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Panicles
Is it better to take the risk and pursue the glory of fame and fortune, or to live a simpler, more grounded life?
Follow the fates of two families, one wealthy and powerful, the other blue collar, from a chance meeting at a Florida poolside, to the highest levels of politics and power. This sweeping saga of love, war, money, and power leaves each family weighing their duty to their family versus service to their country.
It all leads to a fateful choice—a sacrifice—which could change the course of history.
EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS a contemporary literary exploration of two very different families, with their ties to politics, power and influence, and to each other. [DRM-Free]
“Panicles is a novel that invites reflection with its subtle and significant meaning... Connections, effects, and a great storyline make Panicles a remarkable novel from many points of view.” ~ Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews, Astrid Iustulin (5 STARS)
Books by Richard Robbins: Love, Loss, and Lagniappe Panicles The Tormenting Beauty of Empathy (Coming 2020) More Great Literary Fiction from Evolved Publishing: Red Clay, Yellow Grass by Richard Barager Hannah's Voice by Robb Grindstaff The Temptation of Destiny by D.M. Earley Hidden Colours by Nillu Nasser253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2019
7 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Richard Robbins
4 books1 followerRichard’s novels explore the complexities of family dynamics to address important moral questions, while imparting a strong sense of location.
His first novel, Love, Loss, and Lagniappe takes to the streets of New Orleans and New York City to explore the journey of self-discovery after heartbreaking loss, while revealing the scientific basis for the meaning of life.
His second novel, Panicles, covers the lives of two intertwined families in and around Washington DC, while addressing the price of fame and fortune.
His new release, The Tormenting Beauty of Empathy, follows Hana, a young Guatemalan immigrant mute from childhood tragedy, as her quiet life is upended by the birth of a daughter who turns out to be different. And special. The kind of special that soon draws worldwide attention, for the better, and worse…
Richard was named Louisiana Independent Author of the Year for 2020, and his works have won numerous awards, including the Feathered Quill Book Awards and the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards. He lives in New Orleans and New York City with his wife Lisa, near their beloved grown children.
His first novel, Love, Loss, and Lagniappe takes to the streets of New Orleans and New York City to explore the journey of self-discovery after heartbreaking loss, while revealing the scientific basis for the meaning of life.
His second novel, Panicles, covers the lives of two intertwined families in and around Washington DC, while addressing the price of fame and fortune.
His new release, The Tormenting Beauty of Empathy, follows Hana, a young Guatemalan immigrant mute from childhood tragedy, as her quiet life is upended by the birth of a daughter who turns out to be different. And special. The kind of special that soon draws worldwide attention, for the better, and worse…
Richard was named Louisiana Independent Author of the Year for 2020, and his works have won numerous awards, including the Feathered Quill Book Awards and the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards. He lives in New Orleans and New York City with his wife Lisa, near their beloved grown children.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 21, 2019
It's not often that a book tackles such a broad range of time, but Panicles manages to tell a tale spanning 40 years quickly and efficiently, easily keeping the characters consistent even as they age through the years. Indeed, with so many characters, many other books would become indecipherable, but not so with Panicles. The storylines are clear and concise, and the characters never step on each other's narrative toes, despite multiple POV jumps. I especially loved Emily and Matthew, and wish a little more time could have been spent with them.
Panicles is refreshing in its restraint. Despite recounting some life-altering moments, it never bogs itself down with treating those moments as exceptional. Instead, they all feel like the inevitable next step in each character's journey. At first, this seemed a bit jarring. Something monumental would be revealed, only to be wrapped up in just a chapter or two, often leaving me wondering what else could possibly happen to top that. The truth is, that not everything got "topped" because that's not how life works, and instead of creating something bigger for his characters, Robbins instead revels in them dealing with the consequences.
Overall, Panicles is an easy recommendation for its breezy pace and strong characters.
Panicles is refreshing in its restraint. Despite recounting some life-altering moments, it never bogs itself down with treating those moments as exceptional. Instead, they all feel like the inevitable next step in each character's journey. At first, this seemed a bit jarring. Something monumental would be revealed, only to be wrapped up in just a chapter or two, often leaving me wondering what else could possibly happen to top that. The truth is, that not everything got "topped" because that's not how life works, and instead of creating something bigger for his characters, Robbins instead revels in them dealing with the consequences.
Overall, Panicles is an easy recommendation for its breezy pace and strong characters.
June 3, 2020
A fantastically complicated story. From page one, I was hooked. The author really brought the twists and turns of a political drama to life through skillful dialogue.
To be honest, I don’t read this genre often, but the reviews convinced me to give it a go, and I wasn’t disappointed. The characters felt real, and I enjoyed watching them grow over the decades this story takes place. It was clever the way Robbins carried these characters through the years—some through childhood and well into adulthood—yet each one kept certain quirks that kept their personalities unique, which can be quite difficult with a broad cast. I look forward to reading more of Robbins' work.
To be honest, I don’t read this genre often, but the reviews convinced me to give it a go, and I wasn’t disappointed. The characters felt real, and I enjoyed watching them grow over the decades this story takes place. It was clever the way Robbins carried these characters through the years—some through childhood and well into adulthood—yet each one kept certain quirks that kept their personalities unique, which can be quite difficult with a broad cast. I look forward to reading more of Robbins' work.
January 7, 2020
Panicles is a novel that follows two families, the Waxes and the Murnanes, as they weave in and out of each other’s lives. The Waxes are blue collar and the Murnanes are old money, yet Matthew Wax and Emily Murnane form a lifelong friendship that carries them through death, war, and politics. So much politics.
The story reads like an episode of Law and Order, and I’m not sure if the author intended it that way to translate well to a screen because that’s what we get. The story is very dialogue driven; the characters are aware of their feelings and motivations and voice them and backstory to each other in every interaction, rather than presenting these in the narrative. The story is also chronologically fast-paced, in that we get a brief scene of the important events in their lives, covering 30+ years of the characters’ fortunes and misfortunes.
I think the author could easily have split this book into three or more separate books, due to the wide cast of characters and the richness of their lives that we only get brief glimpses of. That said, there’s a second book coming down the pipeline and hopefully it’ll give us the chance to savor the characters we’ve gotten to know throughout book 1.
The story reads like an episode of Law and Order, and I’m not sure if the author intended it that way to translate well to a screen because that’s what we get. The story is very dialogue driven; the characters are aware of their feelings and motivations and voice them and backstory to each other in every interaction, rather than presenting these in the narrative. The story is also chronologically fast-paced, in that we get a brief scene of the important events in their lives, covering 30+ years of the characters’ fortunes and misfortunes.
I think the author could easily have split this book into three or more separate books, due to the wide cast of characters and the richness of their lives that we only get brief glimpses of. That said, there’s a second book coming down the pipeline and hopefully it’ll give us the chance to savor the characters we’ve gotten to know throughout book 1.
May 18, 2020
A TALE OF TWO FAMILIES
Set in the fast-paced world of politics, Richard Robbins deftly weaves two tales, of two dissimilar families, and the intricate events of their interwoven lives.
Robbins’s main characters are from two families, whose chance meeting, poolside in Florida, intertwines them for the rest of their lives. Two sets of brothers, with virtually the same upbringing and DNA determine their paths through life based on their personality-driven choices. Robbins skillfully plays the characters individualities off each other while a fast moving plot races through the often-tense interaction of the realistic characters. The book moves through time and locations rapidly, giving the reader glimpses into life in Pennsylvania and Maryland, the war in Afghanistan and the always fascinating political scene in Washington, DC.
A great read, especially in this election year, with insights into election campaigns and interesting plot twists to keep the reader guessing. I am waiting for the next book.
Set in the fast-paced world of politics, Richard Robbins deftly weaves two tales, of two dissimilar families, and the intricate events of their interwoven lives.
Robbins’s main characters are from two families, whose chance meeting, poolside in Florida, intertwines them for the rest of their lives. Two sets of brothers, with virtually the same upbringing and DNA determine their paths through life based on their personality-driven choices. Robbins skillfully plays the characters individualities off each other while a fast moving plot races through the often-tense interaction of the realistic characters. The book moves through time and locations rapidly, giving the reader glimpses into life in Pennsylvania and Maryland, the war in Afghanistan and the always fascinating political scene in Washington, DC.
A great read, especially in this election year, with insights into election campaigns and interesting plot twists to keep the reader guessing. I am waiting for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews