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13th out of 13 books
—
5 voters
My Temporary Life (My Temporary Life #1)
Heroes are not born. They're made.
Malcolm Wilson's strength was forged during harsh childhood days--ugly days when he faced down schoolyard bullies and endured the neglect of a promiscuous mother. It is a strength that he has wielded to defend himself and his friends.
Yet those years and traumas have taken their toll. Somewhere along the way, Malcolm Wilson lost his love of...more
Malcolm Wilson's strength was forged during harsh childhood days--ugly days when he faced down schoolyard bullies and endured the neglect of a promiscuous mother. It is a strength that he has wielded to defend himself and his friends.
Yet those years and traumas have taken their toll. Somewhere along the way, Malcolm Wilson lost his love of...more
Kindle Edition, 333 pages
Published
(first published December 19th 2011)
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This book was both a good read AND an example of a self-pub that could have used the help of an experienced editor. It's not the typos that are the problem (though there are some hefty comma issues in the second half). It's the narrative structure, which is jarring and leaves the reader feeling as though there are two very different books packaged together.
Despite that, I recommend it.
(view spoiler)...more
Despite that, I recommend it.
(view spoiler)...more
I had heard so much about this novel, that my curiosity was really peaked. I have very little time to read for pleasure, so one evening, I decided to treat myself to some uninterrupted reading time. And what a treat this story is!
Essentially, it chronicles the main character,Malcolm's life in two parts. The first part of the story involves young Malcolm as a young teenager, as he copes with school bullies, poverty, and his parents' break-up. Told in heart-wrenching detail, it was hard to believ...more
Essentially, it chronicles the main character,Malcolm's life in two parts. The first part of the story involves young Malcolm as a young teenager, as he copes with school bullies, poverty, and his parents' break-up. Told in heart-wrenching detail, it was hard to believ...more
I don’t write book reviews that recap the story. The book description serves that purpose. I rather prefer to share my reaction to the book and how it grabbed or didn’t grab me. This one was a grabber. It’s been a long time since a book has touched me as deeply as MY TEMPORARY LIFE did. The irony was that I chose to read this particular book in order to be in a literary world far removed from the reality of daily life. Surely a storyline about a young lad growing up in Scotland would be about as...more
An explosive first novel that entertains on every page. It has everything, simply everything –a coming of age, a romance, and a thriller rolled into one delightful read.
From the first sentence we’re drawn into the harsh Scotland schoolboy world of Malcolm and Hardly. Malcolm’s summers in Canada with his mother offer little comfort. He survives by running; running through the streets, running between Scotland and Canada, running from himself and his past. Flash ahead 20 years. In Canada, Malcolm...more
This was so good.
The traditional publishing model is broken indeed if a string of publishers rejected Martin Crosbie’s excellent first novel. I can’t imagine what made them turn it down. The plot is engaging from the beginning, filled with grabbers like high-school bullying and drunkenness and a strong statement about child abuse.
It’s traditional publishers’ loss, and Crosbie’s gain. He published the book himself and took it to number one on Amazon’s paid list for a whole day last spring.
Synpo...more
The traditional publishing model is broken indeed if a string of publishers rejected Martin Crosbie’s excellent first novel. I can’t imagine what made them turn it down. The plot is engaging from the beginning, filled with grabbers like high-school bullying and drunkenness and a strong statement about child abuse.
It’s traditional publishers’ loss, and Crosbie’s gain. He published the book himself and took it to number one on Amazon’s paid list for a whole day last spring.
Synpo...more
Every once in a while I come across a book that makes me stop, think and thank the powers that be for great writers. That is how I felt when I read My Temporary Life by Martin Crosbie.
This story starts when Malcolm is thirteen years old and living in Scotland. Malcolm's parents are divorced and while his Scots father lives in his homeland Malcolm's mother resides in her native Canada. Malcolm is a young man torn not only between two parents but also between two continents. The character of Malco...more
This story starts when Malcolm is thirteen years old and living in Scotland. Malcolm's parents are divorced and while his Scots father lives in his homeland Malcolm's mother resides in her native Canada. Malcolm is a young man torn not only between two parents but also between two continents. The character of Malco...more
My Temporary Life begins in Scotland in 1976, with Malcolm, the main character of the story telling us about his childhood. He is 13 years old and spends summers in Canada with his mother and the rest of his year with his father. By the time I had finished the first few pages, I knew I liked Malcolm. I felt that every second of his life was portrayed vividly and with such compassion that it would be hard for anyone to dislike this young man.Reading the story of his youth, friendships and the rel...more
A Coming of Age Novel with a Mesmerizing Story
Martin Crosbie’s book, My Temporary Life, is a sensitive, coming of age novel with a storyline that held me captive. The novel is filled with emotion—humor, joy, heartache, grief. It deals with the loneliness of children who have lost and the agony of their adjustment. It deals with the lives of adults who have been abused as children.
It is the story of Malcolm, an adolescent who lived in Scotland with his parents until his mother returned to her roo...more
Martin Crosbie’s book, My Temporary Life, is a sensitive, coming of age novel with a storyline that held me captive. The novel is filled with emotion—humor, joy, heartache, grief. It deals with the loneliness of children who have lost and the agony of their adjustment. It deals with the lives of adults who have been abused as children.
It is the story of Malcolm, an adolescent who lived in Scotland with his parents until his mother returned to her roo...more
oh my word this was terrible. i have no idea how it has gotten so many favorable reviews. It is not surprising to me at all that this was turned down by over a 100 different publishers and agents. The fact that it has had over 130,000 downloads just tells me that the price was right....even when it's not on freebie sale - it's only $4. but seriously, even after having gotten it for free, i would like to have my money back for the time i spent reading it. it is almost like two separate books that...more
*Synopsis*
Heroes are not born. They're made.
Malcolm Stewart's strength was forged during harsh childhood days~ugly days when he faced down schoolyard bullies and endured the neglect of a promiscuous mother. It is a strength that he ha
s wielded to defend himself and his friends.
Yet those years and traumas have taken their toll. Somewhere along the way, Malcolm Stewart lost his love of life.
That changes the day when beautiful, tempestuous Heather enters his world. He feels the stirrings of somethi...more
Heroes are not born. They're made.
Malcolm Stewart's strength was forged during harsh childhood days~ugly days when he faced down schoolyard bullies and endured the neglect of a promiscuous mother. It is a strength that he ha
s wielded to defend himself and his friends.
Yet those years and traumas have taken their toll. Somewhere along the way, Malcolm Stewart lost his love of life.
That changes the day when beautiful, tempestuous Heather enters his world. He feels the stirrings of somethi...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
As I moved through the beginning pages of this tale, I thought I was reading a coming of age story, Malcolm's transition from childhood to adulthood. But it was so much more. Malcolm is a young lad born with an old soul; a sweet boy that carries a weight of blame on his shoulders for leaving his father and his best friend behind. Despite this, he grows into a sweet but lost man on the search for something solid; something he can hold onto that will hold him back. At last he finds his Heather and...more
Wow, what an enjoyable read !!! Once I started reading I couldn't put it down anymore and finished it in three days. I got sucked into the story right from the beginning. What I love about the book is its tone and the atmosphere it creates. The book is divided into two parts, the first describing Malcolm's teenage years in Scotland with visits to Canada and the second describing his adult life which is set in Canada. The main character, the adolescent as well as the adult, is an incredibly likea...more
My Temporary Life by Martin Crosbie is a heart-wrenching, touching coming of age story that really affected me. I felt so many different emotions while reading this book. I became very emotional and attached to the main character. I could relate to his struggles even though his struggles were so different than mine.
It is so sad how an upbringing can change one’s life forever. The characters in this book were very realistic and their stories pulled me in.
This book is very well written and was ha...more
It is so sad how an upbringing can change one’s life forever. The characters in this book were very realistic and their stories pulled me in.
This book is very well written and was ha...more
Where to begin? This started as a VERY engaging coming of age story about two little boys growing up in Scotland. Malcolm is shuttled back and forth between his mother, who lives in Canada and his father in Scotland. Secondary characters such as his mother's new boyfriend George and his friends in Canada are wonderful. The descriptions are such that you can hear the music, taste the food and feel the pain, happiness and sorrow these characters experience. Suddenly, the book flashes forward 20 ye...more
I really enjoyed this book and it is well written though the editing is not as good as it could be. It is a book in two halves. The first being Malcolm's teenage years in Scotland with holidays in Canada and the second, part of his adult life which is set in Canada. I enjoyed the first half more than the second and would love to have had more details about this part of his life. I didn't find the second half quite as enjoyable and it seemed a bit rushed but the way the two parts are put together...more
Wow! Absolutely one of the best books I have read in a very long time. I started reading and could not stop. Malcolm is one amazing character. He reached into my heart and touched my soul. What an amazing journey. I have to say that I have not read a book that took me on such an emotional ride in many years. I just finished the book a few minutes ago and I am still reeling. I am typically a romance/fantasy reader but this is definately going on my favorite books list. Martin Crosbie will be on m...more
This story grabbed me from the very first lines, dealing with hard issues like bullying in a non-whining way. It is just what is. The Scotland backdrop seemed to add to that part of the story.
I tried to keep reading as much and as often as possible to complete the story, feeling the bewildering as Malcolm discovers the truth while in Ontario.
The characters with their emotions and dreams were all wonderfully described and brought to life, making use of body language and eye contact. The fact th...more
I tried to keep reading as much and as often as possible to complete the story, feeling the bewildering as Malcolm discovers the truth while in Ontario.
The characters with their emotions and dreams were all wonderfully described and brought to life, making use of body language and eye contact. The fact th...more
This was really not great. The first half, actually, was pretty compelling when the main character was a child, but then the second half got stupid and was totally unrelated to the first half. It was like the author took a writing workshop and produced two separate stories, then went through some exercise to make them into one, peppering a little theme and foreshadowing here and there. In any case, I don't recommend it. Bought it mostly because it was cheap in the Kindle store. Won't make that m...more
I really enjoyed this book. Malcolm is a wonderful blend of bemused wonder and visceral emotion, as a child, a teen, and an adult. He's surrounded by a fantastic cast of secondary characters - his dad, Hardly, and George are particularly luminous. There's tension on every page, and the latter part of the story is particularly tense and suspenseful; I read with muscles clenched at times!
I note that the Kindle version has some textual errors - missing punctuation, some typos and grammatical errors...more
I note that the Kindle version has some textual errors - missing punctuation, some typos and grammatical errors...more
I didn't think this type of story would be my thing but I was hooked by the writing style. I thought the scottish dialogue was woven in masterfully so that it was easy for an unfamiliar person to get the feel for it. I realize this is the first in a series so maybe I'm missing the bigger picture, but as a stand alone book, I felt the adult portion of the book was weaker. I saw how the story line was supposed to be connected, but I could have been happy just reading about his childhood.
I got this book as a kindle freebie. It is one of the better freebies I've ever downloaded. The book was a coming of age story of a teenager from Scotland, who spends summers with his mother in Canada. It was interesting throughout, covering the teen years and the mid thirties. Some of the parts were very somber, covering serious topics such as bullying and sexual abuse. I would highly recommend it to anyone and would look for more from this author. My rating would have been a 3.5 if available.
This felt like two separate books. The story begins when the main characters are teens, but then changes midway to their adult lives. I was really 'into' the book when they were teens, but came real close to losing interest when it switched. I did keep reading and I found myself engrossed again in the second part. I'm not sure what it was about the transition, but I had to keep reminding myself about the characters in the earlier half of the book. I enjoyed both 'halves' of the book, but like I...more
Really enjoyed, very simple story but told well. Probably more like a 3.75. Loved the main character & also George.
Despite the main character's tough childhood he became a really good adult.
We need more Georges in the world. People who have no connection to someone else, yet feel the need to reach out & help others because it the right thing to do. Not only reach out, but become involved. That is what is missing in this world - Georges. We are all to afraid to become involved & ris...more
Despite the main character's tough childhood he became a really good adult.
We need more Georges in the world. People who have no connection to someone else, yet feel the need to reach out & help others because it the right thing to do. Not only reach out, but become involved. That is what is missing in this world - Georges. We are all to afraid to become involved & ris...more
First half (once I got into it) was good - about 3.5 stars. Loved the bits about Malcolm and hardly
The second half just jumped around and was a little inconceivable at times. Didn't expect one of the twists but the rest was so predictable.
Think it was a freebie - read because I hate giving up on things but really, it was ok, just ok.
Not horrendously bad (bar a few minor editing points) but not quite good enough to give up an afternoon.
The second half just jumped around and was a little inconceivable at times. Didn't expect one of the twists but the rest was so predictable.
Think it was a freebie - read because I hate giving up on things but really, it was ok, just ok.
Not horrendously bad (bar a few minor editing points) but not quite good enough to give up an afternoon.
When I started this book I thought that it was going to be a beach read. You know, a touching, coming of age story about a young man who overcomes a hard life and eventually has a happily ever after. Boy what a shock I got. The mid story twist made my eyes bulge and I could not put it down. I enjoyed this story until the end and I will be looking forward to more from this author.
2.5 stars. Good story with potential. Really liked the characters. But…the story felt like it was 2 different books ripped in half and then put together. It started off great with Malcolm's childhood…nice story development. Then he's suddenly an adult and everything moves too quickly. The author seemed to be in a hurry to finish the story…it felt very rushed.
I am kinda left on the fence about this one- it was heartbreaking yet triumphant at the same time, a bit brutal (but not as bad as it could have been) and just... unsettling. The point of the story was great. As far as writing, the story dragged a bit in some places, and then flew by too fast in others. Overall, I'm glad I read it, but wouldn't read it again.
I enjoyed this story, but its almost 2 different stories in one. The first half of the book takes place while Malcolm is a young teen and his struggles with: school, friends, living w/ divorced parents, etc The second half of the book takes place when Malcolm is an adult. The book kept me interested and was an easy read. This was a free book on Kindle when I downloaded it, but not any longer. This is one of those rare books that I'm able to loan through Kindle, if any friends would like to try t...more
I truly enjoyed this story written in the first person of a 12 Yr boy in Scotland but then the boy "comes of age" & leaves Scotland for Vancouver BC where He reaches adulthood & meets a young lady. The genre seems (to me) to morph into "Romance-ChickLit" with the attendant twists & turns & love conguers all lines. An OK yarn if willing to suspend disbelief!
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cullman Times Article-an ebook phenomenon | 1 | 7 | Aug 09, 2012 01:09pm | |
| Ladies & Lite...: Interview with Author Martin Crosbie | 4 | 8 | Jul 09, 2012 08:16am | |
| I Love Canadian A...: "How to become an e-book sensation. Seriously." | 8 | 19 | May 04, 2012 11:23am |
Apr 19, 2013 05:29am