen sexuality without judgement, while showing sensitivity and enlightenment to mental illness. Su has a way of describing situations that make you feel as if you are actually in the scene watching the chapter evolve. A book worth reading!
June 15, 2019
Great book by a wonderful author! Read her previous book Cycling to Asylum and loved it and with Run J Run, Su proves that she is far from a one hit wonder and that we can expect more great books from her. Run J Run explores issues of friendship, sexuality, gender and how our past explains our present but does not define us. Highly recommend!!!
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August 26, 2019 25, 2019 07:17AM
A book of casual, free flowing beauty. Deeply felt emotions about borders in human existence and the trepidation we encounter in crossing them.
" My best friend is a so and so..." does not suffice anymore. One must gently comprehend that vast field of lived lives to understand these times better. Su Sokol has set up that vast field endearingly.
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A book of casual, free flowing beauty. Deeply felt emotions about borders in human existence and the trepidation we encounter in crossing them.
" My best friend is a so and so..." does not suffice anymore. One must gently comprehend that vast field of lived lives to understand these times better. Su Sokol has set up that vast field endearingly.
delete
May 30, 2019
I absolutely adored this novel. It resonated deep with me, which is probably no surprise since it is so similar in its themes to some of my stories that are the dearest to my heart. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of my comic Some Assembly Required!
July 7, 2019
Su J. Sokol has once again written a brilliant novel, following the success of her first book Cycling to Asylum. In Run J Run, the story-telling is just as captivating, with characters who linger in your heart and mind long after you've finished the book. Courageous, empathetic and riveting!
September 14, 2020
Warning - Adult Content!
The everyman J has unexpectedly fallen for his best friend, the bright and attractive Zak after an ugly divorce has left him in a difficult situation with his daughter. Further complicating the situation, Zak has Annie and two kids of his own. In fact Zak seems to have everything going for him, but his easy going exterior hides a darkness that is pushed to the forefront after an incident at the school both J and Zak work.
From the start of the book, an interplay of love and jealousy is apparent. Will J and Zak work through it and come out the other side? Will J and Annie be able to help Zak work through his mental decline?
The tumultuous relationship is the backbone of the story, but there are multitudinous story threads woven well into a blanket of real life and real life issues. It treats themes of self harm, abuse, racial bias and mental health with a firm, sometimes humorous, but absolutely competent hand.
This book is a terrific read.Not a book for everyone, but it’s a must read if you want meaning in what you consume. It requires a certain amount of discomfort in order to expand your worldview, and this book is comfortably uncomfortable. This is not exactly a beach holiday novel, yet despite the dark themes it is eminently readable. I read this in one sitting, wanting the comfort of the relationship but needing to know that it could survive the deep issues that both J and Zak are dealing with. Run J Run takes the reader in unexpected directions, yet seem entirely natural.
The story is paced well, and the characters relatable and you can like them for all their flaws. In particular the children’s age informed understanding of their place in the relationship, and the impact Zak’s declining mental health has on them is both entertaining and observant. The personal growth throughout the story is also apparent, not only for J and Zak but for some of the minor characters too as their misunderstandings and long held beliefs are challenged and broken down.
The ending is perfectly done, not too saccharine and not at all disappointing, it leaves you wanting exactly the right amount of more.
I received this book in return for an honest review and thank goodness I did... One of the best books I have read this year!
The everyman J has unexpectedly fallen for his best friend, the bright and attractive Zak after an ugly divorce has left him in a difficult situation with his daughter. Further complicating the situation, Zak has Annie and two kids of his own. In fact Zak seems to have everything going for him, but his easy going exterior hides a darkness that is pushed to the forefront after an incident at the school both J and Zak work.
From the start of the book, an interplay of love and jealousy is apparent. Will J and Zak work through it and come out the other side? Will J and Annie be able to help Zak work through his mental decline?
The tumultuous relationship is the backbone of the story, but there are multitudinous story threads woven well into a blanket of real life and real life issues. It treats themes of self harm, abuse, racial bias and mental health with a firm, sometimes humorous, but absolutely competent hand.
This book is a terrific read.Not a book for everyone, but it’s a must read if you want meaning in what you consume. It requires a certain amount of discomfort in order to expand your worldview, and this book is comfortably uncomfortable. This is not exactly a beach holiday novel, yet despite the dark themes it is eminently readable. I read this in one sitting, wanting the comfort of the relationship but needing to know that it could survive the deep issues that both J and Zak are dealing with. Run J Run takes the reader in unexpected directions, yet seem entirely natural.
The story is paced well, and the characters relatable and you can like them for all their flaws. In particular the children’s age informed understanding of their place in the relationship, and the impact Zak’s declining mental health has on them is both entertaining and observant. The personal growth throughout the story is also apparent, not only for J and Zak but for some of the minor characters too as their misunderstandings and long held beliefs are challenged and broken down.
The ending is perfectly done, not too saccharine and not at all disappointing, it leaves you wanting exactly the right amount of more.
I received this book in return for an honest review and thank goodness I did... One of the best books I have read this year!
April 10, 2020
Really good, if extremely intense, fiction exploring love and mental illness. It’s a little hard to know who to recommend this book to, though; don’t read it if you’re not okay with rough sex, suicidal behavior, and memories of severe abuse.
I appreciated the writing (this book was gripping and hard to put down), the characters (social-justice-living teachers and social workers! That’s my people), the exploration of how people’s personal and family histories play out in relationships, and the depictions of bisexuality and polyamory.
As a therapist, there was a lot to like in the depiction of mental illness and therapy, and also a lot to take issue with. I was SO relieved when the therapist finally showed up in the story and she was great, because the narrator was freaking me out with his attempts to solve his lover’s mental health problems.
There were a few over-the-top elements that I could have done without:
I appreciated the writing (this book was gripping and hard to put down), the characters (social-justice-living teachers and social workers! That’s my people), the exploration of how people’s personal and family histories play out in relationships, and the depictions of bisexuality and polyamory.
As a therapist, there was a lot to like in the depiction of mental illness and therapy, and also a lot to take issue with. I was SO relieved when the therapist finally showed up in the story and she was great, because the narrator was freaking me out with his attempts to solve his lover’s mental health problems.
There were a few over-the-top elements that I could have done without:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2020
My review of Su J Sokol's terrific new novel Run J Run is in the print version of the current summer issue of Herizons Magazine.
"I sometimes ask my creative writing students to switch up their P.O.V. characters and write them from different points of view, including narrative voice and gender. In her sophomore novel, Run J Run, it’s as if Su J. Sokol has written her wonderful characters using these exercises as a springboard. It takes some ovaries for a woman to pen a novel about a passionate relationship between bisexual men, but up-till-now mostly straight Jeremy's burgeoning love for his best friend Zak feels authentic, complicated, and messy, just like real desire. Zak starts to crumble due to demons in his past and the way his disintegration complicates his relationship with Jeremy and his partner Annie is the main thrust of the book. Nevertheless, all three struggle to find ways to hold it together for their kids, for each other, and for themselves. So often in a profit driven entertainment industry, whether film or literature, the thrust of the story is unravelment, but it’s clear Sokol wants to show us people who are doing their best, no matter what the odds."
The review isn't in the online edition, but copies are available at your favourite feminist bookstore and from the publisher here.
"I sometimes ask my creative writing students to switch up their P.O.V. characters and write them from different points of view, including narrative voice and gender. In her sophomore novel, Run J Run, it’s as if Su J. Sokol has written her wonderful characters using these exercises as a springboard. It takes some ovaries for a woman to pen a novel about a passionate relationship between bisexual men, but up-till-now mostly straight Jeremy's burgeoning love for his best friend Zak feels authentic, complicated, and messy, just like real desire. Zak starts to crumble due to demons in his past and the way his disintegration complicates his relationship with Jeremy and his partner Annie is the main thrust of the book. Nevertheless, all three struggle to find ways to hold it together for their kids, for each other, and for themselves. So often in a profit driven entertainment industry, whether film or literature, the thrust of the story is unravelment, but it’s clear Sokol wants to show us people who are doing their best, no matter what the odds."
The review isn't in the online edition, but copies are available at your favourite feminist bookstore and from the publisher here.
November 24, 2022
A story about building a non-traditional family and supporting a loved one through a mental health crisis. I read this book in one sitting. Sokol's prose flows easily and the characters felt like people I know—or would like to know. One of the things I like best about Sokol's work is xyr insistence on imagining better families, better communities, and better societies and providing a sort of road map on how to get there through xyr characters and the decisions they make (see also the very excellent Cycling to Asylum). I wish more writers would do this!
The plot itself is gripping—I was on tenterhooks wanting a good outcome for the characters. Be advised that the story deals with suicidality, however. Sensitive readers such as myself may find some scenes stressful.
The plot itself is gripping—I was on tenterhooks wanting a good outcome for the characters. Be advised that the story deals with suicidality, however. Sensitive readers such as myself may find some scenes stressful.
August 24, 2020
Sokol's drama unfolds at first at a slow enough pace that we get an opportunity to meet the characters and indeed "move into the skin," so to speak, of the main character. Once we've "moved in," the pace quickens, and we begin to really feel the love this character has for the other two. Each character brings a story to the table, each has their story to tell. Sokol's ear for dialogue is sharp; her eye for the details of how we love one another equally sharp; her sense of how to, with agility, bring her readers through drama, where to let the drama dip and where to allow it to soar, so keen.
The subject matter in this book is extremely interesting and uniquely explored.
The subject matter in this book is extremely interesting and uniquely explored.
August 4, 2020
I just loved the whole experience... and an experience it was! With times, it had me sobbing, excited, and edge-of-my-seat thrilled. Seriously great eroticism. Bravo. It's an intriguing, though scary story. The polyamory was simply beautiful, the psychiatric depiction riveting, the family relations warm and complex and crazy, like all families. There is much to say about this novel, loads to discover and learn. This novel deserves wide readership.
June 19, 2019
I was so drawn into this story, I missed my stop on the train twice while reading! Sokol is a creative force that opens up the inner worlds of characters in an uncommon way. This book pushes all boundaries - both in terms of genre as well as the emotional landscape of the characters and their relationships. Highly recommend!
December 17, 2022
Starts off with a bang and doesn’t let you down even after you turn the last page.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews