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The Road to Grafenwöhr
PFC Quincy Summerson begins his military adventure in 1968 in Bavaria realizing that his presence stirs the paradigm - the thin line between twilight and night. His hyperactive imagination gets the better of him, and soon the world enlists him for a predestined purpose - to travel on the road to Grafenwoehr, where the woods is alive with myth and folk lore.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2011
About the author
Edward C. Patterson
60 books36 followersEdward C. Patterson has been writing novels, short fiction, poetry and drama his entire life, always seeking the emotional core of any story he tells. With his eighth novel, The Jade Owl, he combines an imaginative touch with his life long devotion to China and its history. He has earned an MA in Chinese History from Brooklyn College with further post graduate work at Columbia University. A native of Brooklyn, NY, he has spent four decades as a soldier in the corporate world gaining insight into the human condition. He won the 1999 New Jersey Minority Achievement Award for his work in corporate diversity. Blending world travel experiences with a passion for story telling, his adventures continue as he works to permeate his reader's souls from an indelible wellspring.
Published Novels by Edward C. Patterson include No Irish Need Apply, Bobby's Trace, Cutting the Cheese, Surviving an American Gulag and Turning Idolater. Poetry includes The Closet Clandestine: a queer steps out and Come, Wewoka - and - Diary of Medicine Flower.
From my mind to your imagination . . .
Published Novels by Edward C. Patterson include No Irish Need Apply, Bobby's Trace, Cutting the Cheese, Surviving an American Gulag and Turning Idolater. Poetry includes The Closet Clandestine: a queer steps out and Come, Wewoka - and - Diary of Medicine Flower.
From my mind to your imagination . . .
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 29, 2013
Overall Feedback:
The book flowed in a steady rhythm. There is a lot going on in this book. Hard to put this book down. I loved the Story.
Point of View:
PFC Quincy Summerson
Voice:
Narrative
Character Development:
Characters are well developed and flushed out.
Plot:
Edward C. Patterson does a great job of creating a story around duty and destiny
Dialogue:
Dialogue is done well and helps move the story along nicely.
Pacing:
Story moves along fluidly.
Setting:
A journey of destiny
Continuity:
This was a great story. Lots happening and fast moving.
The book flowed in a steady rhythm. There is a lot going on in this book. Hard to put this book down. I loved the Story.
Point of View:
PFC Quincy Summerson
Voice:
Narrative
Character Development:
Characters are well developed and flushed out.
Plot:
Edward C. Patterson does a great job of creating a story around duty and destiny
Dialogue:
Dialogue is done well and helps move the story along nicely.
Pacing:
Story moves along fluidly.
Setting:
A journey of destiny
Continuity:
This was a great story. Lots happening and fast moving.
October 4, 2019
During the cold war, Quincy Summerson is sent to the German/Czech border. Quincy is a great character and has some strange things about himself that the locals are mystified by. From a fact based military novel to a mystical adventure, the author gives readers a well written journey they will carry in their minds long after the last page has been closed.
December 20, 2021
The Gabelbein Completes His Mission
An imaginative story that weaves German culture, folk tales, ghosts, and the supernatural with U.S. Army soldiers serving in Germany during the Cold War. The author keeps the reader engaged right to the satisfying ending. Highly recommended.
An imaginative story that weaves German culture, folk tales, ghosts, and the supernatural with U.S. Army soldiers serving in Germany during the Cold War. The author keeps the reader engaged right to the satisfying ending. Highly recommended.
August 13, 2013
I am constantly impressed by Edward C. Patterson's novels, and The Road to Grafenwöhr is no exception. It's the story of PFC Quincy Summerson, a Vietnam era draftee, who is sent to the kaserne at Grafenwohr as a radioman but is taken into the headquarters as a clerk instead.
There, he not only makes new friends, such as his bunkmates Striker, Ratzenberger, Pedillo and Mathias, but also some enemies: two motor-pool baddies named Verdigris and Stabbler. Summerson endures the usual round of hazing for being a smart guy with a gift for languages ... and his odd birthmark.
In fact, the locals seem to remark on it a lot ... and some of them are scared of it. The three knitting ladies, and their companion Luddy, whom he meets on the train into Grafenwohr are only the first.
And then, Summerson starts seeing ghosts.
This novel is a clever mixture of historical fiction, based on some of Patterson's experiences in the military, and paranormal. The characters are well-drawn, multi-dimensional people, not just cardboard caricatures. The situations, even the ones with paranormal overtones, are interesting. Patterson's prose invokes some vivid imagery, particularly when he talks about Summerson's visit to the grounds of a former concentration camp. I actually had goosebumps.
Unfortunately, the book was removed from Smashwords. I always like to review a book where I purchase it, but it was not possible this time. Highly recommended.
There, he not only makes new friends, such as his bunkmates Striker, Ratzenberger, Pedillo and Mathias, but also some enemies: two motor-pool baddies named Verdigris and Stabbler. Summerson endures the usual round of hazing for being a smart guy with a gift for languages ... and his odd birthmark.
In fact, the locals seem to remark on it a lot ... and some of them are scared of it. The three knitting ladies, and their companion Luddy, whom he meets on the train into Grafenwohr are only the first.
And then, Summerson starts seeing ghosts.
This novel is a clever mixture of historical fiction, based on some of Patterson's experiences in the military, and paranormal. The characters are well-drawn, multi-dimensional people, not just cardboard caricatures. The situations, even the ones with paranormal overtones, are interesting. Patterson's prose invokes some vivid imagery, particularly when he talks about Summerson's visit to the grounds of a former concentration camp. I actually had goosebumps.
Unfortunately, the book was removed from Smashwords. I always like to review a book where I purchase it, but it was not possible this time. Highly recommended.
May 7, 2011
The Road to Grafenwohr – One of my favorite Patterson Novels
Rating: 5 of 5 stars, TMBOA Recommended!
Author: Edward C. Patterson
Format: Kindle, Paperback
Traveling to his unit in post war Germany, Quincy Summerson finds the locals, their heritage, language, architecture, and culture fascinating. They too, find him of great interest given the unique birthmark displayed prominently on his cheek which legend portends it to be a harbinger for both great evil and good. Quincy’s journey takes him further and further into heart of Bavaria as visions begin to plague him. As they increase in frequency and violence Quincy learns he has been called not just to serve the United States but an even higher purpose.
Readers may be initially turned off by the title of Patterson’s latest work. But I must say, this was one of my favorites from him. Patterson takes his expert prose and characterization skills and infuses them into an intriguing setting of a young man stationed in Germany during the height of the cold war with an eclectic group of roommates where everyone prays to avoid reassignment to Vietnam—except for one man. Sprinkle in some fantasy elements and Patterson has created a genre I’ve not previously experienced but very much enjoyed.
The plot is very tight and the storyline moves. If you already are a Patterson fan, I think you will definitely enjoy The Road to Grafenwohr. If you’ve never read him and you are looking for something different, give this one a try – you won’t be disappointed.
Rating: 5 of 5 stars, TMBOA Recommended!
Author: Edward C. Patterson
Format: Kindle, Paperback
Traveling to his unit in post war Germany, Quincy Summerson finds the locals, their heritage, language, architecture, and culture fascinating. They too, find him of great interest given the unique birthmark displayed prominently on his cheek which legend portends it to be a harbinger for both great evil and good. Quincy’s journey takes him further and further into heart of Bavaria as visions begin to plague him. As they increase in frequency and violence Quincy learns he has been called not just to serve the United States but an even higher purpose.
Readers may be initially turned off by the title of Patterson’s latest work. But I must say, this was one of my favorites from him. Patterson takes his expert prose and characterization skills and infuses them into an intriguing setting of a young man stationed in Germany during the height of the cold war with an eclectic group of roommates where everyone prays to avoid reassignment to Vietnam—except for one man. Sprinkle in some fantasy elements and Patterson has created a genre I’ve not previously experienced but very much enjoyed.
The plot is very tight and the storyline moves. If you already are a Patterson fan, I think you will definitely enjoy The Road to Grafenwohr. If you’ve never read him and you are looking for something different, give this one a try – you won’t be disappointed.
August 21, 2011
This is the first novel I've read by Edward Patterson. I spent a couple years in Germany, and "The Road to Grafenwohr" captures that experience masterfully. A lot of the universal elements that make up the life of a soldier in Germany are described perfectly in this story. I love the way the German landscape is painted, and many, little bits of German culture are described precisely. The added specter of Vietnam during the era of this book gave it another layer. It is a very interesting story that I enjoyed immensely.
Edward Patterson is truly a master wordsmith. He weaves together a quite authentic, realistic plotline of a young soldier finding his way in Germany with elements of fantasy in such a way that the entire story is captivating. I couldn't wait to get to the next page. His characters are authentic and well developed. I truly cared about what was happening with each of them, and he has done a wonderful job of capturing the bond soldier's share. I really liked the way the characters matured with the plot. The ending is terrific. This is a very good book. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Patterson's work.
Edward Patterson is truly a master wordsmith. He weaves together a quite authentic, realistic plotline of a young soldier finding his way in Germany with elements of fantasy in such a way that the entire story is captivating. I couldn't wait to get to the next page. His characters are authentic and well developed. I truly cared about what was happening with each of them, and he has done a wonderful job of capturing the bond soldier's share. I really liked the way the characters matured with the plot. The ending is terrific. This is a very good book. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Patterson's work.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews