What do you think?
Rate this book
Away from Everywhere
Brothers Owen and Alex Collins are brought together when mental illness claims their father and sets off a chain reaction of unrelated, heart-breaking events. Both tender and bold in its delivery, Away from Everywhere cuts no corners in telling the story of their crushing childhood, the reasons the brothers become different men, and the unthinkable act of love that tears them apart. Part warped love story, part family tragedy, Away from Everywhere is a heart-stomping pageturner.
This novel has been adapted into a film starring Jason Priestley, Shawn Doyle, and Joanne Kelly.
Winner of the ArtsNL CBC Emerging Artist of the Year award.
Shortlisted for the Canadian Authors’ Association Emerging Writer of the Year award.
Shortlisted for the 2010 ReLit Award
This novel has been adapted into a film starring Jason Priestley, Shawn Doyle, and Joanne Kelly.
Winner of the ArtsNL CBC Emerging Artist of the Year award.
Shortlisted for the Canadian Authors’ Association Emerging Writer of the Year award.
Shortlisted for the 2010 ReLit Award
298 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
3 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Chad Pelley
6 books33 followersChad Pelley’s fiction has been recognized by a dozen literary awards.
His debut novel, Away from Everywhere, was a Coles bestseller, and was adapted into a film starring Jason Priestley, Joanne Kelly, and Shawn Doyle. Away from Everywhere was also shortlisted for the ReLit Award, the Canadian Author’s Association’s Emerging Author Award, and it won the CBC NLAC Emerging Artist Award. His second novel, Every Little Thing, was also shortlisted for the ReLit award.
His collection of short stories, Four Letter Words, was shortlisted for the Alistair MacLeod Short Fiction Prize and was a finalist for the Forward INDIES book of the year.
He is currently working on a novel about a society opposed to what's been imposed on them, set 30 years in the future
His debut novel, Away from Everywhere, was a Coles bestseller, and was adapted into a film starring Jason Priestley, Joanne Kelly, and Shawn Doyle. Away from Everywhere was also shortlisted for the ReLit Award, the Canadian Author’s Association’s Emerging Author Award, and it won the CBC NLAC Emerging Artist Award. His second novel, Every Little Thing, was also shortlisted for the ReLit award.
His collection of short stories, Four Letter Words, was shortlisted for the Alistair MacLeod Short Fiction Prize and was a finalist for the Forward INDIES book of the year.
He is currently working on a novel about a society opposed to what's been imposed on them, set 30 years in the future
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 10, 2011
Away from Everywhere is one of the most beautiful novels I have ever read. I have made several attempts at writing a review and I just don't feel that there are words to describe it.
August 18, 2011
Absolutely LOVE.
I promise, once you start, you won't be able to stop!
I promise, once you start, you won't be able to stop!
February 2, 2013
Simply put – Away from Everywhere took me away from everything and back again.
After hearing Chad Pelley himself read the first few pages of his book at the Writer’s Federation of New Brunswick WordsSpring I was gripped and disappointed that his book had already sold out at the event. I added it immediately to my “to-buy” list and put it right at the top.
Hearing Pelley read the beginning of the novel again when I read it, I was able to carry his voice throughout the book which added so much to it’s impact.
Pelley took on the voice of two brothers with completely different views of their similar world as well as a woman caught between them. Not knowing who to sympathize with more I was easily relating to the married doctor detached from his family, his brother the passionate brother falling in love with the loves possibilities and the woman who was married to the first but falling for the second.
As a writer I easily sided with Owen, the struggling author searching for his next big break but being distracted by the freedom and excitement of reality only I couldn’t look past that he was taking a wife away from her husband and two young girls. I’m a sucker for romance and falling in love, of course, but death do you part and all that. Once committed always committed, with so very few exceptions.
And Alex. The man trying to be a success in the work place at the expense of his relationships. While he was ever diligent in making his social status climb he disengaged from those who mattered most with such ease I learned to despise him and yet forgive him in the next scene.
Their father who was a successful writer we meet only through memories and the eyes of his sons as his world of fiction became his own reality. Scoring jobs, meeting people, and solving crimes that could never be recorded for proof and were no longer written down as fiction. I had to wonder how many fictional writers have a little schizophrenia inside trying to pour out, our fingers acting as a dam.
A brilliant novel which left me both loving being a writer, inspired by Pelley who is becoming a great success in the author field at such a young age and also cursing the fact that I truly am a writer as there is so much truth to Owen’s struggle and distraction with making a living doing what he loves.
This is a must must must must read in my books and one I will definitely be reading again in later years to see how my view of their stories have changed. It’ll be interesting to discover their world all over again. I can’t wait for the next novel by Pelley.
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
author of Arm Farm, Sending You Sammy and Brain Tales - Volume One
After hearing Chad Pelley himself read the first few pages of his book at the Writer’s Federation of New Brunswick WordsSpring I was gripped and disappointed that his book had already sold out at the event. I added it immediately to my “to-buy” list and put it right at the top.
Hearing Pelley read the beginning of the novel again when I read it, I was able to carry his voice throughout the book which added so much to it’s impact.
Pelley took on the voice of two brothers with completely different views of their similar world as well as a woman caught between them. Not knowing who to sympathize with more I was easily relating to the married doctor detached from his family, his brother the passionate brother falling in love with the loves possibilities and the woman who was married to the first but falling for the second.
As a writer I easily sided with Owen, the struggling author searching for his next big break but being distracted by the freedom and excitement of reality only I couldn’t look past that he was taking a wife away from her husband and two young girls. I’m a sucker for romance and falling in love, of course, but death do you part and all that. Once committed always committed, with so very few exceptions.
And Alex. The man trying to be a success in the work place at the expense of his relationships. While he was ever diligent in making his social status climb he disengaged from those who mattered most with such ease I learned to despise him and yet forgive him in the next scene.
Their father who was a successful writer we meet only through memories and the eyes of his sons as his world of fiction became his own reality. Scoring jobs, meeting people, and solving crimes that could never be recorded for proof and were no longer written down as fiction. I had to wonder how many fictional writers have a little schizophrenia inside trying to pour out, our fingers acting as a dam.
A brilliant novel which left me both loving being a writer, inspired by Pelley who is becoming a great success in the author field at such a young age and also cursing the fact that I truly am a writer as there is so much truth to Owen’s struggle and distraction with making a living doing what he loves.
This is a must must must must read in my books and one I will definitely be reading again in later years to see how my view of their stories have changed. It’ll be interesting to discover their world all over again. I can’t wait for the next novel by Pelley.
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
author of Arm Farm, Sending You Sammy and Brain Tales - Volume One
July 14, 2017
I stumbled upon this book quite by accident. I found a volume of short stories by this author but because I'm not a big fan of them, I decided to try his first novel.
This is a very compelling novel. I was grabbed by the beginning and stayed on the edge of my seat as the characters bared themselves before me. That may seem an odd way to describe how a story is told but that is what Chad Pelley did here. The plot is secondary to discovering the characters and how they interact, how they effect each other, and how they impact the story as it unfolds.
I would recommend this novel.
This is a very compelling novel. I was grabbed by the beginning and stayed on the edge of my seat as the characters bared themselves before me. That may seem an odd way to describe how a story is told but that is what Chad Pelley did here. The plot is secondary to discovering the characters and how they interact, how they effect each other, and how they impact the story as it unfolds.
I would recommend this novel.
June 10, 2013
This book just blew me away. Right from the opening chapter, it takes you through a dark and depressing journey that won't allow you to put it down.
The characters and their situations were so real. The descriptions of east coast towns make you feel like you are there. This was truly one of the greatest novels I have ever read.
The characters and their situations were so real. The descriptions of east coast towns make you feel like you are there. This was truly one of the greatest novels I have ever read.
January 16, 2025
this was really good. really sad. i’m not sure how to feel after.
July 6, 2012
Rather than weep and tweet about the impending closing of Aqua Books in Winnipeg, I went shopping there while I still could. This was one of the treasures I found.
July 6, 2012
I read this book at the same time as I read Katrina Onstad's How Happy to Be. Well actually, I started reading Onstad and then for some reason picked up Away from Everywhere, read it non-stop, and then picked up where I left off on Onstad and read it til I finished. They have similar themes (mother dies, father is ill-equipped to parent & the effects of that on their children) and both books are very compelling reads.
I am lucky in that my own parents lived well into my own adulthood, so it is hard for me to even imagine what it would be like to have one die while I was a child. My only reference point comes from a female friend, an only child, whose mother passed away when she was just twelve. When I try to assess why she is like she is, I inevitably attribute her issues to the fact that her mom was lost to her when she needed her most. So it was a little easier for me, as a woman, to understand (although not necessarily like) Onstad's Maxime than Pelley's Owen.
In fact I quite disliked Onstad's Maxine at the beginning of that book (although warmed to her more as the book progressed), but I liked Owen almost from the beginning. And yet, Owen is the far more tragic figure.
July 11, 2012
It's now been about a week since I finished reading Away from Everywhere and yet I carry the characters around with me. I talk to them, question them, judge them. It is unusual for me to do that. I am a lazy reader for the most part and, while I may marvel at how a story is put together or how an author has left little treasures for me to find as I read and may derive true pleasure in reading, for the most part, as soon as I close the covers on one book's world, I leave that world behind to find another.
---to be continued---
July 6, 2012
I read this book at the same time as I read Katrina Onstad's How Happy to Be. Well actually, I started reading Onstad and then for some reason picked up Away from Everywhere, read it non-stop, and then picked up where I left off on Onstad and read it til I finished. They have similar themes (mother dies, father is ill-equipped to parent & the effects of that on their children) and both books are very compelling reads.
I am lucky in that my own parents lived well into my own adulthood, so it is hard for me to even imagine what it would be like to have one die while I was a child. My only reference point comes from a female friend, an only child, whose mother passed away when she was just twelve. When I try to assess why she is like she is, I inevitably attribute her issues to the fact that her mom was lost to her when she needed her most. So it was a little easier for me, as a woman, to understand (although not necessarily like) Onstad's Maxime than Pelley's Owen.
In fact I quite disliked Onstad's Maxine at the beginning of that book (although warmed to her more as the book progressed), but I liked Owen almost from the beginning. And yet, Owen is the far more tragic figure.
July 11, 2012
It's now been about a week since I finished reading Away from Everywhere and yet I carry the characters around with me. I talk to them, question them, judge them. It is unusual for me to do that. I am a lazy reader for the most part and, while I may marvel at how a story is put together or how an author has left little treasures for me to find as I read and may derive true pleasure in reading, for the most part, as soon as I close the covers on one book's world, I leave that world behind to find another.
---to be continued---
December 11, 2016
Spoiler Alert!!!
Wow!! So good!! I wish at the time I expressed my suspicions about Owen's schizophrenia when he was diagnosed with depersonalization disorder. I remember thinking "hmmm Apple doesn't fall far from the tree". And I knew at the bar that Emily was questionable when Clyde made no reference to her the entire night. Ahhh the novel had me sobbing in the final chapters. It went too deep for me on subjects I have a hard time reading about. Loved this book! I cannot express how it griped me, the multi-faceted, plethora of ways it hinged me into it. I wish it didn't take me this long to finish! I'm happy with the outcome of it the way it is. The alternate endings would have been sub-par IMHO. Kudos. Amazing read!
Wow!! So good!! I wish at the time I expressed my suspicions about Owen's schizophrenia when he was diagnosed with depersonalization disorder. I remember thinking "hmmm Apple doesn't fall far from the tree". And I knew at the bar that Emily was questionable when Clyde made no reference to her the entire night. Ahhh the novel had me sobbing in the final chapters. It went too deep for me on subjects I have a hard time reading about. Loved this book! I cannot express how it griped me, the multi-faceted, plethora of ways it hinged me into it. I wish it didn't take me this long to finish! I'm happy with the outcome of it the way it is. The alternate endings would have been sub-par IMHO. Kudos. Amazing read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2011
Captivating...
Heartbreaking...
This is definitely an "I cant put this down" kinda book. I was hooked from page one, immediately forgetting all other books I was reading. Ive given this book to my GM, who has passed it on to another GM, who passed it on to another...and to the Western VP of the company who is passing it on to Heather...I can only hope for wonderful things to happen because this book deserves the recognition. If anything I will personally just keep hand-selling the heck out of it just so people can get it into their hands...
For so young an author this is a stunning first work and I cannot wait to get my hands on his next book!
Heartbreaking...
This is definitely an "I cant put this down" kinda book. I was hooked from page one, immediately forgetting all other books I was reading. Ive given this book to my GM, who has passed it on to another GM, who passed it on to another...and to the Western VP of the company who is passing it on to Heather...I can only hope for wonderful things to happen because this book deserves the recognition. If anything I will personally just keep hand-selling the heck out of it just so people can get it into their hands...
For so young an author this is a stunning first work and I cannot wait to get my hands on his next book!
January 4, 2019
The story captivated me right from the first paragraph, and was so heartbreakingly real, emotional and dark I couldn't help but feel so much compassion for all of the characters and the trials they had endured. The story was poignant and brought me to tears numerous times, simply from the depth and honesty of the writing, the incredible humanness of Owen, Hannah and Alex. I'm not easily moved, nor do I usually read books with such depth and heaviness but this was more than worth it, so brilliantly done.
I look forward to the movie to see the amazing Shawn Doyle bring Owen to life, and see gorgeous Newfoundland on the big screen. Will certainly read more books by Chad Pelley!
I look forward to the movie to see the amazing Shawn Doyle bring Owen to life, and see gorgeous Newfoundland on the big screen. Will certainly read more books by Chad Pelley!
April 28, 2013
I read this book so fast! I absolutely loved it! There was love, and I always love a good love story and there was mystery and suspense. The ending is amazing, it takes a big twist, one you don't expect but I did have half a clue as to what was coming next. I like the idea of twins in books and this book shows us how they can be effected so differently from the same events. I am looking forward to reading more from this up and coming author!
March 4, 2012
I really enjoyed this novel. The characters were compelling and full of depth. I liked/disliked bit & pieces of them all. I was sad when it ended. I wanted to know more of Owen; that he was ok, somewhere that made him happy, safe. I would be happy to read a novel just about Owen and how he copes with his illness and life. Thanks Chad x :)
March 9, 2017
A beautifully written meditation on love, misunderstanding, mental illness and loss (and loss and loss - maybe a little too much loss!)
October 25, 2021
Probably a 3.5. I was impressed by the opening, and the character of Owen and his relationship with his father, were very intense and interesting. There was some wonderful description... I think Owen's jotting down details as he sees them, must be a realistic account of Pelley's technique.
However, I found Hannah, and her journal, quite unbelievable as a real person. I don't think a woman such as Owen describes would behave as she does, and no one would write a journal like that, unless it was for publication.
And the ENDING!!??? [spoiler alert]
Oh come on, 9th grade "it was all a dream"?? so where did the illusion begin? Is Hannah dead? Did Owen cause the accident? Did I bother reading this book?
Yes, I know the father was schizophrenic and there's a genetic link. That doesn't make this a good ending.
However, I found Hannah, and her journal, quite unbelievable as a real person. I don't think a woman such as Owen describes would behave as she does, and no one would write a journal like that, unless it was for publication.
And the ENDING!!??? [spoiler alert]
Oh come on, 9th grade "it was all a dream"?? so where did the illusion begin? Is Hannah dead? Did Owen cause the accident? Did I bother reading this book?
Yes, I know the father was schizophrenic and there's a genetic link. That doesn't make this a good ending.
March 1, 2018
A beautifully written book full of vivid detail and fascinating characters. Pelley has a distinctive voice, easy to read but still packed with evocation. Unusually for a Newfoundland story, his book makes very little use of the province, but it feels appropriate here - this is a character piece first and foremost, and Owen's journey and his attempts at redemption will break your heart repeatedly.
The only mark against the book in my judgement is its ending, which is explicit about a situation that is already obvious. It seems like overkill in this case.
Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed Away From Everywhere, and I look forward to reading more work from Mr. Pelley.
The only mark against the book in my judgement is its ending, which is explicit about a situation that is already obvious. It seems like overkill in this case.
Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed Away From Everywhere, and I look forward to reading more work from Mr. Pelley.
December 6, 2020
Amazing book!
January 3, 2021
By far one of my favourite books and one of the rare few I have read more than once.
June 12, 2021
This was a fantastic read. A little hidden gem I picked up along time ago and just got around to reading it. Loved it. Did not want to put it down. You need to read this book. Fantastic lyricist.
January 30, 2010
Newfoundland author Chad Pelley understands the dynamics of families, the give and take, the love and the hate. It is the kindling of good drama, and in his debut novel Away from Everywhere, Pelley uses it to creating a roaring fire of familial angst.
Pelley starts his narrative in the middle, a tragic accident involving two of the principles, working back and forth from that point to fill the pieces of the puzzle. Alex and Owen are fraternal twins, born to a strong mother figure and a journalist father who, it is quickly revealed, suffers from schizophrenia. Pelley captures the deterioration of personality with grace and nuance; indeed, it is when Pelley confronts the darker elements that his story comes truly alive.
Read the rest of the review here.
Pelley starts his narrative in the middle, a tragic accident involving two of the principles, working back and forth from that point to fill the pieces of the puzzle. Alex and Owen are fraternal twins, born to a strong mother figure and a journalist father who, it is quickly revealed, suffers from schizophrenia. Pelley captures the deterioration of personality with grace and nuance; indeed, it is when Pelley confronts the darker elements that his story comes truly alive.
Read the rest of the review here.
July 26, 2011
This book was gifted to me by a friend who lives far, far away--and I'm so glad she sent it across an international border (twice) to get it to me. I would not normally seek out books with such raw emotion--this is the stuff I hide from in reality, so I tend to skirt around it in fiction. But this book has a difference, and a way of pulling you down into its characters' lives. It's about how much bitterness a person can swallow, and how full the glass of life lived will remain in the end... That's a big sentence, but it matches this big book. Go ahead and read it, and you'll see what I mean--and I'll be looking forward to the author's next book... Hit the author's site for a direct link to buy (http://chadpelley.wordpress.com/).
May 23, 2013
How could I not LOVE a book that mentions my hometown and features a trip on the ferry from Cape Breton to Newfoundland ;) Truly, I loved the way Pelley describes things, very impressive even bringing me to tears at times. It is a beautifully written, page turner that you can't help but get lost in reading. A book for people who love books!
November 23, 2012
I enjoyed this novel, but I've never seen this many typos in a completed book. I counted about a dozen, mostly two-letter words (on instead of in, is instead of it), but also some misspellings (guttaral instead of guttural). Surprising to see in such an otherwise good book.
September 8, 2013
Absolutely incredible! I couldn't put it down, and have lent it out to all of a friends that read. They all agreed that this book was impeccable. Chad Pelley did an incredible job and I truly believed I was reading a woman's diary.
June 24, 2015
This book is one of my absolute favourites.
Chad pulled together an intense story of struggle, love, and loss all wrapped up in his unique and breath taking style of the written word.
I've probably read Away From Everywhere 30 times, it's my go to book on a rainy day.
Chad pulled together an intense story of struggle, love, and loss all wrapped up in his unique and breath taking style of the written word.
I've probably read Away From Everywhere 30 times, it's my go to book on a rainy day.
October 19, 2011
Exactly what I love in fiction; real.
April 22, 2012
Review is finished. Took me long enough didn't it? Find it here.
June 14, 2012
Quite the dramatic story. What hasn't happened to this poor main character? Still not sure how I feel about the ending; need to think on it more.
December 13, 2012
I LOVED this book...couldn't put it down!!!!! Read it and you'll experience Newfoundland to boot!
October 16, 2013
I don't know how to feel about this book. I liked a LOT of it, but it made me so goddamned depressed. I don't feel inspired. Just tired. Please, more happier moments.
September 26, 2013
When I started reading this I felt I could only give it a 2 - but it insidiously leached onto me and wouldn't let go...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews