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The Dime
The Dime is a bruising but ultimately hopeful small town coming of age tale winding its way through a gauntlet of loss, disability, and abuse. A tragic car crash orphans two sisters, leaving them bound for life, one to a wheelchair and the other as caretaker. An abusive alcoholic dad and criminally derelict mom seed and nurture a paralyzing self-doubt in their son. This story follows three trauma survivors as they intersect for a moment in time, share their scars, and find comfort and resilience together in their paths to healing.
Ten years after their parents' deaths, Lily, now 20, is a cashier at the local Five and Dime, a job provided as charity and pity so she can support herself and her sister Sophie, a socially withdrawn 16-year-old in a wheelchair. Lily desperately wants her sister to have a normal high school experience but Sophie is increasingly uninterested in the world. That is, until Lily catches a shoplifter and concocts a plan to help Sophie.
Pete is the new kid in town. On his 16th birthday, just another day to his parents, Pete decides to help himself to something from the Five and Dime. His plan goes wrong when Lily see his theft and stops him. Rather than put Pete in cuffs, Lily instead offers a trade – he can keep what he stole and she won’t tell, as long as he takes Sophie to the upcoming school dance. "Paxson’s slice-of-life novel presents an unusual kind of found family in a story that’s character-driven and compelling."-- Kirkus Reviews
Ten years after their parents' deaths, Lily, now 20, is a cashier at the local Five and Dime, a job provided as charity and pity so she can support herself and her sister Sophie, a socially withdrawn 16-year-old in a wheelchair. Lily desperately wants her sister to have a normal high school experience but Sophie is increasingly uninterested in the world. That is, until Lily catches a shoplifter and concocts a plan to help Sophie.
Pete is the new kid in town. On his 16th birthday, just another day to his parents, Pete decides to help himself to something from the Five and Dime. His plan goes wrong when Lily see his theft and stops him. Rather than put Pete in cuffs, Lily instead offers a trade – he can keep what he stole and she won’t tell, as long as he takes Sophie to the upcoming school dance. "Paxson’s slice-of-life novel presents an unusual kind of found family in a story that’s character-driven and compelling."-- Kirkus Reviews
Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2021
4 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Mark Paxson
13 books13 followersI've spent my life reading and always wanted to write. About ten years ago, I started One Night in Bridgeport, a legal thriller. Bridgeport is now available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon, and in all other e-reader formats on Smashwords.
Writing that story opened the door to writing. I've since written about 45 short stories -- with two stories published by The First Line and two at www.toasted-cheese.com.
Weed Therapy, about a man's journey to find happiness, is my next novel ready to be published. And, after that, I have three partially completed novels ready for my attention.
In my other life, I'm an attorney. I have two teenagers about ready to start college. I cook, bake, garden ... and read.
You can keep up with my writing news at www.markpaxson.com, and read my latest thoughts on virtually everything else at www.kingmidgetramblings.wordpress.com.
Writing that story opened the door to writing. I've since written about 45 short stories -- with two stories published by The First Line and two at www.toasted-cheese.com.
Weed Therapy, about a man's journey to find happiness, is my next novel ready to be published. And, after that, I have three partially completed novels ready for my attention.
In my other life, I'm an attorney. I have two teenagers about ready to start college. I cook, bake, garden ... and read.
You can keep up with my writing news at www.markpaxson.com, and read my latest thoughts on virtually everything else at www.kingmidgetramblings.wordpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 13, 2021
Although The Dime centers around the lives of three young people (two teenagers and a young adult), it transcends a typical YA novel in that the characters are dealing with real-life issues (parental death, disability, abuse) that go well beyond typical teenage angst. This makes it relatable to all, especially since Paxson's evocative writing stirs feelings and emotions in the reader that rise above the story itself.
The three main characters are fully dimensional and the storytelling rich. Even The Dime's old owner, Mr. Mooney, shines, and I loved getting to know him as the story progressed, discovering there was more to him than meets the eye.
The Dime is another wonderful novel by Paxson, and if he decides to continue Lily, Sophie, and Pete's story in the future, I'll happily come along for the ride.
The three main characters are fully dimensional and the storytelling rich. Even The Dime's old owner, Mr. Mooney, shines, and I loved getting to know him as the story progressed, discovering there was more to him than meets the eye.
The Dime is another wonderful novel by Paxson, and if he decides to continue Lily, Sophie, and Pete's story in the future, I'll happily come along for the ride.
July 4, 2021
This book is a deep dive into the lives and emotions of three young people who must deal with different forms of loss and trauma. Pete, Lily, and Sophie become a family of sorts in the course of the story, with the consequent joys and sorrows.
The characters are realistic and relatable. Each one tells his or her story in first person; other characters also make brief appearances in the same way, but each section is clearly labelled with the speaker's name, so there is no confusion about who is who. Flashbacks and reminiscences are inserted frequently into the main narrative, and I did get a bit confused a few times as to whether I was in the past or the narrative present.
The characters' emotional ups and downs are shown in detail as they deal with a variety of challenges. The shifting point of view allows the reader to experience the same event from different perspectives, which adds depth to the story but also slows down the forward motion, especially in the first half of the book. After that, external events take precedence and the pace picks up.
This is both a heart-wrenching and heart-warming story that almost anyone can relate to. Recommended!
The characters are realistic and relatable. Each one tells his or her story in first person; other characters also make brief appearances in the same way, but each section is clearly labelled with the speaker's name, so there is no confusion about who is who. Flashbacks and reminiscences are inserted frequently into the main narrative, and I did get a bit confused a few times as to whether I was in the past or the narrative present.
The characters' emotional ups and downs are shown in detail as they deal with a variety of challenges. The shifting point of view allows the reader to experience the same event from different perspectives, which adds depth to the story but also slows down the forward motion, especially in the first half of the book. After that, external events take precedence and the pace picks up.
This is both a heart-wrenching and heart-warming story that almost anyone can relate to. Recommended!
September 24, 2021
I’ve finally managed to stop crying long enough to write this review. This book broke my heart! These characters go through so much in their young lives. I hated some of the secondary characters, like really, really hated them (which just goes to show how well written they are, to evoke that much of a reaction). Although they attempt to justify their actions, I still couldn’t forgive them. The author writes the characters/small town setting/dialogue in such a way that I could picture it/them all vividly. The sense of hopelessness at living in such a small place with a lack of employment and opportunities. I love how Lily, Peter and Sophie don’t let the lack of opportunities hold them back and all dream of something more. The family unit they made was so heart-warming, so I can’t say much without giving away spoilers, but I really hope the author writes a follow up to this story, because I need to know what happens next for them! Beautifully written, highly recommend.
May 17, 2024
Excellent story that held my interest throughout. I'll be in the Northville area this summer; too bad I can't check out the Dime and see how everyone is doing.
February 1, 2026
What I love most about The Dime is what you see on the cover, this juxtaposition of dark and light depicting three troubled people outlined in black—one of them in a wheelchair — staring out at a sea of light. They stand at the very edge of devastation, a dark past, but their toes touch the light, that well-spring of hope. You can see how close they are. You can see the love. And you can also see the dark obstacles still before them. Paxson does not draw back from the darkness—he takes us right into the center of it. And he also shows us hope, the human connection that can lift us up and make us whole.
The story begins with Lily, a young woman stuck in a deadend job, desperately trying to be a mom to her little sister after their parents are killed in an accident that left Sophie, a youngster full of life, unable to walk. Lily suffers from survivor’s guilt as well as sense of hopelessness, feeling nothing she can do will ever help her sister. Blackmailing Pete into asking Sophie to a dance is a wild, reckless, last ditch hope that somehow, something will bring this girl back to life, give her some happiness.
Pete’s story is even sadder than that of Lilly and Sophie. He is severely wounded in his own way. His father physically and mentally abuses him while his mother who looks the other way and neglects him. He fights his own demons too, a depression that manifests itself as dark tentacles that want to pull him under. Despite this he has a good heart. He yearns for something better, brighter.
Sophie too feels helpless, stuck in a chair that confines her and limits her opportunities. She has no friends at school. She eats alone in the cafeteria. And yet she has a bit of spunk. When Pete approaches her to ask her to a dance, as Lily blackmailed him to do, he hesitates. He feels for Sophie, but also feels his own inadequacy. She is the one who end up asking him to the dance!
What unfolds from here is how these three characters end up helping each other see themselves and each other in new, positive ways. It’s a story of love, friendship, and found family. How they evolve and slowly bloom is not a straight-forward path. It has its dips and curves. But the ending will leave you feeling hopeful. At least for two of these characters. One falls off the page at the end. No one knows where they’ve gone, what they’re doing. Which makes me think there might be a sequel on the horizon. I hope so. In the meantime, I’ll be checking out some of his other books.
The story begins with Lily, a young woman stuck in a deadend job, desperately trying to be a mom to her little sister after their parents are killed in an accident that left Sophie, a youngster full of life, unable to walk. Lily suffers from survivor’s guilt as well as sense of hopelessness, feeling nothing she can do will ever help her sister. Blackmailing Pete into asking Sophie to a dance is a wild, reckless, last ditch hope that somehow, something will bring this girl back to life, give her some happiness.
Pete’s story is even sadder than that of Lilly and Sophie. He is severely wounded in his own way. His father physically and mentally abuses him while his mother who looks the other way and neglects him. He fights his own demons too, a depression that manifests itself as dark tentacles that want to pull him under. Despite this he has a good heart. He yearns for something better, brighter.
Sophie too feels helpless, stuck in a chair that confines her and limits her opportunities. She has no friends at school. She eats alone in the cafeteria. And yet she has a bit of spunk. When Pete approaches her to ask her to a dance, as Lily blackmailed him to do, he hesitates. He feels for Sophie, but also feels his own inadequacy. She is the one who end up asking him to the dance!
What unfolds from here is how these three characters end up helping each other see themselves and each other in new, positive ways. It’s a story of love, friendship, and found family. How they evolve and slowly bloom is not a straight-forward path. It has its dips and curves. But the ending will leave you feeling hopeful. At least for two of these characters. One falls off the page at the end. No one knows where they’ve gone, what they’re doing. Which makes me think there might be a sequel on the horizon. I hope so. In the meantime, I’ll be checking out some of his other books.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews