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Paper Father
Everything in Samuel Kerr’s life is gone. After nearly four years in the debtor’s prison system, he’s released into a changed nation. Sam thought he had sent his wife and young son to live in safety with his parents, but when he reaches their California home, he finds his parents killed and his wife and son missing.
While Sam was in prison, national resources dwindled, and the wealthy barricaded themselves in new enclaves nicknamed “The Shining Cities”. Chaos reigns outside these city walls as everyone else fights for survival.
Sam discovers clues that suggest his wife and son are in the Shining City of Aspen, Colorado, more than a thousand miles away. With few supplies, and little chance of survival, Sam sets off toward Aspen.
Fearing he won’t survive the trip, Sam begins writing down his thoughts for his young son, Danny. Through ambush, new friends, and betrayal he uses a legal pad as his confessional and attempts to pass on the things he’s learned. It may be as close to fatherhood as he gets.
While Sam was in prison, national resources dwindled, and the wealthy barricaded themselves in new enclaves nicknamed “The Shining Cities”. Chaos reigns outside these city walls as everyone else fights for survival.
Sam discovers clues that suggest his wife and son are in the Shining City of Aspen, Colorado, more than a thousand miles away. With few supplies, and little chance of survival, Sam sets off toward Aspen.
Fearing he won’t survive the trip, Sam begins writing down his thoughts for his young son, Danny. Through ambush, new friends, and betrayal he uses a legal pad as his confessional and attempts to pass on the things he’s learned. It may be as close to fatherhood as he gets.
425 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2020
15 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
D. Todd Deeken
1 book5 followersTodd Deeken is best known for the well respected car review show “Everyday Driver”, but has been writing and having outdoor adventures his entire life.
He wrote multiple short stories as a teenager, and moved to Los Angeles in his twenties to pursue screenwriting. After fourteen years, more than a dozen scripts, and many solo camping and climbing adventures throughout California, Todd moved to Park City, Utah with his wife and son.
Sometimes he just tells stories to his son. Sometimes he writes them down. Occasionally, as with his novel Paper Father, he actually publishes them.
He wrote multiple short stories as a teenager, and moved to Los Angeles in his twenties to pursue screenwriting. After fourteen years, more than a dozen scripts, and many solo camping and climbing adventures throughout California, Todd moved to Park City, Utah with his wife and son.
Sometimes he just tells stories to his son. Sometimes he writes them down. Occasionally, as with his novel Paper Father, he actually publishes them.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 21, 2020
Honestly, this is not the type of book I would usually gravitate towards, but I am really glad that I read it. It was really well done and very engaging. The characters were real, well done, and very believable. You will have strong emotions about many of them. The writing gives you just the right amount of information without being too wordy just for the sake of it. I could really picture this world and it is scary believable. He is a real storyteller and you can see it on every page of this book. I looked forward to being able to read this each night. And I'm not saying this lightly, that it has re-kindled my love for reading that has been dormant because of kids and life. That is what a good book can do. I loved it and the ending made me cry, which is hard for a book to do to me. I can't recommend it enough.
July 9, 2024
A fantastic story in a setting that isn't too hard to imagine becoming our own reality. Todd does an excellent job of pulling you into the world he created and keeping it similar enough to our own world today that I found myself genuinely reflecting on what would I do if that became our reality?! When I was able to read I was easily lost in the book for far longer periods of time than I should have been, and I regret none of it! Cannot recommend reading this enough!
December 31, 2020
Spectacular "freshman" effort from Todd Deeken. A good read for anyone that's a fan of suspense or distopian fiction. Todd's depiction of a near future distopia and it's trigger may be almost as terrifying for it's plausibility as the threats facing Sam Kerr as he navigates his way across a very inhospitable southwestern US.
The pace of the book is quick; you can get though it in a weekend if you ignore responsibility - and the suspense will make you want to do just that.
Beyond the action, the book speaks to me as a father, a son, a spouse. The threadbare soul of Sam brought me to tears more than once. Todd's characters are developed in such a way that your feelings towards them natural ebb and flow - they are not as concrete or predictable as those of some other writers.
Overall: a thrilling, emotional journey that reminds us of the importance of family, love, responsibility, perseverance and decency. I look forward to Todd's future works. I just hope I don't have to wait another ten years.
The pace of the book is quick; you can get though it in a weekend if you ignore responsibility - and the suspense will make you want to do just that.
Beyond the action, the book speaks to me as a father, a son, a spouse. The threadbare soul of Sam brought me to tears more than once. Todd's characters are developed in such a way that your feelings towards them natural ebb and flow - they are not as concrete or predictable as those of some other writers.
Overall: a thrilling, emotional journey that reminds us of the importance of family, love, responsibility, perseverance and decency. I look forward to Todd's future works. I just hope I don't have to wait another ten years.
February 18, 2021
This is a great story. The writing style struck me as unconventional but in a good way - short, direct sentences that kept the story moving at a very brisk pace. I can’t articulate what it was about Todd’s style that stuck out to me, but it felt like the work of a storyteller, not just a writer.
The second subplot/setting was very nicely woven in after it was introduced part way through, and the two branches of the story came together at the end in a surprising, unpredictable, and satisfying way. You will root for Sam, and not be quite so sure how to feel about other characters. Some post-apocalyptic aspects of the book, Sam’s odyssey, and the does-the-end-justify-the-means survival tactics of some characters, reminded me of Stephen King’s The Stand. If you liked The Stand, read this book. I think I enjoyed Paper Father more, and I thought it had a better ending.
Finally, the thread of Sam’s writings to his son was unique and compelling, and resonated with me deeply.
The second subplot/setting was very nicely woven in after it was introduced part way through, and the two branches of the story came together at the end in a surprising, unpredictable, and satisfying way. You will root for Sam, and not be quite so sure how to feel about other characters. Some post-apocalyptic aspects of the book, Sam’s odyssey, and the does-the-end-justify-the-means survival tactics of some characters, reminded me of Stephen King’s The Stand. If you liked The Stand, read this book. I think I enjoyed Paper Father more, and I thought it had a better ending.
Finally, the thread of Sam’s writings to his son was unique and compelling, and resonated with me deeply.
December 29, 2020
Thoughtful about fatherhood and our fractured world
As a father of two young boys, I have some idea of what raising kids is like. Todd's book about a father who seeks ways to protect, nurture and guide his son in a fractured and broken world still resonates. We may not be in a post economic apocalypse (yet!), but we are all human beings in need of relationships as simple as father to son. Todd's writing easily evokes the grand imagery of the western United States and it was fun to track Sam's route from California, where I live, to Colorado on Google maps. Likewise, the character development was believable and full. Although Curtis plays a foil, Mark, Ariel and Laura are people we can meet in daily life making things work with what they got. Bravo on an excellent first novel. I hope for more to come when you are not off driving, filming, podcasting, editing....
As a father of two young boys, I have some idea of what raising kids is like. Todd's book about a father who seeks ways to protect, nurture and guide his son in a fractured and broken world still resonates. We may not be in a post economic apocalypse (yet!), but we are all human beings in need of relationships as simple as father to son. Todd's writing easily evokes the grand imagery of the western United States and it was fun to track Sam's route from California, where I live, to Colorado on Google maps. Likewise, the character development was believable and full. Although Curtis plays a foil, Mark, Ariel and Laura are people we can meet in daily life making things work with what they got. Bravo on an excellent first novel. I hope for more to come when you are not off driving, filming, podcasting, editing....
January 20, 2021
I found this book because the author has a podcast I listen to weekly. His writing is excellent for a new author, but he has written screenplays in the past. I found the story to be a page turner and the characters very believable. If you like this style of books or are just looking for a new author, you will be happy to go with his book. I chose the ebook for the ability to edit the font size. But I gave a paperback to my dad as a gift. I will read future books by this author since I was very impressed with his debut novel.
July 17, 2022
Best book I've read in a while
As a long time listener/watcher of Everyday Driver I was super excited to find out there was yet another way to consume co tent from Todd. This book, just like the I podcast, tv show and YouTube channel, didn't disappoint. As a father it tugged at my heart strings. Can`t wait to read more stories Todd. Keep writing in all that free time you've got.
As a long time listener/watcher of Everyday Driver I was super excited to find out there was yet another way to consume co tent from Todd. This book, just like the I podcast, tv show and YouTube channel, didn't disappoint. As a father it tugged at my heart strings. Can`t wait to read more stories Todd. Keep writing in all that free time you've got.
February 12, 2025
Paper Father is the tale of a man’s arduous journey across a post-apocalyptic USA to find his son and wife.
Simple enough premise but with enough unique elements to set it apart. It was very fast paced and played out like movie most of the time. There are a few sections that didn’t feel necessary and the ending goes on a bit too long, but I must admit I was very anxious to find out if Sam would get to see his son!
Simple enough premise but with enough unique elements to set it apart. It was very fast paced and played out like movie most of the time. There are a few sections that didn’t feel necessary and the ending goes on a bit too long, but I must admit I was very anxious to find out if Sam would get to see his son!
December 27, 2020
I don’t read much but I couldn’t put Paper Father down once I started reading. I can’t remember the last time I read a book in a couple of days. Paper Father had me intrigued the entire time. I don’t yet have children of my own but yet still felt so connected to Sam and his journey. Todd thank you for writing such an excellent book. I can’t wait to read more of your work.
December 21, 2020
Good book about distopian society and triumph of human spirit and fatherhood
Enjoyed Paper Father very much, its good story and easy to read, and devour in no time. Decir recommend this book for all fathers out there.
Enjoyed Paper Father very much, its good story and easy to read, and devour in no time. Decir recommend this book for all fathers out there.
December 29, 2020
Enjoyed this page turner
I found out about this from his podcast. The book moves well from beginning to end. Great plot twists lead to an unexpected ending but not one that is out of line with the rest of the book. Some of the action details stretch credulity like the recoveries from injuries. Good character development. Will we wait ten years for a second novel?
I found out about this from his podcast. The book moves well from beginning to end. Great plot twists lead to an unexpected ending but not one that is out of line with the rest of the book. Some of the action details stretch credulity like the recoveries from injuries. Good character development. Will we wait ten years for a second novel?
December 8, 2020
An amazing first novel! A positive Father\Son story, heart suspending, and heart felt, I implore everyone who gets recommended this book to PLEASE read this. You will be surprised.
June 28, 2021
Paper Father
I enjoyed this book very much. I was always touring for Sam. The ending was great will there be a continuation
I enjoyed this book very much. I was always touring for Sam. The ending was great will there be a continuation
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews