Survivor: A Modern Adventure

by Robert Steele Gray

An overweight, fortysomething couch potato who adores electronic gadgets, Mark Lewellyn is caught up in the challenge of his life when twin lightning bolts hurtle him back in time to Stone Age America, where he must use all his wits and ingenuity to survive. A first novel. 15,000 first printing.

336 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 1998

Reviews

[Jana Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of the book I thought there were just too many things happening to Mark for it to seem plausible. The more the book went on and Mark found the valley he was searching for, I found myself really enjoying it. Hard to imagine trying to survive without modern conveniences after you have lived your entire life with them. It was fun to see how Mark adapted to his new life.

[Andrew Niemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has languished on my shelf for far too long. Picked it up a few days ago and found I could not put it down. Very well written, entertaining, and thought provoking. The author puts the reader right in the middle of the events as they occur.

[Stacy Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine a life of no electricity? Would we survive? Proven for thousands of years before the invention of the light bulb, the answer is undoubtedly, yes. Man has survived and prevailed!

Mark Lewellyn lived an easy life. He was carefully chosen as a suitable husband by his wife looking toward a lifetime of wealth. Mark worked from home and spent much of his free-time enjoying a luxurious lifestyle; complete with lounging in a recliner in his crisp white jogging suit while watching his favorite sports broadcast. Until one day, a lightening strike uprooted this overweight man from his modern day conveniences to a pre-historic America. Equipped with very little survival skills, Mark is driven by instinct (and a stellar swing of a few rocks at hand) to survive wild animals, freak storms, starvation, and rogue Indians. Eventually, he stumbles upon a man from a peaceful tribe of hunters and gatherers in which Mark learns the value of manual labor.

A unique read, Robert Steele Gray transports the reader through time where modern day conveniences no longer exist. Survivor is not for the light of heart. The gruesome detail of the kill to bring food and hides to their families is enough to make one’s stomach churn. This book will keep the reader in suspense when Mark discovers a much greater threat than wild animals.

Survivor is a recommended read for those who enjoy the gore found in Dean Koontz and Stephen King novels. Historical novel lovers will especially enjoy the details Mr. Gray incorporated into this book, and rediscover a land unblemished by the “civilized” man.

[Linda B.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book written in 1998. I bought this book because of the high ratings it had. When I read the inside cover, I was disappointed. I didn't think it was what I would want to read. I had just finished another book about a man alone during the dinosaur times.(It was not a good read for me). Time around 1000BC-700AD. I immediately thought this would be like that horrible book. The first two chapters were a little slow. I thought , (yes, it's like the bad book). It's a good thing I read the third chapter because then I was hooked! The characters were alive, loving, and realistic. I found myself walking with him with every step of the way. It takes places in the Woodland Prehistoric community, (an archaeologist dig), in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For me, true facts and real places make a story much more interesting. This story is very complex: tragedy, loneliness, fear, family, friendship, loyalty, war, and love. A great time travel story with real events and places. Survivor: A Modern Adventure At the end of the story the author sates exactly where this is and that a person can walk to this site- a one hour hike. NOTE: the words: ..."A Modern Adventure" was NOT on the cover of my book. All my book says- the title is : Survivor by Robert Steel Gray. No doubt, if this book had been published today, (instead of 1998), it would be on the New York's Best Selling List.

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was actually very well written. It is easy to read the characters were very distinct and the action went flowed from scene to scene.

[Nancy Packard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - kept me turning pages. Would recommend it to anyone who likes a little something different to read.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story itself was an interesting concept, but it seemed to drag on forever with the same stuff. I also didn't like how it ended. Kind of left you to wonder. Overall, I enjoyed it.

[Jonathan Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my fav books of all time! I cant believe its soo hard to find. I have read it prob 10 times in my life, and every time I like something different about the story.

[K.N. Timofeev · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book had so much promise...sigh. Not the best way to start off a reading year. The main character was completely unlikable and unbelievable. Oh well.