Randy Foster's Blog

Pick up a free copy of my short story - Of Men and Vermin - JULY 27, 2021

New edition of my short story "Of Men and Vermin" complete with new cover featuring the amazing art of Phil Heartburg!


Of Men and Vermin: A Short Story

Review of The Nickel Boys

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


One that will be read in history classes long into the future. Let us learn from our past so that we do not repeat it.

The Nickel Boys is a fictional story about a juvenile reform school for boys named The Nickel Academy, but it is inspired by the true story of the Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, Florida. If you are not familiar with this infamous reform school in Florida it is well worth the time it takes to google it. Dozier was closed down in 2011 amidst a slew of allegations from former students at the school. Florida investigated and "could not find sufficient evidence" to substantiate the allegations of horrific abuse. However, although there were 50 documented boys' deaths at the school, there were only 35 marked graves. One must wonder what became of the fifteen plus deceased boys and why their graves were never marked. The stories told by survivors of Dozier are truly the things of nightmares and this is what Colson Whitehead bases his story on.

The Nickel Academy accepts white and black boys, but the boys are for the most part segregated and clearly treated differently. The food, clothes, and accommodations of all the boys are prison-like, but those of the black boys are barely better than animals. Torture and beatings are doled out to both blacks and whites but again, the black boys get far worse than the white boys. Corruption runs rampant in the school as our protagonist, Elwood, discovers. Food, clothing and other supplies paid for by the state and intended for the black boys, instead is sold off to businesses in the surrounding community and the black kids are left with oatmeal to eat and rags to wear.

So its a bad place to be, especially if you have dark skin.

Although this is fiction, as best I can tell Colson sticks very close to the actual allegations made by former students of the Dozier school. In reading this book your eyes will be opened. I am from Mississippi and I am fifty years old so I have seen the ugly hand of racism at work, and yet The Nickel Boys made fresh those feelings of anger and sadness that I have always felt when forced to see the ignorance and hatred that drives racism. Whitehead's story makes it clear that for these black boys those feelings were not escapable. They couldn't choose to just think about something else. To them, racism was not something that they felt bad about every now and then when they watched a documentary or read a textbook about it. No, these poor souls lived it every second of every day.

Although the subject matter of the story is horrific, this is not a horror story. That is, its not a slasher movie or a gory chainsaw massacre type thing. Colson takes us back to the 1960's Jim Crow south, describing daily life and how blacks went about their daily lives either accepting demeaning practices, or seething with internal silent anger, or speaking up and paying the price. Those sickening feelings about how blacks were treated steadily increases as this story goes along, eventually reaching the climax of the story which, I admit, I did not see coming.

This is an important work, and one I believe everyone should read. However, I hesitate to give it a 5-star rating simply because it was so unsettling. Although it is not what I would call a gory book, there are some scenes that will stay with you after you close the book, and your eyes. Perhaps those scenes need to stay with us. Regardless, there is no denying the skills of Colson Whitehead. This is one that will be read in history classes long into the future. Let us learn from our past so that we do not repeat it.

4 out of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Hard Sci-Fi Expertly Written, 5 Stars for All Us Science Geeks

I have had the good fortune to read several superb books in a row this year and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is the latest, and possibly the greatest, of that line. For now, I have it at the top of my list for best book of 2021. Let me tell you why.

Project Hail Mary is hard sci-fi, which means it is not fantasy but is instead based in science fact. Yes, the story does have a fictional threat to the Earth, and other fictional things that Ryland Grace encounters on his "desperate last-chance mission" to save the Earth, but Weir goes to great lengths to explain all of fictional aspects -- how they exist and what they can do. It's not a "here's-Jabba-the-Hutt-just-go-with-it" type thing. Everything is explained as if he is a high school teacher trying to explain it to his class. Indeed, our protagonist Grace is a high school teacher and the story is told in first person, so it makes sense that it would roll out this way. This is the best hard sci-fi I have read since Ben Bova's Mars. It's really, really good.

This is a fairly long novel with 624 pages, but there is absolutely no filler in there -- just a lot of stuff that happens, and Weir explains the logic and the science behind each event. This is a book that makes you feel smarter as you read it. You might have a moment in which you say "OH! So that is what Einstein meant!" Yes, its that deep and explained that brilliantly. I liked it so much that I sent a message to my high school Physics/Chemistry teacher (from the '80s) and told him this book was meant for him!

But I should also say, Project Hail Mary is not a dry textbook. Weir brings his characters to life and I cared for each one -- worrying about them and hoping that things were going to turn out okay them.

If you are not a science person and could care less about how the Universe is put together, this is still a 4-star read, but if you are a science geek and like to learn as you lose yourself in a good story, this is a 5-star read.

5 out of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review of Ékleipsis

Ékleipsis by Tamel Wino

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Pray that you never meet any of these characters when they are having a bad day!

I’m not really sure how I stumbled upon this great little collection of dark stories, but I am glad that I did. Stephen King has called short stories “little kisses in the dark” and if that is so, then this is a pretty good make out session.

Wino (great name btw) writes insightful, engaging prose that pulls the reader into the minds and souls of his characters. What really makes these stories interesting is that these protagonists are not nice people. Or, maybe they once were nice, but life has just beat them down and now they have … changed — crossing over a line marking the point of no return. Just pray you don’t meet any of these characters when they are having a bad day.

This is a fairly quick read, under 200 pages, consisting of five different stories. I would categorize this as true psychological horror because the terror I felt was more in anticipation of what was coming, rather than from the shock of blood and gore. There are a few gory scenes but definitely not so much that it overpowers the subtle uneasiness that builds slowly to a shocking climax in each story.

Pleasantly surprised! Will look for more from Wino!

4 out of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Review of: The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Too Good for its Own Good

I was hesitant to write this review because I didn't see how I could without having some spoilers, and you know how I feel about spoilers, but then I saw the description of the book and they tell you a lot of what happens … up to a point. So, I don't consider any of the following as spoilers since all this is in the book's description from the publisher.

In The Plot we have the story of a struggling writer who ends up teaching a creative writing class to help with the bills and to get a little of that ego boost that comes from being a "published author." One of his students (an unlikeable character) shares a plot for a story he is working on and our struggling author recognizes it immediately for what it is -- a sure fire blockbuster hit! Years pass and our author discovers that the student has passed away without ever publishing a book. After some internal debate, he decides the plot was just too good to let disappear, so he writes his own novel with the deceased student's plot. As expected, it is a resounding success and at the height of its popularity he begins to get threatening emails accusing him of stealing the story.

So ALL of that is in the book's description; therefore, I will not consider any of this as spoilers.

The story moves along at lightning pace, with engaging characters, and of course an engaging plot. Jean Hanff Korelitz is a gifted writer and I will definitely look forward to her next work. So why not 5-stars if I loved it so much? Well, she built up this mysterious "can't miss" plot as just astounding, yet we don't get to know what the super plot is until late in the book. By that time my brain had just really worked it all up into a huge frenzy of anticipation, imagining all sorts of incredible stuff that this super plot might contain. Once the plot is finally revealed, the reality is pretty amazing but there was really no way for it to live up to the unrealistic expectations I had built up in my imagination. So, in this way, The Plot is a victim of its own success; too good for its own good.

The Plot is undeniably a great book, and I recommend it to anyone. It really would be five stars had it not been for the inescapable let down I felt when the actual plot -- the center of the story -- was revealed. I really don't see how this could have been avoided though, so it is definitely no fault of Jean Hanff Korelitz. You will enjoy this book immensely, but if you have a vivid imagination, your "what if" may outshine the "what is."

4 out of 5 stars



View all my reviews

review of The Ivies

The Ivies by Alexa Donne

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Ivies won't let you down ... just don't turn your back on those bitches!

I loved this book.

It moved like lightening, was crafted masterfully, and perhaps more timely than Ms. Donne may have anticipated when she began writing it. I realize that she writes YA, and that she has also referred to this book as YA, but I can tell you that as a 50-year-old man with two children who recently went through the college admissions process (with a few Ivy applications), I found the the book captivating! Also, the details about the application process in the book made it clear that Ms. Doone had done her homework (dad joke! ba-dum-bump!).

I picked this book up mainly for two reasons:

1. I listen to Ms. Donne's YouTube Videos on writing and I wanted to see if someone who sounded so knowledgeable about writing could practice what she preached. I had never read any of her books before because they were just too far out of my wheelhouse. But, I now know for sure that she does indeed know how to put a great book together! She is not all talk.

2. The subject of admissions to Ivy League schools, as I mentioned above, was a subject close to my real life. I was so excited about the title that I told my wife about it and she began reading it also, at the same time as I did.

Don't let my 5-star rating fool you. I don't give out fives easily, and I will now attempt to find something to criticize about The Ivies.

Hmmmmm ... well, it was about high school-aged girls, and a little sexual stuff (not bad tho, and not in excess and not unnecessary) which felt a little weird for a man my age, but that's not the book's fault. In the end, I can say that I wouldn't have been embarrassed carrying it around (my copy was on kindle).

I did have to pay attention, because it moved so fast, but Donne worked into the story scenes in which the characters themselves reviewed their own notes on their sleuthing. This seemed both realistic, and also served as kind of a cheat sheet for me to make sure I was catching everything.

Sometimes I felt like the characters' emotions went from zero to one hundred and then back to zero a little too quickly. In one breath they wanted to kill you, and then a few paragraphs later they were your best friend again. But, in retrospect, I suppose maybe teenagers are a lot like that.

That's about all the negative I can think of, and I promise you I tired. As far as the positives, as I said before, the book moves so quickly, the writing is excellent -- nothing to trip over, or have to go back and re-read -- and the plot itself moved the story along quickly too. I was never bored in The Ivies and honestly, so far I have it tied for the best book I have read in 2021, just edging out My Dark Vanessa and Mexican Gothic, and tied with My Heart Is A Chainsaw.

I don't know if The Ivies has hit the bestsellers lists yet, but if not, I know it will soon. Like really. There's no doubt in my mind that it will. Also, as many have already said, this would a great movie, and perhaps an even better TV series. If you need a beach trip book that holds your attention while it entertains you and keeps you guessing, The Ivies won't let you down ... just don't turn your back on those bitches!

Thank you, Ms. Donne!

5 out of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon for all you audiobook lovers!

Review of Flint by Louis L'Amour

Flint by Louis L'Amour

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


There's a reason you know the name Louis L'Amour; a true master of his craft!

This was my very first Louis L'Amour novel to read (although I have collected the leather-bound editions for a while now), and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The action was fast, gritty, and raw -- exactly the way I had hoped it would be. L'Amour's writing seemed to be the essentials; that is, it felt like every word in the book had a purpose. There was no fluff in Flint.

Flint is the story of a man who is preparing to die. He has an incurable disease and has chosen where and how he will pass away, he just doesn't know when yet. It should have been a peaceful ending for him, away from the other troubles he was leaving behind, but life has other plans for our protagonist. Blood, sweat and tears will flow and bullets will fly!

There were no super unexpected twists (although there were a few surprises), but there were definitely thrills and suspense. The characters were complex and multidimensional. I now see what all the hubbub is about. There is a reason you have heard of Louis L'Amour; he was very, very good at his craft and he has left behind an enduring legacy that defines what a Western should be.

There aren't many reasons to dislike this book. I scratched my head, and this was all I could come up with:

1. You just don't like westerns. The story here is great, well-paced, well-researched and filled with interesting characters, but it is a western. Dirty, dusty, violent. If you don't like westerns you won't like Flint.

2. You read L'Amour all the time and perhaps it is not too different from his other novels. I cannot speak to this since this was the first time one, but frankly I could read Flint again right now and I think I would still enjoy it.

3. Nancy Kerrigan. This one was not L'Amour's fault as the book was written before the whole Nancy Kerrigan/Tony Harding figure skating, knee whacking incident and following bruhaha. Unfortunately, the name "Nancy Kerrigan" is burned into my brain forever associated with the 90's fiasco and every time I saw the name in Flint it was difficult for me not to picture tears and ice skates. Even so, I loved this book.

I will read more L'Amour; I am sure of it. Perhaps over time I will begin to take L'Amour's writing for granted as I become more accustomed to it (although I don't think so), but for now, this is a 5-star read for me.

5 out of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Thoughts on Westerns?

Lately I have been populating my "nicer" book collection. These are leather bound volumes that I keep on a separate shelf in the extra bedroom. My usual technique for acquiring books for this shelf is to peruse ebay and scoop up bargains when I see them. I recently snagged three Louis L'Amour leather bound westerns from the Bantam Louis L'Amor collection from the early 80's. Well technically I guess they are leatherette, but still! I got three of these L'Amor westerns for under ten dollars total which included shipping, so I was happy. The thing is, I have never read a western before in my life (and I am pretty old). I had, of course, heard of Louis L'Amor before, so I know there are many people out there who love his books. I had not planned on reading any westerns anytime soon, but the more I looked at them sitting on the bookshelf, the more I became curious. Curiosity turned into a craving and so, last night, I dived into one! I chose Flint, purely at random (out of the three I own). I am a few chapters in this morning and so far I can say I am diggin' it. This will sound chauvinistic probably, but it feels like a man-book. It appeals to me in much the same way as Hemingway's works did. It's gritty and everything seems pretty much life or death so far. I will keep you updated on my progress, but if you are reading this, let me know if have read westerns before and if so, how did you like them? Giddy up!

Review of The Valley by Rick Jones

The Valley by Rick Jones

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


You don't have to have a mullet to enjoy this book, but it helps.

Before you read this review, do this: Imagine a world in which Jurassic Park never existed. The book was never written, the movie was never made. Now Imagine that The Hunger Games was never written, never made into a movie. If those things had never happened, this book might be one of the most amazing novels you've ever read … well except for a few other issues. So let's get to it.

I had never read Rick Jones before, but after a google session I learned that he has previously written several action adventure series with the best known probably being The Vatican Knights. So it makes sense that he can weave such an entertaining, fast-paced tale. I don't know the guy personally, but his author photo is reminiscent of MacGyver and he just looks like someone who would write this totally awesome book. You don't have to have a mullet to read this book, but it helps.

The Valley is a combination of Jurassic Park and The Hunger Games. There is a 40-square-mile piece of land, called the valley, in which have been placed all manor of dinosaurs, both carnivores and herbivores. The carnivores are for real, and they don't mess around when it comes to eating people. Prisoners are selected and given the option of serving out their remaining sentences (in some cases death) or attempting to make it from one side of the valley to the other where the gates of freedom await (literally called The Gates of Freedom in the book). The world watches on television as The Valley is broadcast globally and all the technicolor deaths and gore have, of course, skyrocketed the reality show to the top of the ratings.

I know what you are thinking -- it's a rip off! Well, maybe, but it is a really good rip off. The action moves very fast, but logically. Jones developed his characters adequately, but in other aspects the book seemed a little rushed. First, the book is short, only 165 pages. Had it not been so interesting this might not have mattered, but it just felt like Jones left a lot of meat on the bone, so to speak. The action was so much fun, and I just know there could have been a lot more of it. But, it ended too soon in my opinion. Also, I caught a few grammatical errors and one error in the actual plotline that, though small in the grand scheme, was obviously impossible. I would describe it here but as I say it was just a small detail that Jones could have easily fixed (by deleting the sentence altogether) and I don't like having to post spoiler warnings. So, you will either see it and it will bug you too, or you won't and you will stay happy. I hope you fall into the latter category.

Had it not been for the length, the errors mentioned above, and the fact that it is so much like Jurassic Park and The Hunger Games, I really think this book could have been 5-stars. It was that enjoyable. I went in thinking I would be lucky if it was a 3-star read, but was pleasantly surprised and entertained and it was clear it would be higher than 3 early on in the story. I just feel like it had the potential to be so much better, and I couldn't help thinking Jones may have rushed it a little.

Even with these reservations, I am giving this one 4 stars. It is just THAT good outside of the problems above. Makes me a little sad writing that because this book could have been so much more. Still, I can recommend it to fans of adventure, sci fi, and dinosaurs!

4 out of 5 stars




View all my reviews