Jerusalem Gap: A Romance

by T.R. Pearson

Donald Atwell didn't want a dog. He already had an ex-wife, a balky truck, and a cat that was part Persian and part Taliban. But when a whiskery Blue-Ridge hillbilly put his puppy out on the side of the road, Donald didn't have much choice but to pick her up and take her in. Jerusalem Gap is the story of what happened next. Of how, in saving a mutt, one prickly old cuss saved himself a little as well.

Genres: Fiction, Animals, Dogs, Contemporary, Humor, Relationships, Book Club

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

Thomas Reid Pearson is an American novelist born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is the author of seventeen novels and four works of non-fiction under his own name, including A Short History of a Small Place, Cry Me A River, Jerusalem Gap, and Seaworthy, and has written three additional novels -- Ranchero, Beluga, and Nowhere Nice -- under the pseudonym Rick Gavin. Pearson has also ghostwritten several other books, both fiction and nonfiction, and has written or co-written various feature film and TV scripts.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

a meditative book that revolves around the relationship of a man, a dog, and the lives that intersect with theirs. there's nothing dramatic, much that is lovely. nothing much happens, then something does, and then the next thing happens. what made me decide to download this book was the fact that it involved the human animal relationship. what made me keep reading it was i wanted to spend more time with Donald and Nova and Abagail and Ethan and....it's not usual to read a book where no one is demanding something from someone else because they aren't getting what they want. here, people relate with one another out of pleasure rather than neediness. no one's asking for things that aren't available. it's very refreshing. i've now downloaded a bunch of other t.r. pearson books and am looking forward to sitting comfortably down with the next one.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A completely charming book about life in the Blue Ridge mountains. Much of the book seems to be a reflection that life is not who you are or what you are given, but how you look at things. It is the story of a divorced handyman and a dog. But it is also the story of the simplicity of kindness and the importance accepting those around you (and yourself) for what they are.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been years since I read anything by Pearson. When this book became available as a free ebook, I decided to try him again. So glad that I did.

This gem is a small glimpse into one man's ordinary life. This is the kind of book that shows that there is a story in everyone's existence. The story just has to find the right person to tell it.

On the surface there is not much to Donald Atwell's life. He doesn't seem to do much at all. But his relationship with his dog, Nova, and the people he associates with shows the reader that there is much more to him.

Pearson writes so well that the story is easy to read and feels like it was easy to write. Of course, that means a lot of hard work went into this novella.

I recommend this book to dog lovers, folks who enjoy the mountains of Virginia and all those whose lives appear simple on the surface.

We all have the depths of Donald Atwell, unfortunately Pearson will not be writing our stories. I am grateful that Pearson wrote this tale and I was able to read it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ostensibly this was the story of a man and a dog, but it was more the man and the people around him. I love T. R. Pearson's characters and I know those people, some decent, some not so much. I can add that Mr. Pearson must have seen Alzheimer's up close and personal. His descriptions of the care facility will make you laugh the laugh of someone who has seen it up close. He captured the absurdities, the relentless wandering, the repeated conversations of people who relentlessly want to go to a home they can't remember and be someone they have forgotten.

As always, this author can write sentences and paragraphs that I have to read more than once. Beautiful, evocative sentences that grab me and make me wish I could do that.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it a lot - but I wouldn't have read it if I had caught the 'Old Yeller comparison in the synopsis, I wouldn't have read it...

[J Bussey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man saves dog, dog in turn saves man. Short and sweet little book. I love the narrator's dry, straight-faced humor. There is of course the bittersweet ending, but it's not fulsome or maudlin like most such books. Great descriptions of rural Virginia.

[Laura Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd forgotten how rich T.R. Pearson's writing is, despite its simplicity. I'm crazy about neither dogs nor the elderly, and this book managed to break my heart about both. I'm going on a Pearson spree for sure!

[Linda Kitchens · Rating 5 out of 5]

T. R. Pearson writes as though he is sitting in a rocker on the porch in conversation with you. He is a national treasure and “Jerusalem Gap” is one of his best. If you have ever loved an animal, then this is the book for you.

[Mary O. Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story

I rarely read a book in one or two sittings, but this one captured my heart. Characters were well developed, plot was lovingly rendered. It is a grown up version of "a boy and his dog" story, a meandering self discovery journey. So glad I found the story.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this short novel about a man and his dog. If you own a pet, or have ever loved a pet, this book is for you. Folksy first person narrative, great characters, wonderful story line.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not at all what I expected from this book

I loved this story, I have had so many animals turn up in my life like this! I swore I wouldn't let it get me remembering or to shed a tear or two, but it didn't work. Well written and beautiful as well as just a little heartbreaking. I share my couch with two rescues, one which is getting up in years and the other with health problems, the third, who was in her way to be put to sleep, still suffers with panic attacks but I do my best to keep her calm. For all those wonderful dogs that someone else threw away who found their new homes for what may have been just as simple as Nova's reason for being a part of saving a life. Loved this story!

[Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, any story with a dog character the likes of Nova, is probably going to get an extra star because I'm a sucker and that's just how I roll. There I said it. As to the book itself, a gem for sure. Pearson's voice it one that rings clear and true in his characters. Everyone can relate to him as a human and it makes reading his work a delight. He is fair with content and selective with prose, his settings make you long for the outdoors and the hikes of summer. I credit him with my ability to see forward into his work without it being overstated and obvious. Definitely, an enjoyable book.

[Barbara Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well if you need a good cry...

Mr Pearson knows his way around a story. A puppy gets put on the side of the road just in time to be picked up by a man who has truck engine trouble again and doesn't really want a dog but can't bare to leave such a scraggly specimen so close to a busy road where it will surely get run over before it figures out to move out of the way. thus begins a Romance full of deep eye glances and sweet smiles. Enjoy!

[J. A. Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about a man and his relationship with his mixed breed collie. The slow, gentle pace of this read is what makes it worth reading. Simple people, simple life, all drawn together through each other and the dog. I'm not sure I've read T.R. Pearson before, but will definitely buy more.

[Hannah Reves · Rating 4 out of 5]

First T.R. Pearson book down

Great, easy-going book about the life and legacy of a man and his dog and all the joys and hardships that brings. A good read with a teary ending all too familiar for pet owners.

[Bonnie Lucke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful,touching

An awesome, insightful and wonderful story about a man who found his mate by the side of the road in the form of a puppy. Tr Pearson you gave me joy and tears. Thank you. R. Miller

[Kathleen Esche · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wonderful Story

I read this book once before but read it again since I don’t really remember the details of books I’ve read before. It’s a nice simple story with a dog and old folks at a nursing home and yellow orchids. Please read it. You’ll be glad you did.

[Carrie L. Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So touching, such detail - I loved this!

I Love Dogs too, and Horses of course. You can tell a kindred soul when you read his words. The scenery and people are real, like the feelings you'll get. It's wonderful really.

[Daniel B. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another dog lost…

This pup helps the protagonist live through his loneliness. The pup dies after helping her owner recover from his life’s losses. A sweet enough story but a little harsh at the end.

[Nancy H. Gaenssley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Pearson just gets better & better

Had a dog growing up . Hard to loose one so I do appreciate the author giving us such a sweet tale. Not surprising Donald got on better with his dog than he did with the ex wife. The dog seemed more human than she did.

[wanitafrankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great dog story.

Honest to goodness, this story hit real close to my heart.
I think the use of more punctuation would help.
I have read four of his stories, because he has a good story to tell.

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written

Such a wonderful story. We are all gifted with life, and we all have a purpose! This story made me laugh as well as cry. If you've ever had a pet which you love dearly, you will love this book! Saying goodbye is simply the hardest thing you'll ever do.

[Colin Kitchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle story about a guy living in the Appalchania mountains who finds a dog. The dog changes his outlook in life a little, it’s a rambling story with little characterisation. His bond with the dog is good.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA

[Wayne Kuykendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but not great.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has ever loved a dog.

[Judy Calvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and touching story

I could not put it down. Would recommend this book to anyone who loves animals and a great love story.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads like a conversation. It is a story about a man's love for his dog. Simple, descriptive, easy to read, and very good. Really enjoyed it.

[Tracie Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

From ‘Jerusalem Gap’ by T.R. Pearson. I just love the writing style. Plain spoken yet profound.

[Jon Glazer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem from TR Pearson. I've read most of his novels, and loved each one.