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Eating Bitter
A brand new Randall Lee Novella! "Here's the thing, this isn’t going to be some How-Randall-Got-His-Groove-Back midlife crisis tale, and it doesn’t involve fearless kung fu warriors engaged in exotic hand-to-hand combat; it isn’t a swooning ballad to the love of my life, though I truly hope she features in it. This time there are no suave, wise-cracking good guys, no humorless, drug-addled bad guys. The story I want to tell you is all about how I learned to sleep at night, to close my eyes without seeing cold places and dead eyes… how I dragged whatever was left of me up out of the dark, finally. That’s the story I want to tell, because that’s the story I need to hear. I want to know how it ends..." Returning to normal life after his dark days in the depths of the Jianghu hasn't been easy for Randall Lee. With big changes coming in his future, though, Randall offers to help rehabilitate an injured friend, only to find that the need for healing goes far deeper than he ever expected. Bridging the events of Jianghu and the upcoming Randall Lee Mystery, The Art of War, Eating Bitter is a quiet story of resilience and perseverance, punctuated with Randall's trademark humor and self-deprecation.
- GenresFiction
72 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 2, 2018
Fairly good novella about how Randall Lee and the gang get back to some version of normalcy. Most every character went through some tough times in the last couple of novels, and are now suffering the consequences.
No fights, or derring-do.
Still makes me want to read what happens next, and that's the important thing.
No fights, or derring-do.
Still makes me want to read what happens next, and that's the important thing.
November 5, 2015
As always, a wonderful read by Charles Colyott. This one was a bit of a departure from the previous novels, but it was an essential chapter in the Randall Lee story... because life isn't all about action and physical martial arts. The truth in the meaning of "eating bitter" was a profound and cathartic metaphor to explore.
April 10, 2016
Great little Randall Lee Novella
This was a refreshing read, as many of the main characters get a respite from all the horrors that normally befall them in the main novels. This was like a recuperative and revitalizing spa treatment for the characters. I'm sure they'll be thankful they got it, as the next novel will undoubtedly put them through the meat grinder, once again.
This was a refreshing read, as many of the main characters get a respite from all the horrors that normally befall them in the main novels. This was like a recuperative and revitalizing spa treatment for the characters. I'm sure they'll be thankful they got it, as the next novel will undoubtedly put them through the meat grinder, once again.
March 17, 2015
Another great addition to the series
When I saw that Charles had released another book in the Randall Lee series, I grabbed it immediately. Even though it's only a novella, it does not disappoint. Can't wait for the next installment in this series.
When I saw that Charles had released another book in the Randall Lee series, I grabbed it immediately. Even though it's only a novella, it does not disappoint. Can't wait for the next installment in this series.
February 20, 2015
A tightly written novella with that familiar, witty, self-deprecating "Randall Lee" vibe. If you've read the first three novels, you definitely need to pick up this book.
April 26, 2018
Murder & Comic relief
Randall Lee is so human with all our flaws and self judgment.
I'm looking forward to the wedding, but the man in black has me worried.
Randall Lee is so human with all our flaws and self judgment.
I'm looking forward to the wedding, but the man in black has me worried.
October 29, 2018
As Always a great read
Always enjoy Colyott's Randall Lee Mysteries, every one has been a great ride. Always interesting and funny, always looking forward to his next book.
Always enjoy Colyott's Randall Lee Mysteries, every one has been a great ride. Always interesting and funny, always looking forward to his next book.
July 23, 2016
Review coming soon.
July 12, 2018
I really enjoy the Randall Lee series. I don't know of too many novels where the MC is a Hong Kong born white dude whose native languages are Chinese. He is also a Tai Chi master and an acupuncturist and a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine.
Randall is also one screwed up MC with a horrible backstory who has done some terrible things. This novella does a good job of reminding readers what happened and what could happen in Randall's life. I hope that this novella is a brief tidbit and bridge between the last book and a new one soon to be published.
If you have read the other Randall Lee books than there are no great surprises in this novella (damn it!). The plot progresses as I assumed it would, with the MC doing what he does without being too much of an emo-asshat this time. Some of my favorite supporting characters make appearances and we see a little more into some of their story as well.
Overall a very good if damnably short read. I've waited a while for a new Randall Lee book, but I am willing to wait longer for a good book rather than the author put out crap in a hurry.
Randall is also one screwed up MC with a horrible backstory who has done some terrible things. This novella does a good job of reminding readers what happened and what could happen in Randall's life. I hope that this novella is a brief tidbit and bridge between the last book and a new one soon to be published.
If you have read the other Randall Lee books than there are no great surprises in this novella (damn it!). The plot progresses as I assumed it would, with the MC doing what he does without being too much of an emo-asshat this time. Some of my favorite supporting characters make appearances and we see a little more into some of their story as well.
Overall a very good if damnably short read. I've waited a while for a new Randall Lee book, but I am willing to wait longer for a good book rather than the author put out crap in a hurry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2018
Nice!
This was a brief interlude in Randall Lee's life of chaos. There is more healing and fixing and warmth in this novella than in most of the other books of the series. As I approached the end of the book I thought to myself how relaxing this story had been compared to the last one. And then, all of a sudden, in the last few pages I found myself hanging from a cliff again. The next book will surely be a killer!
This was a brief interlude in Randall Lee's life of chaos. There is more healing and fixing and warmth in this novella than in most of the other books of the series. As I approached the end of the book I thought to myself how relaxing this story had been compared to the last one. And then, all of a sudden, in the last few pages I found myself hanging from a cliff again. The next book will surely be a killer!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews