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38th out of 114 books
—
69 voters
Bad Ground
Poignant and thought provoking, this is a down-to-earth, sometimes humorous novel lled with suspense, action, redemption, and even romance. Seventeen-year-old Jeremy Prine decides to honor his mother's dying wish and seek out his estranged uncle who was badly burned in the accident that killed Jeremy's father. He nds the man working as a hard-rock miner in the south, an ex...more
Paperback, 382 pages
Published
July 1st 2004
by Bethany House Publishers
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I read this book on recommendation from a friend, and discovered later it belongs to a genre called "Christian fiction" - stories not afraid to discuss religious questions as a part of the plot. The characters deal with moral issues, challenges to faith, sharing their beliefs with others, etc. - and eventually, conversion to Christ that brings hope to a life of despair. I hope this is perhaps more "real life" than most contemporary fiction, which basically ignores religious life. In this case, t...more
I didn't think a book about blasting holes in the earth would appeal to me, but Cramer's eloquent and haunting prose drew me in. As I read, I remembered the feeling I got when I first read Christy by Katherine Marshall, that although both wrote about people I don't normally encounter (miners, folks from Appalacia), their taut characterizations made me want to befriend the characters, giving me a desire to spend my life peeling away the layers of all types of folks, elevating the dignity of every...more
What I will remember about this book long after I have forgotten the name of Jeremy's girlfriend or the answer to the question of how his father died is the author's heart for men--men who use rough language and enjoy going out for a beer after work, men who rarely darken the door of a church and lack some of the social niceties I am accustomed to. Cramer portrays them with humor and affection in all their orneriness and neediness. Never preachy, Cramer is a master of deep characterization and s...more
Plot Summary: What happens, When & Where, Central Characters, Major Conflicts[return]When Jeremy's mother dies, leaving him an orphan, he is given a letter--her last words to him. She tells him that when the time is right he should go find his uncle Aiden. "You have something I couldn't give him, and he has something I couldn't give you". So a few months later we follow Jeremy as he hitchhikes to Atlanta and arrives at the mining company where his uncle works with nothing but the clothes on...more
I didn't realise until I was a fair way into this book that it was 'Christian Fiction'. I don't think I'd have read it, if I'd known that. It's just not a genre that appeals to me.
But, if I had ignored it, I would have missed out. Sure, there was a fair amount of church and bible in it, but I didn't feel as though I was being hit over the head with either of them. Aidan and Jeremy Prine are sympathetically-drawn characters and Cramer's writing is excellent: realistic dialogue and fascinating det...more
But, if I had ignored it, I would have missed out. Sure, there was a fair amount of church and bible in it, but I didn't feel as though I was being hit over the head with either of them. Aidan and Jeremy Prine are sympathetically-drawn characters and Cramer's writing is excellent: realistic dialogue and fascinating det...more
Excellent character, plot, and setting development. Cramer captures the South in the details. As far as Christian fiction in general goes, his work is the best I've read yet: it is powerful, inspirational, and, most importantly, real. It's refreshing to hear poetic yet strikingly applicable spirituality from a layman's perspective regarding layman issues. I highly recommend this book and Cramer's Summer of Light.
First sentence is eye opening..."A boy afraid of the dark and a man afraid of the light". Then "You have something I couldn't give him, and he has something I couldn't give you".
I've read only one other Cramer book. I am quickly pushing him up to the top of my list of favorite authors. More to come...
Cramer has a rare talent to draw you in to his characters to the point where you almost know them.
If your a mother, the reflections of the boy about his mom will move you. If you've ever felt like...more
I've read only one other Cramer book. I am quickly pushing him up to the top of my list of favorite authors. More to come...
Cramer has a rare talent to draw you in to his characters to the point where you almost know them.
If your a mother, the reflections of the boy about his mom will move you. If you've ever felt like...more
Really enjoyed the plot. Jumped around a bit at the end and left some breaks that needed a little more detail to completely fill out the story.
I really liked this book, although it was pretty technical as far as the mining equipment was concerned. That was important to the story, but for us girls :) a little less technicality might have worked better. But it was still a great story.
When I first began to read this book I didn't know if I would finish it. In fact, I started to read it last year and put it back on the shelf. I really enjoy W. Dale Cramer as an author but I just couldn't get into this book at first. I am so glad I finished reading it. Everything came together and by the end, yep, I was in tears. (small disclaimer note: While I do enjoy W. Dale Cramer as an author, he always has one or two parts in each of his books that REALLY don't need to be in there. His bo...more
A work of Christian fiction, I bailed out of its overwrought setup after about 50 pages.
I thought this book was amazing, especially the "swing shift miners prayer".
No other words are really necessary except that I LOVED THIS BOOK. I read it on audio and I have to say that I enjoyed the reader and the author. The story line was well strung together - I don't remember a time when this one had any drag time. This is the story of an orphaned boy in search of his uncle and along the way he and his uncle both find out how to be men. It's a bit of what I would call a "guy" book but the fact that it held my attention and I actually wanted to finish it says somethi...more
Not as good as the other book I read by this author, Levi's Will (which made me think and cry and fall in love with characters), because it had a slow start. But once I got into it, I was fully engaged in this great story.
I wasn't crazy about this book, although there were good parts to it. I thought it was more of a "guy" book. I have read other books by this author that I liked much better.
I love, love, love this book. I cried. This book is mostly about male characters, but it was so interesting. I really like this author. He does a great job.
I couldn't get into this book
Jun 04, 2008
Elizabeth
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Christian fiction fans, family novel fans
After his mother dies, 17-year-old Jeremy must find his Uncle Aiden, who has been estranged from the family for years. Checked this one out after reading the favorable review on Discerning Reader. It is very good- eminently readable, thoughtful little book, with some good symbolism. Has a good message without getting too preachy. I was kind of sad to be done with it, which should tell you something.
This book was easy to relate to - and easy to enjoy.
It develops the two main characters into a beautiful relationship between an uncle and his nephew. They both need each other, and they both change.
My only issue was that it was a little too concentrated. Cramer could have developed other characters a bit better, or furhtered a few subplots more.
Overall - a good, enjoyable read that's worth a one-time read.
It develops the two main characters into a beautiful relationship between an uncle and his nephew. They both need each other, and they both change.
My only issue was that it was a little too concentrated. Cramer could have developed other characters a bit better, or furhtered a few subplots more.
Overall - a good, enjoyable read that's worth a one-time read.
Good story. Its about a young boy who lost both his parents and his Uncle who is dealing with his own issues. After living and working together they both find what they need.
I picked this up at the library as something to pass the time til a book I'd ordered came in. I started to read it this morning and it turns out it's a Christian novel. Not interested, so I'm not gonna read it. Besides, it's kind of shitty writing.
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I really enjoy this author. This was probably not my favorite of his books, but it was still really good.
I loved this book. It was original, written by a man to be enjoyed by both men and women. Very well done and I learned a few things along the way.
I am finding I am liking Cramer more and more with each book. Highly recommend...a clean read for anyone.
The first non-trite piece of Christian fiction I've read in a very long time. Not too bad.
I loved this book! Oh my goodness it was SOOOOO funny when he went hunting!!!!
I've read three other books by this author, and they were all excellent.
This was my least favorit of Cramer's books, but still a good read.
I liked this book, and am planning on reading more from this author.
miners, Uncle and nephew heal each other
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