What do you think?
Rate this book
The Unforgiving Line
For some, running is a cornerstone in their lives. To those individuals, there is an unquenchable need to run on roads, trails and track. They cannot explain it, but that does not matter. Running is who they are. It is for them The Unforgiving Line is written. A timeless tale of Mac and an unexpected protégé, D.J., exploring a clash of worlds, wills, dreams and regrets. Blending the past and present of the glorious history of distance running, The Unforgiving Line delivers through the final stride.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2020
9 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 8, 2023
I loved this book. While I found "Once A Runner" to be pretentious and overhyped, Paul Maurer's "The Unforgiving Line" was beautifully written, unpretentious, and contained some of the best descriptions about running I've ever read.
The novel tells the story of D.J., a high school sophomore, and Mac, a former runner who nearly made the 1968 Olympic team and now lives with his beloved wife of 50-years who is slowly dying of complications from MS. D.J. and Mac strike up an unlikely friendship over running despite their pretty big differences, and Mac eventually ends up coaching D.J.'s track team.
I liked the characters in the story. Mac and his beloved wife, Mona, are wonderful characters and were always realistic and believable. D.J. came across as a very credible high school boy, and I thought the author handled D.J.'s complicated relationship with his father very well.
There's nothing especially groundbreaking in this novel and there are no plot huge twists (the novel proceeds fairly predictably which is fine - this is a novel set in the real world and that deals with real-world problems), but the descriptions of running are wonderful and really make the book. If you're looking for a solid good read in the spirit of "Once A Runner," or just would like to try a book about running, I think you'll enjoy "The Unforgiving Line." Highly recommended.
The novel tells the story of D.J., a high school sophomore, and Mac, a former runner who nearly made the 1968 Olympic team and now lives with his beloved wife of 50-years who is slowly dying of complications from MS. D.J. and Mac strike up an unlikely friendship over running despite their pretty big differences, and Mac eventually ends up coaching D.J.'s track team.
I liked the characters in the story. Mac and his beloved wife, Mona, are wonderful characters and were always realistic and believable. D.J. came across as a very credible high school boy, and I thought the author handled D.J.'s complicated relationship with his father very well.
There's nothing especially groundbreaking in this novel and there are no plot huge twists (the novel proceeds fairly predictably which is fine - this is a novel set in the real world and that deals with real-world problems), but the descriptions of running are wonderful and really make the book. If you're looking for a solid good read in the spirit of "Once A Runner," or just would like to try a book about running, I think you'll enjoy "The Unforgiving Line." Highly recommended.
June 11, 2020
This book was a delightful surprise! I am excited to read any new book about running, especially novels, as they are not many great ones, and I’ve found that even good writers struggle to capture the feeling of running well. But the descriptions of running and racing in “The Unforgiving Line” were great—definitely my favorite parts of the book, and some of the best descriptions of running and the feelings of running I’ve ever read. The characters are interesting and the plot moves forward nicely while covering a lot of ground. While objectively Mac’s and DJ’s highs are higher and lows are lower than most readers will experience in their lives, both are relatable as they search for themselves through their running (past, present, and future) and their connections with others, most notably each other. For me, reading the book was equally nostalgic and inspirational. It made me glad to be a runner and a reader. If you like stories about running, “The Unforgiving Line” should be on your shelf.
March 31, 2021
A positive surprise.
August 21, 2020
The Unforgiving Line, by author Paul C Maurer, is one of your requisite tales of good over evil, love over hate and glory over failure. It is set to a coming of age running backdrop. It is a story that relies on a tried and true antagonist versus protagonist tug-of-war but with unique twists.
For example, there isn’t just one overarching antagonist, there are several and the main character D.J. needs to overcome all – a mean task. It’s a lot for a high school athlete transplanted to a new environment and one that is very different from his past.
One not too deeply explored or even fully identified antagonist is the main competitor during D.J.’s high school outdoor track season. They compete several times towards their final clash at the Illinois state championships bringing the story to an epic battle in front of perhaps thousands of spectators.
Another, his father, is not really an antagonist, however, the fear and awkwardness in the father and son relationship doesn’t make the house a happy home and D.J. morphs from dreading interacting with his father to developing a relationship with him – albeit quite late.
Read more: https://athleticsillustrated.com/book...
For example, there isn’t just one overarching antagonist, there are several and the main character D.J. needs to overcome all – a mean task. It’s a lot for a high school athlete transplanted to a new environment and one that is very different from his past.
One not too deeply explored or even fully identified antagonist is the main competitor during D.J.’s high school outdoor track season. They compete several times towards their final clash at the Illinois state championships bringing the story to an epic battle in front of perhaps thousands of spectators.
Another, his father, is not really an antagonist, however, the fear and awkwardness in the father and son relationship doesn’t make the house a happy home and D.J. morphs from dreading interacting with his father to developing a relationship with him – albeit quite late.
Read more: https://athleticsillustrated.com/book...
July 17, 2021
A pleasant surprise
I was hesitant about this book at the start, but as someone who has read too many running books I read on just to see what inspirational nuggets it may have to offer. About a third of the way through the book, I was all in and needed to see just how D.J. Would accomplish his goals. I ended up really enjoying this book and the running wisdom echoed throughout its pages.
I was hesitant about this book at the start, but as someone who has read too many running books I read on just to see what inspirational nuggets it may have to offer. About a third of the way through the book, I was all in and needed to see just how D.J. Would accomplish his goals. I ended up really enjoying this book and the running wisdom echoed throughout its pages.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews