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The Ravaged
The highly anticipated debut novel from Norman Reedus, acclaimed star of The Walking Dead.
"This country wasn't built on good--only fought for with good intentions."
Jack's dying mother told him, "Run and never look back." He spent his life amassing wealth, but after losing his family, he has no one to share it with. Alone with his demons and a backpack, he heads to South America, where people with nothing teach him what matters.
After thrashing his dog-abusing boss, Hunter learns of his father's death in a mysterious fire. Biker buddies Nugget and Itch ride with him from North Carolina to California. Stories from his father's life help ease the struggles of small-town Americans. Hunter discovers a secret past.
Seventeen-year-old Anne flees Tennessee after her older brother attacks her. She whacks him with a skillet and hops a freight to Alabama with her best friend. Living hand to mouth, they build friendships, uncovering something they never had: family.
The Ravaged is a fast-paced, up-in-your-face novel of gritty realism, exploring three different personal quests with eerily parallel outcomes.
"This country wasn't built on good--only fought for with good intentions."
Jack's dying mother told him, "Run and never look back." He spent his life amassing wealth, but after losing his family, he has no one to share it with. Alone with his demons and a backpack, he heads to South America, where people with nothing teach him what matters.
After thrashing his dog-abusing boss, Hunter learns of his father's death in a mysterious fire. Biker buddies Nugget and Itch ride with him from North Carolina to California. Stories from his father's life help ease the struggles of small-town Americans. Hunter discovers a secret past.
Seventeen-year-old Anne flees Tennessee after her older brother attacks her. She whacks him with a skillet and hops a freight to Alabama with her best friend. Living hand to mouth, they build friendships, uncovering something they never had: family.
The Ravaged is a fast-paced, up-in-your-face novel of gritty realism, exploring three different personal quests with eerily parallel outcomes.
292 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2022
332 people are currently reading
7569 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
April 27, 2022
DNF After one chapter which included a section of step by step instructions on how to sharpen a mower blade, and this lovely turn of phrase, “he wraps an arm around her waist and squeezes an ass as firm as a helium-filled balloon.”
Thanks but, really, no thanks.
Thanks but, really, no thanks.
May 29, 2022
"You ran away from a world you controlled. Because you couldn't control what you had lost."
1.5/5 rounded down to a 1.
Norman Reedus, you're an incredible actor, an amazing artist, and such an engaging person. And I'm sorry, I am so sorry that I absolutely hated this book. If I weren't so die-hard against not DNF'ing a book, I would have put it down weeks ago.
I'll say this, for context: I'm an avid Norman Reedus fan, and that's why I took an interest in this book. Straight fiction isn't my preferred genre, but when I saw that Norman had a book coming out, I preordered it the day he dropped it on Instagram. I didn't know what to expect from it, only that my expectations were high because I thought so highly of Norman Reedus.
This book was awful. But, before I get to the bad, let me tell you about the good - because, for the worst books on earth, there are least some redeeming qualities. Number one: this book is absolutely gorgeous. Zena Kanes designed a beautiful cover illustration, and the actual binding of the hardcover is stunning. Number two: Norman Reedus is a pretty decent writer. If we're just talking about voice and structure, sure, this book was fine. I could practically hear Reedus's voice as I read this, and no one else but him could ever do the audiobook version.
That's it. Those are the two good things.
If I had to summarize what I disliked most about this book, it would be this - The Ravaged is written for the same person it was written by: an woman-loving, tough-as-nails, red-blooded, all-American man. I'm very certain that there'll be a lot of American men that loved his book, and that they'll tell their friends 'see? this guy understands what it means to be a real patriot!'
Yeah, yikes.
This book could not possibly come across as anything else other than something written by a cishet man. Reedus seems to be physically incapable of talking about any female characters without describing their breasts, ass, or how sexy (or distinctly not sexy) they are. I know a lot of other reviewers have mentioned this, but I'm sorry, I really have to as well: page 8, "he wraps an arm around her waist and squeezes an ass as firm as a helium-filled balloon." Jesus Christ.
Something else that I know other reviewers encountered (and subsequently DNF'd because of) was that Reedus goes into a lot of how-to and mechanical instruction in this book. A lot. And no, the page-long step-by-step instructions on how to clean out a lawnmower on page 7 isn't the only instance of this. There's an old writing adage that says 'write what you know' - but shit, you don't need to write everything you know. A third of this book reads as an instruction manual for fixing motorcycles or investing in the stock market, and I have no idea why. I have no idea, because not only does it add nothing to the story, but it's not even for anyone. There cannot possibly be a single reader on this planet who read those step-by-steps and felt more connected to this book coming out of it than going in.
Relatedly, this book isn't a work of fiction. It's really not. It's Norman Reedus's personal beliefs and manifesto wrapped up in characters based on people in his life. Is that what most fictional books do? Yes, of course. But Jesus, I don't need to be lectured on how 'all kids today do is use their smartphones' and 'I've wasted my life working too hard' by a famous, cishet White man with a $25 million networth. That's where I think I lose it with this book, a little: all of the characters are down-on-their luck, and barely surviving, and the lesson there is supposed to be something along the lines of 'you don't need money to survive, celebrities doing philanthropic work is all for show, society would be so much better without capitalism.' All of this, from... Norman Reedus.
I should also say that, because I was a Norman Reedus fan prior to this book, I know a little about his background. I know that the character of Jack was directly inspired by a Fortune Five Hundred guy he met on a plane once. Hell, Reedus even snuck his own tattoo and personal brand into Hunter's character. What Norman Reedus should have written was a biography: a way to tell his stories with meaning, and to tell people what he thinks, rather than trying to make his ideals seem more palatable because they're coming out of a homeless character's mouth.
Now, let me talk about The Ravaged as a story. We have three main characters, whose lives and plight we get insight into: Hunter, Jack, and Anne. And, somehow? I don't care about any of them. None of them have distinct personalities, none of them have distinct voices, and for some reason, Reedus thinks that giving his characters accents equals giving them character traits. It's so bizarre.
On top of that? Reedus shows his entire hand in the first... fifty pages of the book, maybe? We know all of our characters' backstories, all of their tragic pasts, no secrets or holds barred, within the first few chapters. What is the rest of this book about, then, you ask? Nothing. It's about nothing. It's about our three protagonists meeting new people, explaining their exact. Same. Tragic. Backstories. To these new people again, and again, and again. Nothing new, nothing surprising, nothing even thought-provoking. And the way in which these characters speak is so unrealistic, so stiff, so incredibly scripted, that it doesn't even feel like they're having believable conversations. Not a single person on this planet talks the way Hunter or Jack or Anne do, because Reedus couldn't seem to decide whether to make his characters sound like hillbillies or philosophers. There is a way to blend both, but Reedus really didn't do it.
As for the side characters? They're a lot of the same. I can't remember a single name of a single side character, because they might as well all have been identical. On top of that, every side character our heroes meet know an inordinate amount of knowledge about their local area. It's another instance of Reedus infodumping his knowledge for no reason other than to show the reader that he does, in fact, know a whole lot about American history and geography.
If I take anything out of this book, though? I think I'll take Hunter's kindness. That was the only thing I actually liked about any character in this book - the way that Hunter will do everything and anything he can to just be kind to a stranger. I liked that a lot. Unfortunately, that didn't make this nearly 400 page book more palatable.
I want to cut Reedus some slack because this is his first foray into writing at all, let alone writing an entire debut fiction novel. God, I hope there isn't a sequel, but if there is, I'd read it to give him the benefit of the doubt. The Ravaged was terrible, so incredibly disappointing, and I think I'm going to need a full year to recover.
P.S. The next male writer that calls women 'females' in their book is going to catch these hands. Why do men write about women like they've never seen one before?
1.5/5 rounded down to a 1.
Norman Reedus, you're an incredible actor, an amazing artist, and such an engaging person. And I'm sorry, I am so sorry that I absolutely hated this book. If I weren't so die-hard against not DNF'ing a book, I would have put it down weeks ago.
I'll say this, for context: I'm an avid Norman Reedus fan, and that's why I took an interest in this book. Straight fiction isn't my preferred genre, but when I saw that Norman had a book coming out, I preordered it the day he dropped it on Instagram. I didn't know what to expect from it, only that my expectations were high because I thought so highly of Norman Reedus.
This book was awful. But, before I get to the bad, let me tell you about the good - because, for the worst books on earth, there are least some redeeming qualities. Number one: this book is absolutely gorgeous. Zena Kanes designed a beautiful cover illustration, and the actual binding of the hardcover is stunning. Number two: Norman Reedus is a pretty decent writer. If we're just talking about voice and structure, sure, this book was fine. I could practically hear Reedus's voice as I read this, and no one else but him could ever do the audiobook version.
That's it. Those are the two good things.
If I had to summarize what I disliked most about this book, it would be this - The Ravaged is written for the same person it was written by: an woman-loving, tough-as-nails, red-blooded, all-American man. I'm very certain that there'll be a lot of American men that loved his book, and that they'll tell their friends 'see? this guy understands what it means to be a real patriot!'
Yeah, yikes.
This book could not possibly come across as anything else other than something written by a cishet man. Reedus seems to be physically incapable of talking about any female characters without describing their breasts, ass, or how sexy (or distinctly not sexy) they are. I know a lot of other reviewers have mentioned this, but I'm sorry, I really have to as well: page 8, "he wraps an arm around her waist and squeezes an ass as firm as a helium-filled balloon." Jesus Christ.
Something else that I know other reviewers encountered (and subsequently DNF'd because of) was that Reedus goes into a lot of how-to and mechanical instruction in this book. A lot. And no, the page-long step-by-step instructions on how to clean out a lawnmower on page 7 isn't the only instance of this. There's an old writing adage that says 'write what you know' - but shit, you don't need to write everything you know. A third of this book reads as an instruction manual for fixing motorcycles or investing in the stock market, and I have no idea why. I have no idea, because not only does it add nothing to the story, but it's not even for anyone. There cannot possibly be a single reader on this planet who read those step-by-steps and felt more connected to this book coming out of it than going in.
Relatedly, this book isn't a work of fiction. It's really not. It's Norman Reedus's personal beliefs and manifesto wrapped up in characters based on people in his life. Is that what most fictional books do? Yes, of course. But Jesus, I don't need to be lectured on how 'all kids today do is use their smartphones' and 'I've wasted my life working too hard' by a famous, cishet White man with a $25 million networth. That's where I think I lose it with this book, a little: all of the characters are down-on-their luck, and barely surviving, and the lesson there is supposed to be something along the lines of 'you don't need money to survive, celebrities doing philanthropic work is all for show, society would be so much better without capitalism.' All of this, from... Norman Reedus.
I should also say that, because I was a Norman Reedus fan prior to this book, I know a little about his background. I know that the character of Jack was directly inspired by a Fortune Five Hundred guy he met on a plane once. Hell, Reedus even snuck his own tattoo and personal brand into Hunter's character. What Norman Reedus should have written was a biography: a way to tell his stories with meaning, and to tell people what he thinks, rather than trying to make his ideals seem more palatable because they're coming out of a homeless character's mouth.
Now, let me talk about The Ravaged as a story. We have three main characters, whose lives and plight we get insight into: Hunter, Jack, and Anne. And, somehow? I don't care about any of them. None of them have distinct personalities, none of them have distinct voices, and for some reason, Reedus thinks that giving his characters accents equals giving them character traits. It's so bizarre.
On top of that? Reedus shows his entire hand in the first... fifty pages of the book, maybe? We know all of our characters' backstories, all of their tragic pasts, no secrets or holds barred, within the first few chapters. What is the rest of this book about, then, you ask? Nothing. It's about nothing. It's about our three protagonists meeting new people, explaining their exact. Same. Tragic. Backstories. To these new people again, and again, and again. Nothing new, nothing surprising, nothing even thought-provoking. And the way in which these characters speak is so unrealistic, so stiff, so incredibly scripted, that it doesn't even feel like they're having believable conversations. Not a single person on this planet talks the way Hunter or Jack or Anne do, because Reedus couldn't seem to decide whether to make his characters sound like hillbillies or philosophers. There is a way to blend both, but Reedus really didn't do it.
As for the side characters? They're a lot of the same. I can't remember a single name of a single side character, because they might as well all have been identical. On top of that, every side character our heroes meet know an inordinate amount of knowledge about their local area. It's another instance of Reedus infodumping his knowledge for no reason other than to show the reader that he does, in fact, know a whole lot about American history and geography.
If I take anything out of this book, though? I think I'll take Hunter's kindness. That was the only thing I actually liked about any character in this book - the way that Hunter will do everything and anything he can to just be kind to a stranger. I liked that a lot. Unfortunately, that didn't make this nearly 400 page book more palatable.
I want to cut Reedus some slack because this is his first foray into writing at all, let alone writing an entire debut fiction novel. God, I hope there isn't a sequel, but if there is, I'd read it to give him the benefit of the doubt. The Ravaged was terrible, so incredibly disappointing, and I think I'm going to need a full year to recover.
P.S. The next male writer that calls women 'females' in their book is going to catch these hands. Why do men write about women like they've never seen one before?
May 10, 2022
2.75 rounded up
Jack was told by his dying Mother to "run and never look back." Hunter beats up his dog abusing boss and he rides from North Caroline to California. Seventeen-year-old Anne flees after her brother attacks her. These three people don't seem to have anything in common except that the harsh realities of life are bearing down upon them.
This is a gritty novel about three people on a ques/journey. A journey where they learn about themselves, their family, their definition of family and their search for what is important in life. Life is harsh and is many things in this book which gives it a very real feel.
Norman Reedus narrates the audiobook, and he does have a great voice for telling a gritty, raw story. A story, which sadly, was not for me. He sure likes his adjectives and comparing one thing to another, I will give him that. Others are enjoying this more than I did, so please check out their reviews as well.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Jack was told by his dying Mother to "run and never look back." Hunter beats up his dog abusing boss and he rides from North Caroline to California. Seventeen-year-old Anne flees after her brother attacks her. These three people don't seem to have anything in common except that the harsh realities of life are bearing down upon them.
This is a gritty novel about three people on a ques/journey. A journey where they learn about themselves, their family, their definition of family and their search for what is important in life. Life is harsh and is many things in this book which gives it a very real feel.
Norman Reedus narrates the audiobook, and he does have a great voice for telling a gritty, raw story. A story, which sadly, was not for me. He sure likes his adjectives and comparing one thing to another, I will give him that. Others are enjoying this more than I did, so please check out their reviews as well.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
May 24, 2022
I’ve put the audio on hold at the library. I’ll try one more time. I like NR but I skimmed most of the book. I liked some of it so it might be my mood. We shall see
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
May 29, 2022
When you favourite actor from Walking Dead writes a book, you obviously have to read it. I am sure this book will be a 4 to 5 star for others, but unfortunately I did not like it. It was a bit all over the place, and I often felt lost with no clear direction.
I hope others find it to be a great read!
I hope others find it to be a great read!
May 12, 2022
Ugh.
I went into this with zip knowledge other than the fact that Norman Reedus wrote it. I love this man, but I hated this book ...
There were two different moments that I went to DNF, but I kept at it... And I regret it. I hated the writing style. Especially in the Hunter chapters. There was something about how every bar he stopped at had a complete play by play of every single moment, right down to the ordering of food. And the number of times he introduced himself and his friends in the exact same way made me cringe
Everything was just so unlikely. The types of people all the characters meet constantly didn't match up to real world. The strangers all had these deep insightful views on the protagonists and life in general. Everyone was so willing to open up to them or change who they are just from their minute interactions. Yeah... Ok.
Not sure what else to say. I gave it 2 stars... But I was close to giving it 1 star. The only reason I didn't was because there were a couple of surprises in the plot that I appreciated.
I went into this with zip knowledge other than the fact that Norman Reedus wrote it. I love this man, but I hated this book ...
There were two different moments that I went to DNF, but I kept at it... And I regret it. I hated the writing style. Especially in the Hunter chapters. There was something about how every bar he stopped at had a complete play by play of every single moment, right down to the ordering of food. And the number of times he introduced himself and his friends in the exact same way made me cringe
Everything was just so unlikely. The types of people all the characters meet constantly didn't match up to real world. The strangers all had these deep insightful views on the protagonists and life in general. Everyone was so willing to open up to them or change who they are just from their minute interactions. Yeah... Ok.
Not sure what else to say. I gave it 2 stars... But I was close to giving it 1 star. The only reason I didn't was because there were a couple of surprises in the plot that I appreciated.
Read
May 7, 2022Officially DNF’d. I tried to get into this one but I just couldn't. I just don't think I'm the right audience for it.
March 4, 2022
The Ravaged is a moving debut novel by Norman Reedus. I think the writing will not only impress readers but it will also leave you with a feeling of acceptance.
The story follows three separate individuals who are going through the ups and downs of life. They all come from different backgrounds and are all facing some tough situations. The writing is so realistic which makes it easy to understand and feel for each character. The author gets down to the nitty-gritty and it works for this story!
I give The Ravaged 4 stars. It's raw and gritty as the author highlights the hardships of the three main characters. If anything, it shows the beauty in the messiness. Again, I am really impressed by this debut novel.
The story follows three separate individuals who are going through the ups and downs of life. They all come from different backgrounds and are all facing some tough situations. The writing is so realistic which makes it easy to understand and feel for each character. The author gets down to the nitty-gritty and it works for this story!
I give The Ravaged 4 stars. It's raw and gritty as the author highlights the hardships of the three main characters. If anything, it shows the beauty in the messiness. Again, I am really impressed by this debut novel.
June 26, 2022
I'm not really sure I am this books intended audience. That being said I ended up switching to the audio book after 1/4th of the way through and still not really being into it. While I could listen to Norman Reedus read to me every day, it was definitely the only way I would have made it through this book.
May 31, 2022
You know I just grabbed this one because it was by Norman Reedus (plus the awesome cover) because that's pretty much how I roll these days. (No shame!) I had no idea what I was getting into, but if it's narrated by Daryl Dixon and it's a gritty road trip type story - I had no qualms with knowing zero things about the plot!
One thing that I think going into this you should know is it's 3 different stories. They do parallel each other - but they never connect. I anticipated the stories merging at some point, and was a tad bit disappointed they never did. But - the three stories themselves were incredibly descriptive and moving - these are not happy stories with endearing characters. They are quite messy and we are thrown right into their journeys as they navigate the disorder of their lives.
We follow each as they travel through these tough situations simultaneously with a road trip - running from something, running away, or running to something. The writing is darkly poetic and Norman narrates it beautifully. There were a few times it feels like it gets stuck in almost too detailed of a descriptive spiral - but it's dark and grittily lyrical, nonetheless.
It's very clear Norman has taken experience from his own travels and applied it throughout the story which I loved. It's very raw and quite a unique read - which I appreciate. A solid debut, I just wished the plots had merged somehow (even a teeny bit!) and the ending wasn't so open. But to be fair - sometimes it really is more about the journey than the destination.
One thing that I think going into this you should know is it's 3 different stories. They do parallel each other - but they never connect. I anticipated the stories merging at some point, and was a tad bit disappointed they never did. But - the three stories themselves were incredibly descriptive and moving - these are not happy stories with endearing characters. They are quite messy and we are thrown right into their journeys as they navigate the disorder of their lives.
We follow each as they travel through these tough situations simultaneously with a road trip - running from something, running away, or running to something. The writing is darkly poetic and Norman narrates it beautifully. There were a few times it feels like it gets stuck in almost too detailed of a descriptive spiral - but it's dark and grittily lyrical, nonetheless.
It's very clear Norman has taken experience from his own travels and applied it throughout the story which I loved. It's very raw and quite a unique read - which I appreciate. A solid debut, I just wished the plots had merged somehow (even a teeny bit!) and the ending wasn't so open. But to be fair - sometimes it really is more about the journey than the destination.
November 4, 2024
I received this book as a part of a Goodreads giveaway and it has been the haunted relic that won't let me rest ever since.
I make a lot of jokes that books are for women - that reading and literature are exclusively for women.
The Ravaged is a book that is by men, for men. THIS is male literature. Thank you to Norman Reedus for inviting me into the realm of masculine novels. I hope to never return to that dark place.
The Ravaged is a physical manifestation of what white men daydream about when they're already wealthy and successful. Everyone is rough around the edges but honest and honorable. They stand up for women and animals (is there a difference between the two? Haha! Amirite boys?). They ride motorcycles and pound beers. If you read any of the reviews, you will find several complaints about the ENTIRE PAGE detailing how to care for your lawnmower or the line "Her ass is like a helium filled balloon," which is objectively the worst sentence ever strung together.
I don't believe in rating books one star because generally it's my own fault that I picked a book without reading the blurb. That doesn't make a book BAD; someone poured their heart and soul into it, and I don't want to discredit it because I was not the target audience. And while this is a perfect case for me to say "I am REALLY not the target audience," I won't. Norman Reedus, this was atrocious and getting through it was a chore.
One star. Please get this away from me now.
I make a lot of jokes that books are for women - that reading and literature are exclusively for women.
The Ravaged is a book that is by men, for men. THIS is male literature. Thank you to Norman Reedus for inviting me into the realm of masculine novels. I hope to never return to that dark place.
The Ravaged is a physical manifestation of what white men daydream about when they're already wealthy and successful. Everyone is rough around the edges but honest and honorable. They stand up for women and animals (is there a difference between the two? Haha! Amirite boys?). They ride motorcycles and pound beers. If you read any of the reviews, you will find several complaints about the ENTIRE PAGE detailing how to care for your lawnmower or the line "Her ass is like a helium filled balloon," which is objectively the worst sentence ever strung together.
I don't believe in rating books one star because generally it's my own fault that I picked a book without reading the blurb. That doesn't make a book BAD; someone poured their heart and soul into it, and I don't want to discredit it because I was not the target audience. And while this is a perfect case for me to say "I am REALLY not the target audience," I won't. Norman Reedus, this was atrocious and getting through it was a chore.
One star. Please get this away from me now.
May 11, 2022
im gonna need a book about anne, cinnamon and the train hoppers right NEOW
May 9, 2022
ARC review expected release 5.10.22
https://www.tiktok.com/@kagedbooks/vi...?
This is Norman Reedus’ debut novel, yup the same Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead and Boondock Saints.
I had to jump on the chance to listen to this audio arc, as Reedus narrates the novel himself. I’ve only seen a few authors choose to do this and i’ve liked it every time. This is no exception he puts the same level of effort into the reading as any of his film roles, and you get the story with all the tone and inflection he intended while writing this.
In the novel you get three different POVs from people that are on different journeys of self-discovery but in very different ways. They are seeking to become better versions of who they want to be, not necessarily who society sees as better but true to themselves. These journeys force the characters to face their respective past, and carve out the future they are looking for.
All and all this is a solid debut novel. It’s written in a gritty and engaging style. All three characters have stories that have ups and downs and left me wanting to know more about them. This is actually where it lose some points for me as the ending left me needing more, and i do not believe this is intended to be the start of a series, at least not that i’ve seen. That may be part of the point though because life can leave us searching for more.
This is more of a personal bias and not a reflection of writing quality but i would have like to have seen .
Overall, I enjoyed reading this and it made me reflect upon the path i’d like my life to take which i feel like is a pretty solid response to a book that doesn’t set out to be in any kind of self-help category. I’d definitely read another book by Norman Reedus and will probably get a physical copy for the shelf.
Big thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a chance to get in on this book early. I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
https://www.tiktok.com/@kagedbooks/vi...?
This is Norman Reedus’ debut novel, yup the same Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead and Boondock Saints.
I had to jump on the chance to listen to this audio arc, as Reedus narrates the novel himself. I’ve only seen a few authors choose to do this and i’ve liked it every time. This is no exception he puts the same level of effort into the reading as any of his film roles, and you get the story with all the tone and inflection he intended while writing this.
In the novel you get three different POVs from people that are on different journeys of self-discovery but in very different ways. They are seeking to become better versions of who they want to be, not necessarily who society sees as better but true to themselves. These journeys force the characters to face their respective past, and carve out the future they are looking for.
All and all this is a solid debut novel. It’s written in a gritty and engaging style. All three characters have stories that have ups and downs and left me wanting to know more about them. This is actually where it lose some points for me as the ending left me needing more, and i do not believe this is intended to be the start of a series, at least not that i’ve seen. That may be part of the point though because life can leave us searching for more.
This is more of a personal bias and not a reflection of writing quality but i would have like to have seen .
Overall, I enjoyed reading this and it made me reflect upon the path i’d like my life to take which i feel like is a pretty solid response to a book that doesn’t set out to be in any kind of self-help category. I’d definitely read another book by Norman Reedus and will probably get a physical copy for the shelf.
Big thanks to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a chance to get in on this book early. I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
March 29, 2022
I was drawn into this one by the name at the bottom of the cover - Frank Bill. I think, however, that his assistance stretched as far as the prose of the novel rather the structure or characters, but I could be wrong.
The writing for the most part is really good, but the characters, premise and structure of the book are unoriginal and, as things progress, ever more onerous. My main issue was that while I enjoyed Hunter and Anne's sections of the story, I quickly grew tired of Jack. Jack is a 65 year old traveling in South America following his mother's dying advice for him to run and it is after being mugged of his money and valuables that Jack truly sees the fruitlessness of all he has worked for over the years, that his money has not brought him happiness. The problem is that it takes an age for him to process this over about half the book before his story unfolds a little more.
The three protagonists with a chapter at a time structure sees a stop-start motion of the stories involved and leaves you detached from all three in the end. The book is neither quite crime enough or quite literary enough to land in either camp with crimes committed and epiphanies had, but none of which are quite original or entertaining enough to keep you reading for long.
I can appreciate the effort that went into this novel and understand the business of getting the book out with the big name at the top, it just feels a bit half-baked in comparison to numerous indie titles I have read over the years.
The writing for the most part is really good, but the characters, premise and structure of the book are unoriginal and, as things progress, ever more onerous. My main issue was that while I enjoyed Hunter and Anne's sections of the story, I quickly grew tired of Jack. Jack is a 65 year old traveling in South America following his mother's dying advice for him to run and it is after being mugged of his money and valuables that Jack truly sees the fruitlessness of all he has worked for over the years, that his money has not brought him happiness. The problem is that it takes an age for him to process this over about half the book before his story unfolds a little more.
The three protagonists with a chapter at a time structure sees a stop-start motion of the stories involved and leaves you detached from all three in the end. The book is neither quite crime enough or quite literary enough to land in either camp with crimes committed and epiphanies had, but none of which are quite original or entertaining enough to keep you reading for long.
I can appreciate the effort that went into this novel and understand the business of getting the book out with the big name at the top, it just feels a bit half-baked in comparison to numerous indie titles I have read over the years.
February 16, 2022
"Norman Reedus highly anticipated debut novel."
Say no more! I've been rewatching The Walking Dead and couldn't add this faster.
Say no more! I've been rewatching The Walking Dead and couldn't add this faster.
May 17, 2022
Being a fan of The Walking Dead and a fan of Norman Reedus, I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to listen to the audio of his debut, especially since it is read by the author himself. And who wouldn't want to listen to that voice?
Unfortunately, as it is with many celebrity books (and this one is written with Frank Bill), it fell very short. At first I thought I just wasn't the right audience for this weird story, but all in all, I feel like my grievances with this book are rather universal, and not so much rooted in the plot line or the characters themselves, as they are in writing style and execution.
It's hard to describe the plot line, really, as it is rather vague. We have multiple POV - following 3 very different and completely unconnected people - and the general idea of people being down on their luck and having to pivot in their lives, in order to keep going. Hunter is a biker (and a mechanic) who has just learnt about his father's passing and so he gets on his bike to trek through the country to say his final goodbyes. Jack is an older guy (I believe he was in his 60s), who lost his wife to cancer and has quite the emotional baggage to deal with, and so he goes on a journey (self discovery plus sight seeing) down in South America. 17-year old Anne finds herself on the run after being attacked by her older brother.
Now, my issue with this book is that the writing felt very disjointed and choppy, and really unbearably repetitive. For example, throughout his journey Hunter stops at multiple locations (usually bars) and has chats with random strangers. He tells everyone the same exact story: I had a job, this guys was abusive to the dog, I punched him, took the dog and took off. Every. Single. Time. Without fail. Hunter does the same thing with the dreams he recounts. First, we would read about the dream he is having, then he would wake up and recount that dream word for word to the random person currently by his side.
Then, there's the fact that these characters meet various strangers throughout (that is fine) who without fail offer them some profound bit of insight into their lives or character (that is weird).
All in all, this book had some potential for sure, but it could use some heavy rewriting and editing. Then again, the storyline was served in a way that was super easy to follow, and if you like stories dealing with pivotal life moments, soul-searching and testosterone, this might be something you'll enjoy!
Unfortunately, as it is with many celebrity books (and this one is written with Frank Bill), it fell very short. At first I thought I just wasn't the right audience for this weird story, but all in all, I feel like my grievances with this book are rather universal, and not so much rooted in the plot line or the characters themselves, as they are in writing style and execution.
It's hard to describe the plot line, really, as it is rather vague. We have multiple POV - following 3 very different and completely unconnected people - and the general idea of people being down on their luck and having to pivot in their lives, in order to keep going. Hunter is a biker (and a mechanic) who has just learnt about his father's passing and so he gets on his bike to trek through the country to say his final goodbyes. Jack is an older guy (I believe he was in his 60s), who lost his wife to cancer and has quite the emotional baggage to deal with, and so he goes on a journey (self discovery plus sight seeing) down in South America. 17-year old Anne finds herself on the run after being attacked by her older brother.
Now, my issue with this book is that the writing felt very disjointed and choppy, and really unbearably repetitive. For example, throughout his journey Hunter stops at multiple locations (usually bars) and has chats with random strangers. He tells everyone the same exact story: I had a job, this guys was abusive to the dog, I punched him, took the dog and took off. Every. Single. Time. Without fail. Hunter does the same thing with the dreams he recounts. First, we would read about the dream he is having, then he would wake up and recount that dream word for word to the random person currently by his side.
Then, there's the fact that these characters meet various strangers throughout (that is fine) who without fail offer them some profound bit of insight into their lives or character (that is weird).
All in all, this book had some potential for sure, but it could use some heavy rewriting and editing. Then again, the storyline was served in a way that was super easy to follow, and if you like stories dealing with pivotal life moments, soul-searching and testosterone, this might be something you'll enjoy!
June 4, 2022
DNF. I really really hate to do this to Norman but I did not enjoy the writing style and the majority of the book is filled with cursing.
June 14, 2022
*BIGGEST EYE ROLL EVER* Sweet Jesus, the levels of mansplaining, pretension, and repetition are ALARMINGLY HIGH. I hated this whole mess.
August 31, 2022
Whew. Let me start this off by saying that maybe, just maybe, I may be a little biased. I adore Norman Reedus in general. I was so excited when I saw that his book was being released, but I took way too long to finally get around to reading this. Lol.
This book was unique. Well, I should say the storyline was unique. It kept my attention, kept me turning pages. The character development was great as well. The book follows three different characters through their ups and downs in life. However, one character’s chapters in particular did frustrate me a little. I felt as though his chapters were a bit more….all over the place?
I do want to experience this in audiobook since Norman narrates it himself I hear, so maybe that’s next. :)
This book was unique. Well, I should say the storyline was unique. It kept my attention, kept me turning pages. The character development was great as well. The book follows three different characters through their ups and downs in life. However, one character’s chapters in particular did frustrate me a little. I felt as though his chapters were a bit more….all over the place?
I do want to experience this in audiobook since Norman narrates it himself I hear, so maybe that’s next. :)
May 7, 2022
Thank you to libro.fm for providing me with an ALC of this book.
I absolutely loved the fact that this was narrated by Norman Reedus, and honestly could listen to his voice in my ear all day long. As for the book itself? That was a different story.
It wasn't bad, not by any means, but it just wasn't really a good fit for me. It centers around three very different individuals, as they travel to try to find their next steps. I think the characters were well-drawn, although I struggled to really connect with any of them. And I found that Jack's storyline was the most hard to believe as real experiences, while I could see the other two actually happening more easily.
The story is littered with similes, constantly throwing them around, even when they didn't need to be. It made it difficult to focus on things, and stay in the story.
Overall, this wasn't a read that I regret, mostly because I loved hearing Reedus's narration, but it wasn't the kind of book that I found mind-blowing or memorable in any way.
I absolutely loved the fact that this was narrated by Norman Reedus, and honestly could listen to his voice in my ear all day long. As for the book itself? That was a different story.
It wasn't bad, not by any means, but it just wasn't really a good fit for me. It centers around three very different individuals, as they travel to try to find their next steps. I think the characters were well-drawn, although I struggled to really connect with any of them. And I found that Jack's storyline was the most hard to believe as real experiences, while I could see the other two actually happening more easily.
The story is littered with similes, constantly throwing them around, even when they didn't need to be. It made it difficult to focus on things, and stay in the story.
Overall, this wasn't a read that I regret, mostly because I loved hearing Reedus's narration, but it wasn't the kind of book that I found mind-blowing or memorable in any way.
March 25, 2022
"Thank you to the publisher, Norman Reedus and Frank Bill, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...
“Life is messy. Grit and grace come at us fast, side by side. Sometimes the grit becomes overwhelming and diminishes our spirit. What’s good seems lost and gone forever. This is a story about the pathway back to what’s beautiful, when the way back seems impossible.”
― Sharon E. Rainey, Making a Pearl from the Grit of Life
As a reviewer, I rarely come across a debut novel that moves me so completely and leaves me speechless at the end. The Ravaged is a gritty, honest debut novel by Norman Reedus and Frank Bill. The writing is absolutely brilliant and unputdownable after the first page.
The story follows three separate individuals who are trying to escape their lives for different reasons. Jack has spent all of his life working and providing for his family, but at 65, his wife has died of cancer, his daughter has committed suicide and his son is an addict. He has escaped to Chile on his late mother’s advice to run and not come back and he now walks solo with no money and no identification, carrying the heaviness of regret and grief wherever he goes. Hunter, a motorcyclist and motorcycle repairman, has left his job at a local garage because of his abusive boss, and taken Ruby, his boss’ dog with him. He finds out his father has passed away in a mysterious fire and he and his two best friends, Itch and Nugget, take a motorcycle pilgrimage across the country from North Carolina to California, helping people along the way, in the spirit of his father. Anne, a young teenager, is escaping an abusive home and the possibility that she may have murdered her brother after hitting with a frying pan. She and her best friend, Trot, learn the fine art of train hopping and there they find Cinnamon, another teenager who is an expert at the fine art of being homeless and proud.
This first novel by Reedus, he writes a harsh and gritty account of three very different people. The stories do come together, interestingly, but what really stuck with me was how each protagonist learns about family and what is really important and how family can mean something different for everyone. Anne comes from a poor family with alcoholic and abusive parents but finds a new family in the group of homeless teenagers and children she meets along the way. Hunter, a loner, meets new family on his journey that he didn’t even know about. Jacks sees all kinds of families in Chile and then Colombia, doubling his regret at missing most of his children’s formative years. There is hope in each single journey. Reedus and Bill have written a sometimes harsh, and sometimes heartwarming novel that will stick with me for a long time.
Previously published at https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...
“Life is messy. Grit and grace come at us fast, side by side. Sometimes the grit becomes overwhelming and diminishes our spirit. What’s good seems lost and gone forever. This is a story about the pathway back to what’s beautiful, when the way back seems impossible.”
― Sharon E. Rainey, Making a Pearl from the Grit of Life
As a reviewer, I rarely come across a debut novel that moves me so completely and leaves me speechless at the end. The Ravaged is a gritty, honest debut novel by Norman Reedus and Frank Bill. The writing is absolutely brilliant and unputdownable after the first page.
The story follows three separate individuals who are trying to escape their lives for different reasons. Jack has spent all of his life working and providing for his family, but at 65, his wife has died of cancer, his daughter has committed suicide and his son is an addict. He has escaped to Chile on his late mother’s advice to run and not come back and he now walks solo with no money and no identification, carrying the heaviness of regret and grief wherever he goes. Hunter, a motorcyclist and motorcycle repairman, has left his job at a local garage because of his abusive boss, and taken Ruby, his boss’ dog with him. He finds out his father has passed away in a mysterious fire and he and his two best friends, Itch and Nugget, take a motorcycle pilgrimage across the country from North Carolina to California, helping people along the way, in the spirit of his father. Anne, a young teenager, is escaping an abusive home and the possibility that she may have murdered her brother after hitting with a frying pan. She and her best friend, Trot, learn the fine art of train hopping and there they find Cinnamon, another teenager who is an expert at the fine art of being homeless and proud.
This first novel by Reedus, he writes a harsh and gritty account of three very different people. The stories do come together, interestingly, but what really stuck with me was how each protagonist learns about family and what is really important and how family can mean something different for everyone. Anne comes from a poor family with alcoholic and abusive parents but finds a new family in the group of homeless teenagers and children she meets along the way. Hunter, a loner, meets new family on his journey that he didn’t even know about. Jacks sees all kinds of families in Chile and then Colombia, doubling his regret at missing most of his children’s formative years. There is hope in each single journey. Reedus and Bill have written a sometimes harsh, and sometimes heartwarming novel that will stick with me for a long time.
May 12, 2022
Wasn't sure what to expect
The story kept me entranced. Looking forward to the next one.
As Norman finds his voice as an author, he's sure to spin more fantastic yarns.
The story kept me entranced. Looking forward to the next one.
As Norman finds his voice as an author, he's sure to spin more fantastic yarns.
August 12, 2022
If there was any doubt that the white, dumbass, misogynistic male knew how to read, Reedus cleared that one up since clearly that is the intended audience for this piece of shit.
May 11, 2022
As a Walking Dead fan and Daryl Dixon fan, I was SO excited to read The Ravaged by Norman Reedus. But guys…. This book was just not for me!
Hunter is a biker who finds out his father has just died in a mysterious fire, and sets off to ride across the country to sort out his affairs. Jack is a middle aged man who recently lost his wife, and after a life of tragedy and working, he runs away from it all to backpack across South America. Anne is a girl who comes from an abusive family and one day decides she’s had enough, and takes off with her best friend to hop trains and get away. Along these three journeys secrets are found out, interesting characters are met, and chaos ensues.
This story had so much potential and I’m so sad it didn’t live up to it. The Ravaged is heavily character driven with little plot and almost no point. If the book had started where it ended I feel like it would’ve been so much better!
I thought each of the three MCs were strong characters and had interesting stories, but just not a lot happened. The whole time I was reading I was just waiting to see where it would go, what would happen to these people. And while I will say I was never bored, it just never really went anywhere and I was confused about the whole experience!
I can appreciate the writing style, which was very different from what I’m used to, and I can appreciate what the author was trying to do- I just personally didn’t think it worked. It was very repetitive, sometimes a little heavy handed with descriptive words (I know, a weird thing to think of as too much in a book) and it lacked real meat to the story. Imagine reading a slow burn thriller that has you hooked, and right when it starts getting amped up and you’re about to find out the twist….. it ends. No resolution. Three cliffhangers.
So do I regret reading this book? No. Would I recommend this book? Eh probably not. Would I read another work by Norman Reedus? Yeah, maybe! So do with that what you will….
Hunter is a biker who finds out his father has just died in a mysterious fire, and sets off to ride across the country to sort out his affairs. Jack is a middle aged man who recently lost his wife, and after a life of tragedy and working, he runs away from it all to backpack across South America. Anne is a girl who comes from an abusive family and one day decides she’s had enough, and takes off with her best friend to hop trains and get away. Along these three journeys secrets are found out, interesting characters are met, and chaos ensues.
This story had so much potential and I’m so sad it didn’t live up to it. The Ravaged is heavily character driven with little plot and almost no point. If the book had started where it ended I feel like it would’ve been so much better!
I thought each of the three MCs were strong characters and had interesting stories, but just not a lot happened. The whole time I was reading I was just waiting to see where it would go, what would happen to these people. And while I will say I was never bored, it just never really went anywhere and I was confused about the whole experience!
I can appreciate the writing style, which was very different from what I’m used to, and I can appreciate what the author was trying to do- I just personally didn’t think it worked. It was very repetitive, sometimes a little heavy handed with descriptive words (I know, a weird thing to think of as too much in a book) and it lacked real meat to the story. Imagine reading a slow burn thriller that has you hooked, and right when it starts getting amped up and you’re about to find out the twist….. it ends. No resolution. Three cliffhangers.
So do I regret reading this book? No. Would I recommend this book? Eh probably not. Would I read another work by Norman Reedus? Yeah, maybe! So do with that what you will….
August 2, 2022
I did NOT expect to rate this five stars. I expected three, maybe four if I was entertained. My main reason for concern was that Norman Reedus is a photographer and an actor, so how good can he be at writing? On the other hand, the size of his name compared to Frank Bill's had me keeping my guard up, as that often means 'celebrity's name is solely to sell the book, author actually wrote it,' but I kept my fingers crossed as Norman seems like a pretty genuine guy. Another concern I had was that Reedus seems to get a bit artsy and cryptic at times, making me wonder if the novel would read like a fake-deep poem. This didn't show through, though there were many issues brought to light that got dramatic at times.
The story follows three stories that never intersect but share common themes. All three protagonists are at completely different stages in their life (17, 46 and 65), yet seem to be at the exact same place mentally. All of them have lived with some form of ignorance and are then forced to face up to these, be it things they've taken for granted, had hidden from them, repressed or just actively ignored. The older one's story shows that some people think they're doing very well but actually lose sight of what is important, then have to figure things out at such a late stage.
The few antagonistic characters presented share the action of twisting certain views to fit their agenda, always preaching but never doing. However, they also present arguments that further distort the gray areas surrounding our characters, while one of them actually acted as the tipping point for a character's final, happy decision.
All three stories have open endings that leave us hopeful as the characters start to look towards everything they've ignored. There could be a sequel, but I don't think there should be as it is good to leave us with the possibilities we can imagine. One thing I didn't like was that I was quite concerned about the health of the relationship one of them got into, but I'm not entirely sure. It doesn't matter too much as it wasn't the main point of that ending, but it still bothered me a bit.
With the apparent genre, I didn't expect much diversity at first glance. What did I get? Diversity. The minority characters (different races, genders and sexualities) were treated appropriately by the writers and the audience were presented with various perspectives. Again, within the genre, I worried about the role of women. There were times, especially early on, at which I thought it'd fall victim to tropes common in classic media of the sort, but I was pleasantly surprised when these were overcome, putting different people in different roles in each of the three main stories. The one man who slid a little (a refreshingly small amount) towards disrespect was, interestingly enough, one who had such a saviour complex that he fully believed he was respectful, yet he realised his assumptions and went on to focus on himself. It's also very clear that his childhood played a heavy role in it.
History, as suggested by this man's repressed childhood causing him problems, is a prevalent theme in this book. It talks of how we need to learn from the past, which is something I really support. It goes on to discuss indigenous history and the rise of nationalism after Pearl Harbour, showing that both the history of your country and your own personal history are equally as important in shaping your decisions in life.
Expanding on the American history, it both criticises America and shows hope for it, discussing the ways in which people have interpreted the 'American Dream.' It was refreshing to see multiple ways of viewing it rather than either 'oh poor me America is a cesspit' or 'GOD BLESS AMERICA HOME OF THE BRAVE!'
Returning to the subject of women and their roles, one of the most important themes in this book was parenting. It talks about how the idea people have of men being the sole provider is a total scam, as both parents have to be there. Dedicating yourself to 'the grind' is useless when you ignore everything else and let things play out without you.
It then delves into what we can and can't control or, more accurately, what we should and shouldn't control. All three characters deal with things differently, but they all learn similar lessons.
The next few topics I have to discuss are about the style of writing. At first, I wasn't sure about the writing for two reasons: one story uses a slight dialect that I briefly mistook for bad writing, while they all contain parts in which a character will tell a story quite quickly and in a natural dialogue, making it a little hard to catch up with. Luckily, I was able to settle in and catch up, but I doubt many people would. Having had to look up a lot of lingo, I'm definitely not part of the main target audience, so perhaps there is hope for more people to understand it.
There was something in the writing that gave the story an uncomfortable sense of urgency, making you feel like you're wasting time. This was pretty good for the overall vibe, but there were circumstances in which the characters had to learn freedom and relaxation, and an overarching message of moderation, so sometimes it felt a bit too panicked. As previously mentioned, the endings were hopeful and open but I worried at several points that they wouldn't be.
Overall, returning to my concern about the co-writing and celebrity author, I'll tell you what I thought showed through. It has clear nods to (what I think are) many aspects of Reedus' life, work and interests, coming across as a very personal project to him. It made sense that many aspects of the book reminded me of Daryl Dixon (his most famous role), but this element also surprised me as a lot of his fans from the show seemed not to like it, though the book is definitely for a niche audience. However, Reedus was not the only writer. I have no idea what Frank Bill has been through or written about before, but I believe that some of the elements of this book I understood less were further towards his areas of interest. I'm not qualified to evaluate that area, but I think his assistance has proven useful in creating such a broad story and tackling all they tried to tackle.
The story follows three stories that never intersect but share common themes. All three protagonists are at completely different stages in their life (17, 46 and 65), yet seem to be at the exact same place mentally. All of them have lived with some form of ignorance and are then forced to face up to these, be it things they've taken for granted, had hidden from them, repressed or just actively ignored. The older one's story shows that some people think they're doing very well but actually lose sight of what is important, then have to figure things out at such a late stage.
The few antagonistic characters presented share the action of twisting certain views to fit their agenda, always preaching but never doing. However, they also present arguments that further distort the gray areas surrounding our characters, while one of them actually acted as the tipping point for a character's final, happy decision.
All three stories have open endings that leave us hopeful as the characters start to look towards everything they've ignored. There could be a sequel, but I don't think there should be as it is good to leave us with the possibilities we can imagine. One thing I didn't like was that I was quite concerned about the health of the relationship one of them got into, but I'm not entirely sure. It doesn't matter too much as it wasn't the main point of that ending, but it still bothered me a bit.
With the apparent genre, I didn't expect much diversity at first glance. What did I get? Diversity. The minority characters (different races, genders and sexualities) were treated appropriately by the writers and the audience were presented with various perspectives. Again, within the genre, I worried about the role of women. There were times, especially early on, at which I thought it'd fall victim to tropes common in classic media of the sort, but I was pleasantly surprised when these were overcome, putting different people in different roles in each of the three main stories. The one man who slid a little (a refreshingly small amount) towards disrespect was, interestingly enough, one who had such a saviour complex that he fully believed he was respectful, yet he realised his assumptions and went on to focus on himself. It's also very clear that his childhood played a heavy role in it.
History, as suggested by this man's repressed childhood causing him problems, is a prevalent theme in this book. It talks of how we need to learn from the past, which is something I really support. It goes on to discuss indigenous history and the rise of nationalism after Pearl Harbour, showing that both the history of your country and your own personal history are equally as important in shaping your decisions in life.
Expanding on the American history, it both criticises America and shows hope for it, discussing the ways in which people have interpreted the 'American Dream.' It was refreshing to see multiple ways of viewing it rather than either 'oh poor me America is a cesspit' or 'GOD BLESS AMERICA HOME OF THE BRAVE!'
Returning to the subject of women and their roles, one of the most important themes in this book was parenting. It talks about how the idea people have of men being the sole provider is a total scam, as both parents have to be there. Dedicating yourself to 'the grind' is useless when you ignore everything else and let things play out without you.
It then delves into what we can and can't control or, more accurately, what we should and shouldn't control. All three characters deal with things differently, but they all learn similar lessons.
The next few topics I have to discuss are about the style of writing. At first, I wasn't sure about the writing for two reasons: one story uses a slight dialect that I briefly mistook for bad writing, while they all contain parts in which a character will tell a story quite quickly and in a natural dialogue, making it a little hard to catch up with. Luckily, I was able to settle in and catch up, but I doubt many people would. Having had to look up a lot of lingo, I'm definitely not part of the main target audience, so perhaps there is hope for more people to understand it.
There was something in the writing that gave the story an uncomfortable sense of urgency, making you feel like you're wasting time. This was pretty good for the overall vibe, but there were circumstances in which the characters had to learn freedom and relaxation, and an overarching message of moderation, so sometimes it felt a bit too panicked. As previously mentioned, the endings were hopeful and open but I worried at several points that they wouldn't be.
Overall, returning to my concern about the co-writing and celebrity author, I'll tell you what I thought showed through. It has clear nods to (what I think are) many aspects of Reedus' life, work and interests, coming across as a very personal project to him. It made sense that many aspects of the book reminded me of Daryl Dixon (his most famous role), but this element also surprised me as a lot of his fans from the show seemed not to like it, though the book is definitely for a niche audience. However, Reedus was not the only writer. I have no idea what Frank Bill has been through or written about before, but I believe that some of the elements of this book I understood less were further towards his areas of interest. I'm not qualified to evaluate that area, but I think his assistance has proven useful in creating such a broad story and tackling all they tried to tackle.
September 5, 2023
Reedus, I love ya in The Walking Dead, but novel writing is so definitively not your thing
None of the storylines go anywhere, none of the characters have any distinct voice, just weak pal!
None of the storylines go anywhere, none of the characters have any distinct voice, just weak pal!
May 14, 2022
Norman Reedus may have achieved cult status as an actor in films like “The Boondock Saints,” but he has elevated himself to global Super-Nova status with his success as the character Daryl Dixon in the long-running cable series The Walking Dead based on Robert Kirkman’s iconic Graphic Novel series of the same name.
With all that swagger attached to his name, all Reedus had to do was pretty much put his name on the spine of a novel and he was practically guaranteed success. With the release of THE RAVAGED, co-written with Frank Bill, Reedus has done just that. I am pleased to say that he doesn’t just ‘phone it in’ with this novel as THE RAVAGED is an enjoyable read. I can also state that it reads exactly like you would expect something written by Norman Reedus to read --- gritty, realistic, violent, fast-moving, and fun.
THE RAVAGED tells us three different stories each of which featuring a character that must go on a journey. In each story, the principal characters are propelled into action as part of that journey --- either running towards something or away from something. What I enjoyed is that the way Reedus and Bill have gone about creating each of these characters veers away from being stereotypical, which I hope will surprise most readers who are drawn to this work, and that is what keeps the trio of tales fresh and interesting.
First, we have Hunter. As a huge animal lover, Hunter won me over immediately. He did this when he walked into the garage where he worked and found his dirtbag of a boss, Ox, beating on his pet dog Ruby. Hunter does what any self-respecting dog lover would do, he kicks him in the chin with his steel-toed boot, effectively quits his job, and then takes Ruby with him for his own. Shortly after that, Hunter learns that his father has died --- the victim of a mysterious house fire.
Hunter, along with Ruby, takes a couple of his old biker buddies --- appropriately named Itch and Nugget --- for a cross country rode trip from North Carolina to California. It in Cali where he is to claim what his father left behind for him in his will. More importantly is what Hunter will experience on said road trip as he prepares for his role as executor of his father’s estate and must go through many towns along the way as well as plenty of trips down memory lane which, for me, were the best parts of THE RAVAGED.
The second character in the trio is Jack, who I found to be the least accessible of the three. This was not because he was so much older, at age 65, than the other two, but possibly due to the fact that his mind was more drug-addled that his memories and dreams were more skewed as a result. He is in South America and what he chases is the past, are ghosts, the results of what his dying mother told him to do and how that seriously messed up his perspective ever since. Jack is literally ravaged by loss --- his wife died of cancer, his daughter committed suicide, and his son is a drug addict. He is in Chile hoping to find his own answers there and realizing it may not ever be that easy again.
Lastly, we have seventeen-year-old Anne. She is the victim of an attack by her own family --- her older brother brutally attacks her, forcing her to defend herself by hitting him with a skillet and fleeing the only home she ever knew to hop on the first freight train heading out of town. It is on this train where she will meet her travelling companion and eventual mentor for the runaway lifestyle --- Cinnamon. Cinnamon looks younger than she is but is actually twenty-five years old, she has just been on the road for a while. It’s just fortunate that Anne happened to land on her train because she is an ideal and safe mentor to meet at this time --- sort of like the physical embodiment of the gateway drug that introduces her to a new life of runaways and poor families living on the road which has become Anne’s new home.
THE RAVAGED is a decent first effort for Reedus and a solid read. Frank Bill, his co-writer, also penned the novel DONNEYBROOK which was turned into a good independent film of the same name. It’s nice to know that Daryl Dixon isn’t just a friendly redneck with crossbow!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
With all that swagger attached to his name, all Reedus had to do was pretty much put his name on the spine of a novel and he was practically guaranteed success. With the release of THE RAVAGED, co-written with Frank Bill, Reedus has done just that. I am pleased to say that he doesn’t just ‘phone it in’ with this novel as THE RAVAGED is an enjoyable read. I can also state that it reads exactly like you would expect something written by Norman Reedus to read --- gritty, realistic, violent, fast-moving, and fun.
THE RAVAGED tells us three different stories each of which featuring a character that must go on a journey. In each story, the principal characters are propelled into action as part of that journey --- either running towards something or away from something. What I enjoyed is that the way Reedus and Bill have gone about creating each of these characters veers away from being stereotypical, which I hope will surprise most readers who are drawn to this work, and that is what keeps the trio of tales fresh and interesting.
First, we have Hunter. As a huge animal lover, Hunter won me over immediately. He did this when he walked into the garage where he worked and found his dirtbag of a boss, Ox, beating on his pet dog Ruby. Hunter does what any self-respecting dog lover would do, he kicks him in the chin with his steel-toed boot, effectively quits his job, and then takes Ruby with him for his own. Shortly after that, Hunter learns that his father has died --- the victim of a mysterious house fire.
Hunter, along with Ruby, takes a couple of his old biker buddies --- appropriately named Itch and Nugget --- for a cross country rode trip from North Carolina to California. It in Cali where he is to claim what his father left behind for him in his will. More importantly is what Hunter will experience on said road trip as he prepares for his role as executor of his father’s estate and must go through many towns along the way as well as plenty of trips down memory lane which, for me, were the best parts of THE RAVAGED.
The second character in the trio is Jack, who I found to be the least accessible of the three. This was not because he was so much older, at age 65, than the other two, but possibly due to the fact that his mind was more drug-addled that his memories and dreams were more skewed as a result. He is in South America and what he chases is the past, are ghosts, the results of what his dying mother told him to do and how that seriously messed up his perspective ever since. Jack is literally ravaged by loss --- his wife died of cancer, his daughter committed suicide, and his son is a drug addict. He is in Chile hoping to find his own answers there and realizing it may not ever be that easy again.
Lastly, we have seventeen-year-old Anne. She is the victim of an attack by her own family --- her older brother brutally attacks her, forcing her to defend herself by hitting him with a skillet and fleeing the only home she ever knew to hop on the first freight train heading out of town. It is on this train where she will meet her travelling companion and eventual mentor for the runaway lifestyle --- Cinnamon. Cinnamon looks younger than she is but is actually twenty-five years old, she has just been on the road for a while. It’s just fortunate that Anne happened to land on her train because she is an ideal and safe mentor to meet at this time --- sort of like the physical embodiment of the gateway drug that introduces her to a new life of runaways and poor families living on the road which has become Anne’s new home.
THE RAVAGED is a decent first effort for Reedus and a solid read. Frank Bill, his co-writer, also penned the novel DONNEYBROOK which was turned into a good independent film of the same name. It’s nice to know that Daryl Dixon isn’t just a friendly redneck with crossbow!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
July 8, 2024
Idk what he was trying to say with this.
May 19, 2022
It would be easy to dismiss this book out of rote as a book by an actor. You would be completely wrong. This book is one of the most fascinating looks at the human spirit I’ve read in a long time. It’s not about the ending, it’s about the journey. It’s about the life lived.
Honestly this book reminds me of one of the classics that you read over and over again. Gaining something different and important with each read.
Honestly this book reminds me of one of the classics that you read over and over again. Gaining something different and important with each read.
October 20, 2022
I'm a Walking Dead fan. Watched it from the first and have seen every episode. My son bought me this book for Father's Day because he ran out of Walking Dead compendiums to buy me {insert smiley face here}. This book is kind of Darryl-cool; on the road, misfit trio of main characters involving running away, motorcycles, and poor judgement. It wasn't perfect, but it was entertaining and a good read. Roll on, Norman Reedus.
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