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Carry Each His Burden
by
James Goertel (Goodreads Author)
CARRY EACH HIS BURDEN is the debut fiction collection by James Goertel. Drawing from his background as an academic, media freelancer, and screenwriter, Goertel's writing is at once cinematic, richly crafted, and fiercely original. The five stories within are thematically tied to the collection's title: Carry Each His Burden. In the title story, the son of a literary giant...more
Paperback
Published
September 10th 2011
by CreateSpace
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Still in the process of reading this book and have to say although it's not the type of book I normally read, I am really enjoying it.
James writes in a way where you feel like you can honestly relate to the characters, they are just everyday, real-life people dealing with issues......but then, just when you're thinking, "Been there, or done that, can relate", the characters start getting a little twisted.
Its a bit scary when you're relating to these characters and then you see how they react whe...more
James writes in a way where you feel like you can honestly relate to the characters, they are just everyday, real-life people dealing with issues......but then, just when you're thinking, "Been there, or done that, can relate", the characters start getting a little twisted.
Its a bit scary when you're relating to these characters and then you see how they react whe...more
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Wow. Simply wow. I received a copy of Carry Each His Burden thanks to goodreads' first reads, and didn't expect that I'd be all that enamored with it. Not because of anything I have against the author or the subject matter, but because as a general rule I hate short stories. Now I'm coming to wonder if my hatred of short stories is just because I'd never read any good ones.
In Carry Each His Burden Goertel manages to craft five captivating stories that suck you in and leave you wondering "did tha...more
In Carry Each His Burden Goertel manages to craft five captivating stories that suck you in and leave you wondering "did tha...more
1 like · like · see review
I received this book through the First Reads giveaway program on Goodreads.
A wonderful collection of stories that will stay with you for a long time after you have finished this book.
A wonderful collection of stories that will stay with you for a long time after you have finished this book.
James Goertel is a writer who particularly rewards those for whom reading is an intense pleasure ...He is among the very few North American writers all of whose work I want to read, whose as yet unpublished books I wait for impatiently. Goertels descriptive powers are on a plane with those of John Updike and precious few others. The stories really delve into each " personnage "- To a limit that we may or may not remember having been there ourselves - At some point. ( For better or for worse!!)....more
Excellent read of short stories. When I got to the end of each stories I was wanting them to keep going.Read it in a day couldn't put down.
1 like · like · see review
I admit going in to this book I was already convinced I would love this book, after I took a writing class in Westfield N.Y and met Mr. Goertel who inspired me to finish my book while we smoked a cigarette together,but I can guarantee my review is not biased. I give this book a three and a half stars but because of the rating system I can not. I read the first story arch of this book and was admittedly a bit disappointed at all the answers it left unanswered and the confusing jumping around, bu...more
I received this book from the author to read and review.
James Goertel has me pensive. The characters' journeys from his book, "Carry Each His Burden" are swirling in my thoughts. They will stick with me for a very long time, and I have no desire to shake them off. Five riveting, and perfectly executed short stories, comprise this debut book by Goertel. His talent with the pen will transport you to the scene of each of these chapters; you will be influenced. The feeling is overwhelming that you a...more
James Goertel has me pensive. The characters' journeys from his book, "Carry Each His Burden" are swirling in my thoughts. They will stick with me for a very long time, and I have no desire to shake them off. Five riveting, and perfectly executed short stories, comprise this debut book by Goertel. His talent with the pen will transport you to the scene of each of these chapters; you will be influenced. The feeling is overwhelming that you a...more
A series of semi-not so short, short stories, that are all muscle and brine, stories about artists as thieves and hunters, meth heads and blue collar guys all of whose mistakes and poor decisions compound on one another inviting not just further mistakes and poor decisions, but revenge, and death, always death by someone's hand other than their own, but not always that either, not totally.
More - http://bentanzer.blogspot.com/2011/11...
More - http://bentanzer.blogspot.com/2011/11...
Got this one from Goodreads and have to say it was different. I always enjoy something that makes me think and this did.
1 like · like · see review
I had a really hard time getting into the stories in this book. Most of the stories were depressing, because most of the characters themselves seemed to be depressed. I am not used to reading books like that. However, I did enjoy the last story, Almost Blue. I was able to relate to the characters more, and was intrigued by the way it was written. Each section was written from the view of a different character, and they all gave their views on the main character. I liked the twist with the missin...more
Carry Each His Burden is a collection of 5 short stories. I can say they are exceptionally written. Short stories are not normally my forte, but I won this in a goodreads giveaway and I am glad that I read it. The stories have a dark undertone of how we as humans behave and the decisions we make based on our emotions. I think stories like these need to be told more often because life is not a fairy tale. I definitely recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading what else this author h...more
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It not only touched my soul but left it's mark on it. I cried, I laughed. It was so well written that it captured moments in life that few of us slow down long enough to even see let alone confront.
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I am a horrible person for having a habit of judging books by their covers. I sort of assumed this was going to be a boring book because of the font. Yeah, I know it's ridiculous. The title drew me in, and I like the picture on the cover. It turned out to be very interesting, despite the font. Even though the characters were almost all evil in their own ways, you sort of understood them. I definitely recommend this book.
1 like · like · see review
I won this on Goodreads first reads and I gave this book the middle of the road rating because I just couldn't get into it. Some of the stories where good but nothing I would say was jumping off the page exciting.
Overall the writer did a good job with all other aspects of the book. Maybe if it was a complete book rather than short stories it would have been better.
Overall the writer did a good job with all other aspects of the book. Maybe if it was a complete book rather than short stories it would have been better.
Free firstreads giveaway book. It was a sad bunch of short stories. Everyone kept dying. Fortunately, you don't get attached to the characters, and mostly you don't even admire them, so it's not as if I was crying my eyes out. But the situations were sad.
Apr 22, 2013
Kevin Young
marked it as to-read
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Carol Brannigan
marked it as giveaways
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anonymous
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Ann-Marie
marked it as bft-short-story
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Born in North Dakota, James Goertel spent twenty years working in television with ABC, NBC, and ESPN, among others. He now teaches writing at Penn State Erie.
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“King was a celebrity in this dump and carried himself accordingly across the sticky floorboards to the bar and a lineup of patrons who seemed to be wearing mug shots for faces.”
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