Grey Pine

by Terry Lloyd Winetsky

Based on real events, Grey Pine is a gripping story of one man's struggle to survive amidst the chaos of the forces of nature and the inner workings of a troubled mind. On May 18, 1980, the eruption of Mount Saint Helens captured the attention of America. The communities east of the Cascade Mountains were woefully unprepared for the devastation and disruption that followed, transforming for many a bright spring day into a murky, twenty-hour night. Grey Pine is the story of Phillip Stark, a bright and innovative young science teacher who attempts to treat the ash fall as an opportunity for experiment and wonder, but who is constantly thwarted by the resulting havoc in the community, and his own personal demons. As his health declines, his relationships suffer. The chaotic and often dangerous situations with his alcoholic father, irksome neighbor, unreliable girlfriend, and strained friendships derail any attempt to regain control of his life. All the while the omnipresent ash from the volcanic eruption acts as a symbolic reminder of his oppression and inability to break through. Grey Pine is a gritty account of post-Vietnam America that chronicles social ills that are not unfamiliar to us in the present youth suicide, clinical depression, racial tension, alcoholism, and the malaise from an unpopular war. Phillip must learn to find a way to hold on to his sanity and strength to move past the obstacles created by the forces of nature--both those from without and within.

Genres: Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2007

About the author

Terry Lloyd Winetsky grew up in Los Angeles; he has taught English, Spanish and ESL to people of all ages in L.A., the Southwest, the Northwest, and Alaska. After surviving a brain aneurysm and stroke, Winetsky retired from full-time teaching and began writing long fiction. He still teaches English part-time to adult farm workers in Wapato, Washington.

He is the author of three collections of verse: "Belaganna," "On Utopia Creek," and "Hell." GREY PINE, his second novel and first published, is psychological/literary fiction. A 2010 second edition commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Mt. St. Helens eruption (greypine.com). MARIA JUANA'S GIFT is literary/multicultural fiction dealing with medical malpractice, set on the US/Mexico border in 1968. The second edition of "GIFT" was published in 2011. (mariasgift.com)

As in all of his novels so far, LOS ANGLES, 1968: HAPPY RANCH TO WATTS will have a teacher for a central character. Set in L.A. during the volatile spring of 1968, RANCH was just published on 4/4/14. Winetsky's fourth novel, BELAGANNA, is going to be set on the Navajo Reservation in "BIA days."

Terry and Kathleen, a special ed. teacher, live on Yakima Ridge near the town of Moxee, Washington. They have four grown children.

Reviews

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of one man’s spiral into a deep depression – and his struggles to fight it, even as he continues to give in to its pull. It’s a fascinating psychological study of mental illness and the effect it has not only on the sufferer but those around him, as well.

Following the death of his mother, Phillip’s father falls into severe alcoholism. When he’s drinking, he becomes verbally abusive and Phillip begins to see his father as two different personalities … the father whom he loves and the stranger who takes over his body when alcohol enters the picture. As he struggles to try to stop his father from destroying himself, he begins the blame others for the circumstances he finds himself in.

The effect on Phillip is nothing short of heartbreaking. He stops eating properly, he can’t sleep, he withdraws from friends and family and he self-medicates with ulcer medication. He also begins to exhibit some compulsive tendencies when the eruption of Mount St. Helens leaves the area under a blanket of ash and Phillip spends all his waking moments working to clear up the mess in his yard and on the street.

I found this book interesting on several levels. First, I remember vividly the mess we all dealt with here in eastern Washington following the eruption of the volcano in 1980. Life basically stopped for several days as we dug ourselves out of inches and inches of gray powder. Reading Grey Pine, I can see how this gloominess could cause sadness in those already suffering from depression. I would compare it to seasonal affective disorder, in which the darkness winter can throw those afflicted by it into melancholy.

I also enjoy reading books that have a psychological milieu. I find it fascinating reading an author’s take on these issues and theories, especially those who have done their research and know something about the disorders.

Last month, I read the book Maria Juana’s Gift by this same author. I very much enjoyed that story, too. He is currently working on another book and I hope to have the opportunity to also read that one. For more information, you can visit his website.

T. Lloyd Winetsky wrote Grey Pine in 2007. The book was reprinted in 2009, just in time for the 30th anniversary of the eruption. The updated version includes photos Mr. Winetsky took outside his home in Othello, Washington, where he was living in 1980. Those familiar with my profile know I now live in Othello, although I was living about an hour northeast during the ash fall.

[I'd So Rather Be Reading {Nat} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grey Pine tells the story of Phillip, a young man with an alcoholic father and a mother who died of cancer. The story starts with the Mount Saint Helens eruption and resultant ash fall around the surrounding areas. If you've ever been through the aftermath of a natural disaster, Phillip's account of cleaning up his yard and home will bring those feelings back. I was reminded of the evacuations and devastation left behind after Hurricans Rita and Ike here in Southeast Texas.

The ash left behind after the volcano eruption reminded me of the scenery in Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Along with the natural disaster, Phillip is dealing with severe personal problems, namely depression. Grey Pine is very well executed. I found myself compelled to keep reading, even though the book made me sad at times.

Grey Pine is a book that will make you think. It made me think about people's prejudices, the differences in medicine now and thirty years ago, parent-child relationships, addiction, and domestic violence. I don't usually read this kind of book (I'm more into escapism reading), but I enjoyed Grey Pine. It reminded me a lot of The Road, in a good way.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phillip didn't have the picture perfect childhood. His father is in love with the bottle and his mom passed away. When Mount Saint Helen erupts, Philips first thought is to learn everything he can about this massive outburst as he can. The disaster hits home and from that point on he finds himself in situations he never could have fathomed.

Phillip is one of those characters that feels oh-so-real. He's the type of person that you can relate to and one who you can't help but like right off the bat. I give this book two thumbs up!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My friend's dad wrote this book and she gave me an autographed copy! I really enjoyed it and found it quite engaging- so much so that I finished it in one day and found my mind wandering back over parts of it for several days. It was a really interesting look back at the time surrounding the eruption of Mt. St. Helens and it delves into interpersonal relationships in a fascinating way.

[Ona]

My dad wrote this book so I had to read it, but actually wound up enjoying it.

[Ellen Allmendinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that reminds me of Yakima during Mt St Helens eruption. Interesting read by a good Yakima area author.