They Don't Run Red Trains Anymore

by Heidi von Palleske

Set in the 1980's, They Don't Run Red Trains Anymore explores the nature of love, sexuality and the importance of art in our day to day life. Alex Hoff is a young artist who witnesses a suicide at a subway station. That same day an exotic young woman comes to pose in her life drawing class at art college. An obsession takes over Alex's art and mind. Her teacher, Boris misconstrues her intentions and offers to give her extra tutoring. Alex soon finds out that the model, Premika, is his lover as well. The triangle becomes a competition, both in the art world and in the realm of each of their hearts. Alex's obsession with Premika drives her to create. Too intimidated to carve in stone, she sets out to sculpt a life-sized terracotta replica of Premika, but in order to succeed she needs to know this beautiful but enigmatic woman thoroughly. She slowly peels away Premika's carefully constructed, yet superficial, layers to get to the essential core of her being only to expose a well hidden, rooted sorrow. They Don't Run Red Trains Anymore is a love story that breaks the rules and labels of society. This is a love that does not limit itself to age, race or gender. It is the love of the idealist. The love of beauty, the love of art and the love of desire. They Don't Run Red Trains Anymore is thought provoking, philosophical and heart felt. It is a cry in the dark in defense of art, love and obsession. They Don't Run Red Trains Anymore is a winner of the HR PERCY AWARD for best novel manuscript in Eastern Canada. Recipient of Toronto Arts Council Award Recipent of the Ontario Arts council Award Toronto Star Critics choice

218 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2017

About the author

Heidi von Palleske is an actor and an activist as well as a writer. As a film actor she is best known for her work in the Feminist Western, Bordello, and her breakout movie Dead Ringers.

Her favourite authors include: Robertson Davies, Milan Kundera, Jane Urquhart, John Irving, Michael Ondaatje, Peter Susskind and Lauren B. Davis.

Heidi continues to balance both careers as a writer and as an actor.

https://www.heidivonpalleske.com/

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0902794/

Reviews

[Aysun Basaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in 3 days. It was wonderful - beautifully written with lots of rich detail. Insightful, sensual, brought me back to my 20's when I was living in downtown Toronto (I recognized many restaurants, bars, clubs) I loved the main character Alex (or Lexie or Alexandra) and found myself wishing I could sit down and enjoy a glass of wine with her. Highly recommended! I can hardly wait to read other books by Heidi von Palleske.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read. This book grabs you by the first paragraph, and keeps you enraptured until the very last page. Poignant, intelligent, and eloquently written. Every word, every chapter flows together beautifully.

This book delves into the perspective of an artist's obsession. It follows her failures, her successes, her passions, her dreams.

This book will break your heart in the best of ways.

[Cate McKim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heidi von Palleske conjures up images of love and desire, inspiration and frustration, life and death in her evocative, intimate and intriguing novel They Don’t Run Red Trains Anymore.

Set in 1980s Toronto, sculptor Alex navigates life after art school as she tries to make a name for herself—and leave a legacy—as an artist, paying the bills with a day job carving headstones alongside friend/former classmate Jack. Her life driven by intense artistic focus, beauty and passion, Alex yearns for the approval of mentor/former teacher and gallery owner Boris, who believes the only relevant art is that which is overtly political; and fascination turns to obsession when she meets model Premika, who longs for immortality—and becomes Alex’s muse and the inspiration for her most important project to date. All of the senses are aroused in this erotic and philosophical journey of life and art.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inside glimpse at the workings of an artist as she goes through her process. It is a cry out to appreciate art, to understand creation as well as the cost that it can take on one's psyche. The arguments between the characters about life and the nature of art are both insightful and delightful. And, although the story is told in the first person, all the characters are rich and full. If you like an intelligent, well-researched read with rich and poetic language, if you do not shy away from sensuality and philosophical discourse, then this book is for you.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange that this little gem has gone virtually unnoticed here on Goodreads.

I really, really liked it. Beautifully written, and a great balance and interaction between the protagonists personal life and emotions and her artistic passion and philosophy about art. I liked the references to real art, causing me to look them up and learn.

One detail I particulary loved is how suicide is referenced throughout the story, foreshadowing an ending involving a suicide, but in the end that doesn't happen, and the actual ending is, despite events that are no less dramatic, a reasonably happy one.

[Eve Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant and heart-breaking read. Ms. von Palleske brings the reader through the world of creation and, in doing so. leaves the reader feeling smarter for reading her. It is a true exploration of creation, love, obsession and the nature of art itself.

[Jody Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight into an artist mind

[Lynnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious depiction of the inner life of an artist. Senusal and with great depth and insight that is startlingly aware of struggle and strength. And a great walk through Toronto's iconic hoods.

[Heather Babcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensual, poignant and heartbreaking. This gorgeous novel reads like poetry. Highly recommend.

[marjorie lecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful - love and art, inspiration and desire - Toronto and beyond

[Mark Krebs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profound book. Should be read.