What do you think?
Rate this book
18: A novel of Golf and Life
Craig Cantwell is well known as a journeyman millionaire and 'the best professional golfer who has not won a major.' His successful life as a tour pro is shattered when he is suspended from the PGA Tour. Without a place to compete and with a personal life tangled with drama, Craig has to find his way back to a life he knows. His fight is not with the scions of the tour, the public, or the scores of great golfers who would be his opponents. He has to prevail over the toughest of adversaries - himself. "18" beautifully tells the story of Cantwell and those in his life: Rachelle Keys, the mother of Craig's daughter and a heroic FBI Agent. Kelly Keys, the new 'IT' girl of golf. Thomas Kincaid, agent and lawyer to the rich and scandalous. And Seth Reede, the personal development guru with a past more shocking than any fallen hero. Far more involved than just a tale of athletic triumph, "18" is a story of forgiveness, truth, courage, and redemption.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2020
7 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
John Barnes
258 books198 followersJohn Barnes (born 1957) is an American science fiction author, whose stories often explore questions of individual moral responsibility within a larger social context. Social criticism is woven throughout his plots. The four novels in his Thousand Cultures series pose serious questions about the effects of globalization on isolated societies. Barnes holds a doctorate in theatre and for several years taught in Colorado, where he still lives.
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bar...
See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bar...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 26, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in pre-publication. I had no idea what to expect from this book except that it would have some golf in it. As an avid golfer I looked forward to that being part of the theme and plot line of the book. I will say right up front that in general, I really enjoyed the book, the plot and the characters.
18 is the story of a golfer, but it is really so much more. It’s almost difficult to provide a lot of details on the premise of the book without include spoilers. Craig Cantwell, the main protagonist in this story is a professional golfer, who like many has had ups and downs in his career. When we meet Craig at the outset of the book, he is at the high point – but the author quickly leads us down the path of Craig’s foibles, his self-destruction and ultimately to his redemption. Along the way, we meet other characters. Craig’s love interest Rachelle Keys and her daughter Kelly. We meet Craig’s first teacher, Hank. We meet Seth, a surprising character who had a huge impact on Craig’s life. And we meet another golfer, and the nemesis of the story Zeke Monroe.
What I liked about the book: I really liked Craig. He’s a great character – full of hope, flaws and heart. He is well written. The book has some familiar themes – part of the book reminded me a bit of the story of Scrooge – where the ghosts of Christmas past and future visit him and show him what’s happened to cause people to act the way they do – and Craig has some eye opening experiences that help him heal. I liked how the rest of the plot was woven around Craig’s playing in the US Open Golf event. I liked that there was some difficulty in not having certain things revealed and not having everything in the plot turn out perfectly.
What could be improved: It is a good thing there were years above chapter beginnings because the timing jumped around a lot and had me confused as to where I was in the story. It jumped around a lot from chapter to chapter. Some of the movement was okay – ie going from the golf tournament to the rest of the plot, but it was a little too jumpy. Not sure how you fix that when you are weaving two themes together like that.
Overall I think it was a great effort and I enjoyed the book.
18 is the story of a golfer, but it is really so much more. It’s almost difficult to provide a lot of details on the premise of the book without include spoilers. Craig Cantwell, the main protagonist in this story is a professional golfer, who like many has had ups and downs in his career. When we meet Craig at the outset of the book, he is at the high point – but the author quickly leads us down the path of Craig’s foibles, his self-destruction and ultimately to his redemption. Along the way, we meet other characters. Craig’s love interest Rachelle Keys and her daughter Kelly. We meet Craig’s first teacher, Hank. We meet Seth, a surprising character who had a huge impact on Craig’s life. And we meet another golfer, and the nemesis of the story Zeke Monroe.
What I liked about the book: I really liked Craig. He’s a great character – full of hope, flaws and heart. He is well written. The book has some familiar themes – part of the book reminded me a bit of the story of Scrooge – where the ghosts of Christmas past and future visit him and show him what’s happened to cause people to act the way they do – and Craig has some eye opening experiences that help him heal. I liked how the rest of the plot was woven around Craig’s playing in the US Open Golf event. I liked that there was some difficulty in not having certain things revealed and not having everything in the plot turn out perfectly.
What could be improved: It is a good thing there were years above chapter beginnings because the timing jumped around a lot and had me confused as to where I was in the story. It jumped around a lot from chapter to chapter. Some of the movement was okay – ie going from the golf tournament to the rest of the plot, but it was a little too jumpy. Not sure how you fix that when you are weaving two themes together like that.
Overall I think it was a great effort and I enjoyed the book.
November 22, 2022
Would you read a book that started with symbolism and a description of a Golf Tournament? Yes, you would, because… the narrative is nothing short of intriguing. There is little chance that you’ll get bored by the start of the story, even if you don’t like golf! JK Barnes narrative and plot is just too interesting, and the the plot will grow in quality as it matures.
The novel starts off… spiritually, but hold on to each word as the thriller and mystery parts are just making its way to you and it will be a multilayered story, impressive to follow and well narrated.
Setting the tone for the book, although taking a while to, the author explains the intricate processes of golf, the courses and the golfer’s evolution as a professional along with due drawbacks of the game. I think that, given that most people don’t understand the sport, or see it, the author had a need to at least give a clear image of the whole atmosphere around the game and the mentality of the players, to allow us readers, to immerse ourselves on the story right in the prologue.
As the first chapter starts, we get a complex and multi-layered, multi-perspective and wonderfully accurate description of physical assault. I know what you are thinking, physical assault is not “wonderful”, but the accuracy of description of the stages of thought of the victim is wonderful. In less than a paragraph you can understand what goes on in the head of people that suffer it and why it continues in societies such as the United States.
The rape aspect is… visceral. It shows so many aspects of the mind of the woman, and how the American society is made to protect men. It’s evil, true, repulsive, but needs to be said.
The narrative is good, surprising and controlled. As you read this story, you will feel yourself paying close attention to the narrator’s voice as the scenes unfold in your mind, although, sometimes the descriptions will seem a tad lengthy.
There is a tone of motivational and inspirational background in parts of the story that will teach soft lessons many of us need to hear, and apply on our lives, taught by the characters and their experiences.
This book can be felt as personal by many who will read it, as it touches in things like trauma, guilt, anxiety and impulses to which many readers will relate to, but above all, the feelings of despair and lack of control on the events of life that cripple many people’s sense of self and worthiness, the theme of self-forgiveness and compassion towards ourselves and others, and that makes this book worthy of coming back to. Nice.
While reading, we can feel touched by many of the scenes, interactions and revelations that our main character, Craig goes through, and we get the intended message of the Author with each scene. Yes, it’s true that some scenes feel “pre-set”, and follow the standards of American novels, and many characters too feel like this, when they are secondary or third-role characters, BUT, that does not, in any way impede us from enjoying this story as it runs smoothly with each chapter adding another piece to the puzzle.
The author achieved what he wanted with this novel, that was to inspire and relate with its target audience, and send a clear message of hope and show a path towards a better understanding of oneself and our choices while providing an entertaining story at the same time.
It’s surprising when the story turns to other characters and moves from present to past and from past to present in order to better explain what happened and why many of the characters came to live the lives they did, and do, why they did what they did, and also, how the perception of the main character, and consequently ours, would change towards them, something that you don’t find everyday in a book. Well done by the JK Barnes.
An jokes! Phrases like “Well, shit, Mr. Manes. You might be the exception. Of course, if you’re not, I’ll pop a cap in your ass.” and why the pope shits on the woods will be very present and scattered mercilessly throughout this book.
There is a lot of golf-slang, BUT, you don’t have to know, or enjoy golf to read this, and you might actually watch a game of two after reading this novel about it. Yes, this novel is THAT good.
I loved the way the author made this story with time-lapses, and brought the pieces together slowly, tying up the events when their time came, and that it was totally understandable and deepened the story attractiveness and entertainment. It was beautiful to read and to realize that its all making sense as you read. Be patient, this story might seem boring at first, but keep with it, it only gets better as you read, trust me.
Pros:
Textbook perfect narrative. Exemplary
Excellent plot and timeline manipulation in order to show the events and the various perspectives
Highly inspirational
It makes golf look great and fun
Highly relatable to every reader in one way or another, this is a must read
Cons:
The vagueness of description of some characters, and the terms used to describe them took out their imagery, at times feeling “rushed”, but this is understandable.
Favourite Character: Craig.
Lesson of the book: Be in the moment and forgive yourself.
Cover score: 8.0/10
Book Score: 8.7/10
The novel starts off… spiritually, but hold on to each word as the thriller and mystery parts are just making its way to you and it will be a multilayered story, impressive to follow and well narrated.
Setting the tone for the book, although taking a while to, the author explains the intricate processes of golf, the courses and the golfer’s evolution as a professional along with due drawbacks of the game. I think that, given that most people don’t understand the sport, or see it, the author had a need to at least give a clear image of the whole atmosphere around the game and the mentality of the players, to allow us readers, to immerse ourselves on the story right in the prologue.
As the first chapter starts, we get a complex and multi-layered, multi-perspective and wonderfully accurate description of physical assault. I know what you are thinking, physical assault is not “wonderful”, but the accuracy of description of the stages of thought of the victim is wonderful. In less than a paragraph you can understand what goes on in the head of people that suffer it and why it continues in societies such as the United States.
The rape aspect is… visceral. It shows so many aspects of the mind of the woman, and how the American society is made to protect men. It’s evil, true, repulsive, but needs to be said.
The narrative is good, surprising and controlled. As you read this story, you will feel yourself paying close attention to the narrator’s voice as the scenes unfold in your mind, although, sometimes the descriptions will seem a tad lengthy.
There is a tone of motivational and inspirational background in parts of the story that will teach soft lessons many of us need to hear, and apply on our lives, taught by the characters and their experiences.
This book can be felt as personal by many who will read it, as it touches in things like trauma, guilt, anxiety and impulses to which many readers will relate to, but above all, the feelings of despair and lack of control on the events of life that cripple many people’s sense of self and worthiness, the theme of self-forgiveness and compassion towards ourselves and others, and that makes this book worthy of coming back to. Nice.
While reading, we can feel touched by many of the scenes, interactions and revelations that our main character, Craig goes through, and we get the intended message of the Author with each scene. Yes, it’s true that some scenes feel “pre-set”, and follow the standards of American novels, and many characters too feel like this, when they are secondary or third-role characters, BUT, that does not, in any way impede us from enjoying this story as it runs smoothly with each chapter adding another piece to the puzzle.
The author achieved what he wanted with this novel, that was to inspire and relate with its target audience, and send a clear message of hope and show a path towards a better understanding of oneself and our choices while providing an entertaining story at the same time.
It’s surprising when the story turns to other characters and moves from present to past and from past to present in order to better explain what happened and why many of the characters came to live the lives they did, and do, why they did what they did, and also, how the perception of the main character, and consequently ours, would change towards them, something that you don’t find everyday in a book. Well done by the JK Barnes.
An jokes! Phrases like “Well, shit, Mr. Manes. You might be the exception. Of course, if you’re not, I’ll pop a cap in your ass.” and why the pope shits on the woods will be very present and scattered mercilessly throughout this book.
There is a lot of golf-slang, BUT, you don’t have to know, or enjoy golf to read this, and you might actually watch a game of two after reading this novel about it. Yes, this novel is THAT good.
I loved the way the author made this story with time-lapses, and brought the pieces together slowly, tying up the events when their time came, and that it was totally understandable and deepened the story attractiveness and entertainment. It was beautiful to read and to realize that its all making sense as you read. Be patient, this story might seem boring at first, but keep with it, it only gets better as you read, trust me.
Pros:
Textbook perfect narrative. Exemplary
Excellent plot and timeline manipulation in order to show the events and the various perspectives
Highly inspirational
It makes golf look great and fun
Highly relatable to every reader in one way or another, this is a must read
Cons:
The vagueness of description of some characters, and the terms used to describe them took out their imagery, at times feeling “rushed”, but this is understandable.
Favourite Character: Craig.
Lesson of the book: Be in the moment and forgive yourself.
Cover score: 8.0/10
Book Score: 8.7/10
February 24, 2023
Golf: A Solo Endeavor Toward Enlightenment
The entry to this story felt like self-help claptrap; the progression into tangled relationships with family, lovers, children began to shift as multiple story lines formed. Using golf as a unifying thread (to this golfer) and drawing a tighter knot around the narrative brought this novel from "delete now" to a daylong read straight through.
Thanks, Mr. Barnes!
The entry to this story felt like self-help claptrap; the progression into tangled relationships with family, lovers, children began to shift as multiple story lines formed. Using golf as a unifying thread (to this golfer) and drawing a tighter knot around the narrative brought this novel from "delete now" to a daylong read straight through.
Thanks, Mr. Barnes!
January 5, 2022
Everything you could ask of a great read.
The golf was real and exciting, made more so by the humanity conveyed in the stories of the golfers, and the adventure of a surrounding crime story. This was an unexpected treasure.
The golf was real and exciting, made more so by the humanity conveyed in the stories of the golfers, and the adventure of a surrounding crime story. This was an unexpected treasure.
November 28, 2025
bad language
Might be a decent story but the “f” word doesn’t help it . Not for me , I won’t be getting anymore books by this author.
Might be a decent story but the “f” word doesn’t help it . Not for me , I won’t be getting anymore books by this author.
May 20, 2020
18: A Novel of Life and Golf has many moving parts, but the more captivating parts for me, as a reader and non-golfer, were the golfing scenes and how those scenes tie into life as we know it. Having something to keep us focused on rising again, living again, just "being" again...that's what Craig Cantwell, the main character, gives readers. '18 will have you believing and hoping again. I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews