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Turnback Creek: A Novella
A man gains and loses many things on his journey from birth to death. Toward the end of life, it seems a man loses more than he gains. Retired heavy-equipment operator Cole Emerson has lost his wife, is about to lose his only sister, and is estranged from his daughter. He sells his trailer in Oklahoma and moves into his sister Elsie's house on Hardman Lake, a sprawling man-made impoundment in the lush Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri. Elsie is dying. During the day, Cole cooks, cleans, and tries to keep her comfortable, napping when she naps, adapting his needs to her schedule. At night, he escapes into the dark solitude of Hardman Lake to fish for bass and clear his head, until one night in Turnback Creek he sees a mysterious girl who awakens in him a young man's desires and old buried memories.
- GenresMystery
80 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 21, 2020
A very worth while gem of a story.
April 3, 2023
Turn back Creek by Lonnie Busch
This is a short story of mystery, love, story with a touch of grief. I absolutely love this story and would like to thank Goodreads giveaway and of course Lonnie Busch.
This is a short story of mystery, love, story with a touch of grief. I absolutely love this story and would like to thank Goodreads giveaway and of course Lonnie Busch.
March 10, 2023
This short story had mystery, atmosphere and intrigue. Rather than being fast paced, there was an underlying sense of foreboding. It was like being beckoned further into the woods, fearing that something horrifying was going to be revealed but unable to resist out of an intense curiosity.
A well written novella which made it easy to visualise each scene. I really liked the setting, which would be perfect for a horror novel with the young girl being revealed as a spirit or serial killer.
A well written novella which made it easy to visualise each scene. I really liked the setting, which would be perfect for a horror novel with the young girl being revealed as a spirit or serial killer.
April 4, 2023
Turnback Creek is not a typical ghost story and it was beautiful in the most unconventional sense. Cole Emerson is dealing with his dying sister, Elsie. During their days together, he tends to her needs. The nights are his to do with as he pleases, which he uses for fishing at the lake near Elsie's cabin. One evening, Cole hears the familiar hum of machinery and finds the source of the noise: a naked, young girl (14) named Hannah, who is operating heavy machinery. What begins as a bizarre encounter slowly descends into Cole's life spiraling out of control as his sister's condition worsens. Cole's estranged daughter, Lily, comes to be with her father and aunt, soon becoming infuriated by Cole's nightly disappearances to visit Hannah instead of tending to Elsie in her final days.
This is a story about loss and dealing with the trauma after loss. Cole lost his father when he left and never returned, he lost his mother and his wife. He is watching his sister slowly die and his strained relationship with his daughter is threatening to dissolve completely. Can redemption and forgiveness be found in the depths of sorrow?
Lonnie Busch crafts a lovely, melancholic reflection and meditation on death. It is the modern equivalent of Southern literature by the likes of Truman Capote, Cormac McCarthy and Flannery O'Connor. The emotions are sincere and heartfelt, despite not allowing the reader any chance to grow sentimental toward the cast of characters. This is a ghost story, but not with any actual spirits or paranormal phenomena. The specters are of bitterness, loss and youth abruptly discarded. Much like Southern weather, the moods in this story loom over the reader like the muggiest, most humid of days.
I'm rating this one ☠️ x4.
This is a story about loss and dealing with the trauma after loss. Cole lost his father when he left and never returned, he lost his mother and his wife. He is watching his sister slowly die and his strained relationship with his daughter is threatening to dissolve completely. Can redemption and forgiveness be found in the depths of sorrow?
Lonnie Busch crafts a lovely, melancholic reflection and meditation on death. It is the modern equivalent of Southern literature by the likes of Truman Capote, Cormac McCarthy and Flannery O'Connor. The emotions are sincere and heartfelt, despite not allowing the reader any chance to grow sentimental toward the cast of characters. This is a ghost story, but not with any actual spirits or paranormal phenomena. The specters are of bitterness, loss and youth abruptly discarded. Much like Southern weather, the moods in this story loom over the reader like the muggiest, most humid of days.
I'm rating this one ☠️ x4.
July 11, 2009
Turnback Creek by Lonnie Busch
Huntsville: Texas Review Press
$12.95 – 65 pages
In reading the works of major Southern writers in recent years, a singular theme repeatedly emerges: the protean nature of water. In the novels of Ron Rash, water appears as both lethal and life sustaining (Saints at the River); while in One Foot in Eden the building of a dam obliterates a small farming community. At other times, water is an agent of renewal or teasing mystery. In the writings of James Dickey (Deliverance) and William Gay (Provinces of the Night), water sometimes brings violent transformations.
Lonnie Busch’s slender novella, Turnback Creek, manages to embody many of these diverse themes in this skillfully crafted work - only 65 pages – a truly amazing accomplishment! In essence, Turnback Creek represents a kind of literary distillation in which the author has stripped his story to a polished crux.
This accomplishment has not gone unnoticed. Turnback Creek has received the Clay Reynolds Novella Prize and the praise of his peers, many of whom stress the work’s resemblance to a parable of life, death and redemption.
The book’s protagonist, Cole Emerson, is a man who is in the process of “coming to terms” with his misspent life. Now in his 70’s, Cole finds himself living on a small farm in a remote section of Missouri. He has lived a heedless, nomadic existence as a heavy equipment operator, often bragging of pulling down a white-collar salary operating backhoes and tractors. He has little to show for it. At the end of his life, Cole, now a widower and estranged from his daughter, spends his days tending a dying sister. At night when the sister is sedated, he fishes a tributary of Hartman Lake called Turnback Creek and ponders the past. It is here that he first encounters Hannah, a naked fourteen-year-old girl, who emerges from the darkness one night, driving a backhoe through the moonlit woods adjoining the lake.
Is she real? Is she perhaps a projection of Cole’s yearning for his own lost youth? Regardless, the naked girl behaves like a demonic sprite as she struggles to control the backhoe. The old man is transfixed by the girl’s antics. Further, Cole senses that she knows he is watching her, and when he turns his boat towards home, he sees the moonlit figure on a cliff above the lake. The next night, he is back, hoping she will appear again.
In time, Cole comes face-to-face with the girl and learns that her name is Hannah. Despite daylight encounters that reveal Hannah to be a troubled and angry teenager with an alcoholic father, the old man continues to perceive her as a near-supernatural being. Cole becomes obsessed with Hannah and finds himself plagued by guilt and foreboding. He begins to brood about his former jobs – removing coffins from graveyards that are destined to be flooded, constructing dams and diverting rivers.
When Hannah asks Cole to teach her to operate the controls of the backhoe, he discovers that she intends to dig a hole near her home … a hole deep enough to “bury a man so that he will never be found.” Finally, Cole perceives a disturbing parallel between Hannah’s irresponsible father and his own sire – another heedless, undependable man who mysteriously vanished one day as though “the earth had swallowed him.”
There is much to admire in Turnback Creek. The beauty of Busch’s descriptive passages are noteworthy, especially those that capture the haunting imagery of a lake at night, the sheen of moonlit water and the plop of a lure. Reading these passages brought to mind, Any Cold Jordan by David Bottoms, another midnight fisherman who can capture the soft whistle of a cast line and the splash of a moon-drunk bass.
Lonnie Busch is currently serving as co-editor (with Jubal Tiner) of the quarterly literary magazine, Pisgah Review, which is based at Brevard College.
Huntsville: Texas Review Press
$12.95 – 65 pages
In reading the works of major Southern writers in recent years, a singular theme repeatedly emerges: the protean nature of water. In the novels of Ron Rash, water appears as both lethal and life sustaining (Saints at the River); while in One Foot in Eden the building of a dam obliterates a small farming community. At other times, water is an agent of renewal or teasing mystery. In the writings of James Dickey (Deliverance) and William Gay (Provinces of the Night), water sometimes brings violent transformations.
Lonnie Busch’s slender novella, Turnback Creek, manages to embody many of these diverse themes in this skillfully crafted work - only 65 pages – a truly amazing accomplishment! In essence, Turnback Creek represents a kind of literary distillation in which the author has stripped his story to a polished crux.
This accomplishment has not gone unnoticed. Turnback Creek has received the Clay Reynolds Novella Prize and the praise of his peers, many of whom stress the work’s resemblance to a parable of life, death and redemption.
The book’s protagonist, Cole Emerson, is a man who is in the process of “coming to terms” with his misspent life. Now in his 70’s, Cole finds himself living on a small farm in a remote section of Missouri. He has lived a heedless, nomadic existence as a heavy equipment operator, often bragging of pulling down a white-collar salary operating backhoes and tractors. He has little to show for it. At the end of his life, Cole, now a widower and estranged from his daughter, spends his days tending a dying sister. At night when the sister is sedated, he fishes a tributary of Hartman Lake called Turnback Creek and ponders the past. It is here that he first encounters Hannah, a naked fourteen-year-old girl, who emerges from the darkness one night, driving a backhoe through the moonlit woods adjoining the lake.
Is she real? Is she perhaps a projection of Cole’s yearning for his own lost youth? Regardless, the naked girl behaves like a demonic sprite as she struggles to control the backhoe. The old man is transfixed by the girl’s antics. Further, Cole senses that she knows he is watching her, and when he turns his boat towards home, he sees the moonlit figure on a cliff above the lake. The next night, he is back, hoping she will appear again.
In time, Cole comes face-to-face with the girl and learns that her name is Hannah. Despite daylight encounters that reveal Hannah to be a troubled and angry teenager with an alcoholic father, the old man continues to perceive her as a near-supernatural being. Cole becomes obsessed with Hannah and finds himself plagued by guilt and foreboding. He begins to brood about his former jobs – removing coffins from graveyards that are destined to be flooded, constructing dams and diverting rivers.
When Hannah asks Cole to teach her to operate the controls of the backhoe, he discovers that she intends to dig a hole near her home … a hole deep enough to “bury a man so that he will never be found.” Finally, Cole perceives a disturbing parallel between Hannah’s irresponsible father and his own sire – another heedless, undependable man who mysteriously vanished one day as though “the earth had swallowed him.”
There is much to admire in Turnback Creek. The beauty of Busch’s descriptive passages are noteworthy, especially those that capture the haunting imagery of a lake at night, the sheen of moonlit water and the plop of a lure. Reading these passages brought to mind, Any Cold Jordan by David Bottoms, another midnight fisherman who can capture the soft whistle of a cast line and the splash of a moon-drunk bass.
Lonnie Busch is currently serving as co-editor (with Jubal Tiner) of the quarterly literary magazine, Pisgah Review, which is based at Brevard College.
July 31, 2023
Warning!
All but one of the stories in this book have strong sexual imagery and the first story is what seems to be the author's positive view of paedophilia. It's about a 70 year old man's sexual fantasies about a 14 year old girl. I felt physically ill from reading this book and definitely do not recommend.
I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.
All but one of the stories in this book have strong sexual imagery and the first story is what seems to be the author's positive view of paedophilia. It's about a 70 year old man's sexual fantasies about a 14 year old girl. I felt physically ill from reading this book and definitely do not recommend.
I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.
November 3, 2023
In Turnback Creek, Lonnie Busch tells a story of hope amidst loss, adversity, and the monotonous everydayness of life. It's an excellent study of life that takes a beautiful look at morals. Cole Emerson, a retired heavy equipment operator, has a poor connection with his daughter since the death of his wife and is about to lose his only sister Elsie. He sells his caravan in Oklahoma and moves into his sister Elsie's house on Hardman Lake, a big man-made lake in the beautiful Ozark Mountains in southern Missouri. Elsie is in her final hours. While performing household duties during the day, Cole tries to keep her comfortable. He modifies his demands to fit her schedule. To relax a little at night, he goes fishing in Hardman Lake. There, one day, he comes upon a mystery female who is entirely naked. His life becomes chaotic as a result of his ageing ambitions and his sister's failing health. When Lily, Cole's estranged daughter, moves in with her father and aunt after their divorce, she quickly grows upset over Cole's frequent excursions to see Hannah rather than caring for Elsie in her final days. This narrative is a unique gem because it offers hope in the midst of loss and suffering. This narrative is a true representation of how the human mind may be complicated to pursue in the middle of trauma and personal loss.
Although this book is brief, it makes for an excellent weekend read because of its lasting value and impact. Although the speech and characterizations are crude and unpolished, there are occasionally unexpectedly lyrical subtleties in the descriptions of the settings and gestures. After turning in the work, I found that I couldn't stop thinking about specific passages, imagining specific events, and speculating about the characters' inner thoughts as they contrasted with their outer behaviours. To completely understand the novel, I had to read it again. For this enjoyable journey, the author has skillfully created a lovely story backdrop. The characters' feelings are expertly created. They are realistic and relatable. Even if you are older or in a different circumstance than the protagonist, Busch's portrayal of an ageing man in this book makes it easier for you to relate with him. Because of how realistically the characters are portrayed, I have been thinking about them months after I completed the narrative. Cole, who is on the verge of death, fights to survive by exorcising ghosts and demons from his past. I highly recommend reading this book, and I do so to all readers.
Although this book is brief, it makes for an excellent weekend read because of its lasting value and impact. Although the speech and characterizations are crude and unpolished, there are occasionally unexpectedly lyrical subtleties in the descriptions of the settings and gestures. After turning in the work, I found that I couldn't stop thinking about specific passages, imagining specific events, and speculating about the characters' inner thoughts as they contrasted with their outer behaviours. To completely understand the novel, I had to read it again. For this enjoyable journey, the author has skillfully created a lovely story backdrop. The characters' feelings are expertly created. They are realistic and relatable. Even if you are older or in a different circumstance than the protagonist, Busch's portrayal of an ageing man in this book makes it easier for you to relate with him. Because of how realistically the characters are portrayed, I have been thinking about them months after I completed the narrative. Cole, who is on the verge of death, fights to survive by exorcising ghosts and demons from his past. I highly recommend reading this book, and I do so to all readers.
October 14, 2023
Lonnie Busch in Turnback Creek presents a story of hope amid grief, struggle and boring mundane existence of life. It's a wonderful study of life reflecting a melodious look on morality. After the loss of his wife, Cole Emerson, a retired heavy equipment operator has a strained relationship with his daughter and, is on the verge of losing his sole sister Elsie. He sells his caravan in Oklahoma and moves into his sister Elsie's residence on Hardman Lake, a sizable artificial lake in southern Missouri's lush Ozark Mountains. Elsie is on her last days. Cole strives to keep her comfortable during the day doing household chores. He adjusts his requirements to suit her timetable. He goes to fishing in Hardman lake to clear his mind a bit in night. One day there he encounters a mysterious girl completely naked. His old desires and the deteriorating health of his sister turn his life chaotic. When Lily, Cole's estranged daughter, relocates to live with her father and aunt, she rapidly becomes irate over Cole's nightly adventures to visit Hannah rather than taking care of Elsie in her last days. Hope in the midst of grief and lost turns this story a rare gem. How human mind can be complex to pursue in the midst of trauma and personal loss, this story is a true portrayal.
The characters in this novella presents a true sketch of battered human soul in total grief. Overcoming the grief and loss isn't easy and the author weaves a great melancholic story upon that idea. The book has six more stories maintaining the dark vibe of the book. The call of tin is one that I absolutely loved. It too represents the life changing of a human being witnessing a frightening creature. Lonnie Busch through this book shows us the choice of life amid death and destruction. Though it shows the melancholic losses of human life, it actually celebrates life. The prosaic language is spectacularly vibrant to draw the emotional moments and turmoils of mundane reality. This book is a must read for all.
The characters in this novella presents a true sketch of battered human soul in total grief. Overcoming the grief and loss isn't easy and the author weaves a great melancholic story upon that idea. The book has six more stories maintaining the dark vibe of the book. The call of tin is one that I absolutely loved. It too represents the life changing of a human being witnessing a frightening creature. Lonnie Busch through this book shows us the choice of life amid death and destruction. Though it shows the melancholic losses of human life, it actually celebrates life. The prosaic language is spectacularly vibrant to draw the emotional moments and turmoils of mundane reality. This book is a must read for all.
October 31, 2023
It is the desire of every reader to read about life's reflections. Usually, the losses dominate the gains in a story. It gives us the emotions we require to go past our grief and suffering while shining hope. In Turnback Creek, Lonnie Busch tells a story of hope in the face of tragedy, adversity, and the mundane routine of daily life. Similar to the weather in the South, the moods in this story loom over the reader like the wettest, muggiest of days. Due to the loss of his wife and father, Cole Emerson's life was already in jeopardy when he decided to assist his sick sister. When his daughter found out about his nightly antics, their already strained relationship took a turn for the worst. Cole Emerson's previous impulses, however, have reappeared after he came across a mysterious, naked girl in a lake. The narrative paints a picture of how he manages his life among chaos and desolation. The collection contains six additional short stories. Each is equally great in concept and prose, just like the novella. The sad loss of human life is a constant motif in all of them.
What I cherished most about this book was ~
Plotline: The novella's plot and the stories' six twists and turns make me unable to put it down until turning the final page.
Language: The book's rich, vivid language helps to create a gloomy atmosphere. On that backdrop, the emotions of the struggling characters are expertly portrayed.
Characters: All of the book's characters are endearing and relatable. Even years after finishing the novel, I can still relate to their feelings and dialogue.
Themes and Metaphors: I adored how the author kept the theme consistent throughout the entire book, and I also adored how each metaphor was skillfully employed to further explain each circumstance.
Life concepts: It's fantastic to have life concepts incorporated into the plot. With this extension, it becomes the narrative of our entire lives.
Turnback Creek was amazing, and I want that everyone who read it would agree.
What I cherished most about this book was ~
Plotline: The novella's plot and the stories' six twists and turns make me unable to put it down until turning the final page.
Language: The book's rich, vivid language helps to create a gloomy atmosphere. On that backdrop, the emotions of the struggling characters are expertly portrayed.
Characters: All of the book's characters are endearing and relatable. Even years after finishing the novel, I can still relate to their feelings and dialogue.
Themes and Metaphors: I adored how the author kept the theme consistent throughout the entire book, and I also adored how each metaphor was skillfully employed to further explain each circumstance.
Life concepts: It's fantastic to have life concepts incorporated into the plot. With this extension, it becomes the narrative of our entire lives.
Turnback Creek was amazing, and I want that everyone who read it would agree.
October 14, 2023
It's not joy and happiness but loss and grief that has the power to change the route of our lives. Lonnie Busch in Turnback Creek shows that with an unique journey. The psychological dynamics of memory, imagination, passion, guilt, hope, and desire are courageously explored in Turnback Creek. A retired heavy equipment operator named Cole Emerson recently lost his wife, is about to lose his only sibling, and has a tense relationship with his daughter. When I initially met Cole, the protagonist, I had the impression that I had been introduced to a lonesome man with a cool, hard exterior and a strong sense of right and wrong that was tempered with pragmatism. When Cole meets the mysterious naked girl, his old desires flame in mind. This untimely emotional turmoils not only alters his position in life but also changes his life philosophy.
Although this short book is a great weekend read, its significance and influence are long. The descriptions of locales and gesture details occasionally display a surprising lyricism. After reading the book, I discovered that I couldn't stop thinking about certain sections, picturing certain scenes, and wondering the inner thoughts of the characters as they contrasted with their outward appearances. I had to read the novel again to grasp its essence fully. The author has masterfully crafted a lovely plot backdrop for this delightful voyage. The emotions of the characters are masterfully crafted. They are relatable and realistic. Even if you are different in age and in a different situation from the protagonist, Busch presents so realistic portrayal of an ageing man in this book that helps you identify with him. I've been thinking about the characters for days after I finished the story because their portrayals are so real. Even though Cole is nearing the end of his life, he struggles to stay alive by casting out ghosts and demons from his past. This book is great and I urge any reader to just read it.
Although this short book is a great weekend read, its significance and influence are long. The descriptions of locales and gesture details occasionally display a surprising lyricism. After reading the book, I discovered that I couldn't stop thinking about certain sections, picturing certain scenes, and wondering the inner thoughts of the characters as they contrasted with their outward appearances. I had to read the novel again to grasp its essence fully. The author has masterfully crafted a lovely plot backdrop for this delightful voyage. The emotions of the characters are masterfully crafted. They are relatable and realistic. Even if you are different in age and in a different situation from the protagonist, Busch presents so realistic portrayal of an ageing man in this book that helps you identify with him. I've been thinking about the characters for days after I finished the story because their portrayals are so real. Even though Cole is nearing the end of his life, he struggles to stay alive by casting out ghosts and demons from his past. This book is great and I urge any reader to just read it.
September 27, 2023
Lonnie Busch's "Turnback Creek: A Novella & Six Stories" is an engrossing anthology that delves into the depths of human emotions and the mysterious nature of life's ups and downs. The book evokes an eerie unsettling feeling in its a fifteen-chapter novella and six short stories with different themes and motifs. The novella introduces us to Cole Emerson, a former heavy equipment operator who struggles with the burden of responsibility while taking care of his sick sister Elsie during the workday. But when night sets, he takes comfort in the solitude of Hardman Lake, casting his line and losing himself in thoughts and retrospection. He comes into an intimidating adolescent girl one night at Turnback Creek who stirs up dormant passions and brings back long-forgotten memories. What comes next is a captivating investigation into nostalgia, longing, and the aftereffects of adolescence.
Although the novella is fantastic on its own, I want to draw everyone's attention to the short stories, especially, Chaos Chaos, where we can see Busch's talent for character development and story narration. Beside the novella, all the six different short stories have distinctive voices and viewpoints. Readers can choose from a variety of tales that has enough horror as well as romance elements. These stories are dripping with the devastating bite of loss, sadness, and the potential of atonement. The language is easy and conversational. The author's narrative technique demands praise as the book successfully reveals the subtleties of the human spirit. The literary masterpiece "Turnback Creek" will appeal to readers who enjoy tales that touch the heart while negotiating the perplexing terrain of life.
Overall, "Turnback Creek: A Novella & Six Stories" is a thought provoking anthology that deals with raw emotions and pushes readers to reflect.
Although the novella is fantastic on its own, I want to draw everyone's attention to the short stories, especially, Chaos Chaos, where we can see Busch's talent for character development and story narration. Beside the novella, all the six different short stories have distinctive voices and viewpoints. Readers can choose from a variety of tales that has enough horror as well as romance elements. These stories are dripping with the devastating bite of loss, sadness, and the potential of atonement. The language is easy and conversational. The author's narrative technique demands praise as the book successfully reveals the subtleties of the human spirit. The literary masterpiece "Turnback Creek" will appeal to readers who enjoy tales that touch the heart while negotiating the perplexing terrain of life.
Overall, "Turnback Creek: A Novella & Six Stories" is a thought provoking anthology that deals with raw emotions and pushes readers to reflect.
October 13, 2023
We all readers strive to read reflections on life. Most of the time the tale is about the loss than gains. It gives us the cathertic emotions to overcome our grief and struggle showing hope and light. In Turnback Creek, Lonnie Busch tells a story of hope amidst loss, adversity, and the monotonous everydayness of life. Despite the fact that this novella is a ghost story, there are no actual ghosts or paranormal events in it. The ghosts represent regret, bitterness, and youth that was abruptly abandoned. Similar to the weather in the South, the moods in this story loom over the reader like the wettest, muggiest of days. When Cole Emerson shifts to his dying sister to help her, his life was already in jeopardy after the death of his father and wife. His strained relationship with daughter was affected more when his daughter comes to know about his nightly adventures. But Cole Emerson's old desires are back after meeting a naked mysterious girl in lake. How he manages his life under grief and chaos is sketched in the story. There other six stories in the book too. Each equally beautiful in theme and prose like the novella. The theme of melancholic losses of human life repeatatively comes in all of those.
I loved how masterfully the author has crafted such an amazing and unique narrative. With great prose the author has created a beautiful plot setting for this wonderful journey. The characters and their emotions are fantastically carved. They are realistic and relatable. The life philosophies of the central characters are amazing to see. The celebration of life amid grief and loss wins heart while reading. One can't deny the power of beautiful metaphors in the book to leave permanent impression on mind of the reader. I was stunned for a while after reading this literary gem.
I loved how masterfully the author has crafted such an amazing and unique narrative. With great prose the author has created a beautiful plot setting for this wonderful journey. The characters and their emotions are fantastically carved. They are realistic and relatable. The life philosophies of the central characters are amazing to see. The celebration of life amid grief and loss wins heart while reading. One can't deny the power of beautiful metaphors in the book to leave permanent impression on mind of the reader. I was stunned for a while after reading this literary gem.
October 14, 2023
Emotions of our lives get reflected in the writings of storytellers. Lonnie Busch's Turnback Creek is no exception. It captures all the basic emotions of human life. Cole Emerson, the central character in the novella Turnback Creek faces grief and loss in most of his struggled time on earth, after passing his father, and wife. His condition becomes more critical after his only sisters health deteriorates and his estranged relationship with his daughter isn't helping. After doing all the work to help his sister, Cole relaxes a bit through fishing in lake at night. But his life becomes chaotic after his old desires come back after meeting a mysterious naked girl. The novella and all the six stories actually talks about light in the dark. Through dark grief and loss it tries to celebrate life by reflecting on morality whatever the situation is.
I loved the book wholeheartedly but the features that impressed me through out the book are as follows:
★ Prose Quality ~ the author has used perfect language and choice of words to create the dark mood of the text. Filled with various metaphors the prose of the book is gorgeous to read.
★ Character Sketching ~ Through out the book I just loved every emotions of the main characters. All of them are flawlessly created and are relatable.
★ Setting ~ Each and every setting for the stories are beautifully crafted. The lake for the novella turns out to be a character itself to lead the story forward.
★ Theme and Dialogues ~ I enjoyed how the author have maintained the the dark theme through out the book. It's not easy to maintain. The dialogues in emotional moments are fantastic and touched me.
★ Life Philosophy ~ the intertwined life philosophies with the unique story line is extra bonus for the readers like me.
Overall I enjoyed the book and urge all the readers to taste this gem.
I loved the book wholeheartedly but the features that impressed me through out the book are as follows:
★ Prose Quality ~ the author has used perfect language and choice of words to create the dark mood of the text. Filled with various metaphors the prose of the book is gorgeous to read.
★ Character Sketching ~ Through out the book I just loved every emotions of the main characters. All of them are flawlessly created and are relatable.
★ Setting ~ Each and every setting for the stories are beautifully crafted. The lake for the novella turns out to be a character itself to lead the story forward.
★ Theme and Dialogues ~ I enjoyed how the author have maintained the the dark theme through out the book. It's not easy to maintain. The dialogues in emotional moments are fantastic and touched me.
★ Life Philosophy ~ the intertwined life philosophies with the unique story line is extra bonus for the readers like me.
Overall I enjoyed the book and urge all the readers to taste this gem.
November 12, 2023
Lonnie Busch illustrates brightness in the midst of darkness in Turnback Creek with a unique adventure. The courageous investigation of psychological dynamics by Turnback Creek includes memory, imagination, emotion, shame, hope, and desire. Heavy equipment operator Cole Emerson, who is now retired, recently lost his wife, is soon to lose his only sibling, and doesn't get along with his daughter. When I initially met Cole, the protagonist, I believed I had been introduced to a lonesome man with a hard, stony appearance and a strong sense of right and wrong that was tempered with pragmatism. When Cole discovers the mysterious naked girl, memories of his past passions are still blazing in his memory. These early emotional upheavals have altered his place in life, but his philosophy on life is not.
I absolutely adored the book, however the elements that stood out to me the most were as follows:
Prose quality: The text's gloomy tone was achieved by the author's flawless word choice and usage of language. The book's writing is beautiful to read and is full of varied metaphors.
Character Sketching: I genuinely appreciated reading about the main characters' various feelings throughout the entire novel. They are all incredibly well-made and relatable.
Setting: Every single setting for the stories is exquisitely designed. The lake that serves as the setting for the novella ends up acting as a protagonist.
Theme and Dialogues: I liked how the author kept the book's sombre theme consistent throughout. It's difficult to keep up. The conversations during sensitive times are wonderful and moved me.
For readers like myself, the integration of life ideas with the original plot is an added plus. Overall, I thought the book was good and would recommend it to everyone.
I absolutely adored the book, however the elements that stood out to me the most were as follows:
Prose quality: The text's gloomy tone was achieved by the author's flawless word choice and usage of language. The book's writing is beautiful to read and is full of varied metaphors.
Character Sketching: I genuinely appreciated reading about the main characters' various feelings throughout the entire novel. They are all incredibly well-made and relatable.
Setting: Every single setting for the stories is exquisitely designed. The lake that serves as the setting for the novella ends up acting as a protagonist.
Theme and Dialogues: I liked how the author kept the book's sombre theme consistent throughout. It's difficult to keep up. The conversations during sensitive times are wonderful and moved me.
For readers like myself, the integration of life ideas with the original plot is an added plus. Overall, I thought the book was good and would recommend it to everyone.
October 17, 2023
In Turnback Creek, Lonnie Busch weaves a tale of hope despite tragedy, hardship, and the humdrum routine of everyday existence. It is a wonderful study of life that beautifully examines morality. The relationship between Cole Emerson and his daughter has deteriorated after the death of his wife, and he is about to lose his sole sister, Elsie. Cole Emerson is a retired heavy equipment operator. His sister's declining health and his ageing ambitions cause chaos in his life. Hearing about her aunt's condition Lily, Cole's estranged daughter, moves in with her father and aunt. She soon becomes concerned over Cole's frequent trips to see Hannah rather than taking care of Elsie in her last days. Because it offers hope amid loss and pain, this story is a rare gem. This story is a realistic illustration of how difficult it may be to understand the human mind when it is dealing with trauma and grief on a personal level.
Some of the reasons for which I can't stop thinking about Turnback Creek —
★ Its wonderful lustrous language makes the setting so so real that in my imagination I can feel the breeze of that lake or still recite some of those dialogues in my mind
★ This book has some unforgettable characters and their emotional moments. Cole, his daughter all are so so real to me. To me they are like my own relatives whom I can't lose at any cost.
★ I truly appreciate the use of certain metaphors in some of events to give it a literary texture. This has given the book and its events an edge.
★ I loved the dark gloomy atmosphere of the book that is in sync with the grief and struggle of the characters.
This one is a must read for every readers.
Some of the reasons for which I can't stop thinking about Turnback Creek —
★ Its wonderful lustrous language makes the setting so so real that in my imagination I can feel the breeze of that lake or still recite some of those dialogues in my mind
★ This book has some unforgettable characters and their emotional moments. Cole, his daughter all are so so real to me. To me they are like my own relatives whom I can't lose at any cost.
★ I truly appreciate the use of certain metaphors in some of events to give it a literary texture. This has given the book and its events an edge.
★ I loved the dark gloomy atmosphere of the book that is in sync with the grief and struggle of the characters.
This one is a must read for every readers.
October 14, 2023
With the use of stunning imagery and words, Lonnie Busch tells a narrative of desire and illusions set against love and forgiveness. The main character, Cole, has come to the neighbourhood to care for his ailing sister. Cole uses night fishing as a way to get free from the sick woman's cage and his own daughter's problems. Cole encounters a young girl, which causes his world to change to the lake and the night. As their relationship progresses, the reader learns more about Cole's family, his upbringing with his sister, and his lack of touch with his daughter. Cole finally makes a decision. Because of Mr. Busch's poetic writing style and dramatic portrayal of the mundane, this story has beauty and depth.
Despite the fact that this novella is a ghost story, there are no actual ghosts or paranormal events in it. The ghosts represent regret, bitterness, and youth that was abruptly abandoned. Similar to the weather in the South, the moods in this story is gloomy. The novella's world, narrative, and characters all convey the feeling of a broken soul. Throughout the writing, there is an unspoken scream of desire for the unreachable. The reader will undoubtedly experience it fully. Additionally, it offers six short stories that have the same aura and will keep you reading from start to finish. Can one find comfort and forgiveness in the midst of deep grief, is the topic posed in this beautiful book. I adored every moments with this book and every avid reader would be in love with it.
Despite the fact that this novella is a ghost story, there are no actual ghosts or paranormal events in it. The ghosts represent regret, bitterness, and youth that was abruptly abandoned. Similar to the weather in the South, the moods in this story is gloomy. The novella's world, narrative, and characters all convey the feeling of a broken soul. Throughout the writing, there is an unspoken scream of desire for the unreachable. The reader will undoubtedly experience it fully. Additionally, it offers six short stories that have the same aura and will keep you reading from start to finish. Can one find comfort and forgiveness in the midst of deep grief, is the topic posed in this beautiful book. I adored every moments with this book and every avid reader would be in love with it.
November 1, 2023
A literary gem...
"Turnback Creek: A Novella & Six Stories" by Lonnie Busch is a captivating collection that explores the complexities of human emotions and the enigmatic nature of life's twists and turns. At its heart is the novella "Turnback Creek." The novella takes us into the world of Cole Emerson, a retired heavy equipment operator who grapples with the weight of responsibility during the day, caring for his ailing sister Elsie. However, as night falls, he seeks solace in the quietude of Hardman Lake, where he casts his fishing line and immerses himself in contemplation. One evening, at Turnback Creek, he encounters a haunting teenage girl who awakens dormant desires and resurrects long-buried memories. What follows is a mesmerizing exploration of nostalgia, longing, and the reverberations of youth.
Accompanying this central narrative are six distinct stories, each with its own unique voice and perspective. Lonnie Busch's prose weaves a tapestry of emotions and experiences, offering readers an array of tales that are part ghost story, part love story, and all brimming with the poignant bite of loss, grief, and the possibility of redemption. This collection is a testament to the power of storytelling and its capacity to illuminate the intricacies of the human spirit. "Turnback Creek" is a literary gem that will resonate with those who appreciate stories that tug at the heartstrings while navigating the complex landscapes of existence. Highly recommended.
"Turnback Creek: A Novella & Six Stories" by Lonnie Busch is a captivating collection that explores the complexities of human emotions and the enigmatic nature of life's twists and turns. At its heart is the novella "Turnback Creek." The novella takes us into the world of Cole Emerson, a retired heavy equipment operator who grapples with the weight of responsibility during the day, caring for his ailing sister Elsie. However, as night falls, he seeks solace in the quietude of Hardman Lake, where he casts his fishing line and immerses himself in contemplation. One evening, at Turnback Creek, he encounters a haunting teenage girl who awakens dormant desires and resurrects long-buried memories. What follows is a mesmerizing exploration of nostalgia, longing, and the reverberations of youth.
Accompanying this central narrative are six distinct stories, each with its own unique voice and perspective. Lonnie Busch's prose weaves a tapestry of emotions and experiences, offering readers an array of tales that are part ghost story, part love story, and all brimming with the poignant bite of loss, grief, and the possibility of redemption. This collection is a testament to the power of storytelling and its capacity to illuminate the intricacies of the human spirit. "Turnback Creek" is a literary gem that will resonate with those who appreciate stories that tug at the heartstrings while navigating the complex landscapes of existence. Highly recommended.
November 17, 2023
Some books leave long lasting effect on us. Turnback Creek by Lonnie Busch is definitely one such book. Turnback Creek provides us with the feelings we need to go past our sorrow and hardship while illuminating hope. Cole Emerson's life was already in danger due to the passing of his wife and father when he switched to helping his ill sister. His already bad relationship with his daughter was made worse when she learned of his nighttime exploits. However, after encountering a naked, enigmatic girl in a lake, Cole Emerson's old desires have returned. The story sketches out how he handles his life in the midst of chaos and despair. There are also six other stories in the book. Like the novella, each is equally wonderful in concept and prose. All of those have a recurring theme of melancholy human life losses.
The characters in this novella provide a realistic portrait of a human soul in complete anguish. It's difficult to get over sadness and loss, and the author builds a wonderful melancholy tale around that theme. Six further stories continue the book's moody theme. I adored The Call of Tin in particular. It also symbolises how seeing a frightful creature can change a person's life. Through this book, Lonnie Busch demonstrates the decision between life and death. Despite depicting the tragic losses of human life, it glorifies life. The prosaic language is amazingly vivid to capture the emotional ups and downs of everyday reality. Everyone should read this book.
The characters in this novella provide a realistic portrait of a human soul in complete anguish. It's difficult to get over sadness and loss, and the author builds a wonderful melancholy tale around that theme. Six further stories continue the book's moody theme. I adored The Call of Tin in particular. It also symbolises how seeing a frightful creature can change a person's life. Through this book, Lonnie Busch demonstrates the decision between life and death. Despite depicting the tragic losses of human life, it glorifies life. The prosaic language is amazingly vivid to capture the emotional ups and downs of everyday reality. Everyone should read this book.
November 17, 2023
With a distinctive journey, Lonnie Busch demonstrates that loss and grief have the potential to alter the course of our life, in Turnback Creek. Turnback Creek bravely investigates the psychological dynamics of memory, imagination, emotion, shame, hope, and desire. Cole Emerson, a retired heavy equipment operator, just lost his wife, is about to lose his sole sister, and doesn't get along well with his daughter. I thought I had been introduced to a lonesome man with a cool, stony exterior and a strong sense of right and wrong that was tempered with pragmatism when I first met Cole, the protagonist. Cole has his previous passions smouldering in his mind when he encounters the enigmatic naked female. His position in life is changed as a result of these premature emotional upheavals, but his outlook on life is also modified.
I admired how skillfully the author penned such a fantastic and distinctive narrative. The author has masterfully crafted a lovely plot backdrop for this delightful voyage. The emotions of the characters are masterfully crafted. They are relatable and realistic. The main characters' perspectives on life are fascinating to observe. While reading, it gives heart to see life celebrated despite loss and suffering. It is impossible to dispute the book's magnificent metaphors' ability to make a lasting impression on the reader. I was in awe after reading this literary work for a while.
I admired how skillfully the author penned such a fantastic and distinctive narrative. The author has masterfully crafted a lovely plot backdrop for this delightful voyage. The emotions of the characters are masterfully crafted. They are relatable and realistic. The main characters' perspectives on life are fascinating to observe. While reading, it gives heart to see life celebrated despite loss and suffering. It is impossible to dispute the book's magnificent metaphors' ability to make a lasting impression on the reader. I was in awe after reading this literary work for a while.
September 21, 2023
Novellas and short stories are some of my favorite reads. When I’m struggling to get into a book or looking for some diversity in my reading, I always find myself turning to a short story collection. Author Lonnie Busch has delivered an exceptional assortment. Beginning with a fifteen-chapter novella and finishing with six additional stories of varying themes and antics, I was once again shown the power and enjoyment of this genre.
The beauty of storytelling is the imagery, emotion, and thought it provokes in all those who read them. While they can sometimes make us uncomfortable, or show us a darker side, they can also spark a deeper cognitive awareness of the strangers that surround us. Busch has crafted such vivid scenes and character thought in these stories, that he directly forces readers to think more profoundly. From an aging caregiver, to relationships, influence of fear and loss, and the impact of time, these stories will engage to the very last page.
Busch’s characters become fully engrossing despite the short time in which they engage with readers across the page. Short stories and novellas really test an author’s ability to craft scene, characters, and plot, and Busch has passed with flying colors! This may be my first encounter with Lonnie Busch’s writing, but I certainly hope it isn’t the last.
The beauty of storytelling is the imagery, emotion, and thought it provokes in all those who read them. While they can sometimes make us uncomfortable, or show us a darker side, they can also spark a deeper cognitive awareness of the strangers that surround us. Busch has crafted such vivid scenes and character thought in these stories, that he directly forces readers to think more profoundly. From an aging caregiver, to relationships, influence of fear and loss, and the impact of time, these stories will engage to the very last page.
Busch’s characters become fully engrossing despite the short time in which they engage with readers across the page. Short stories and novellas really test an author’s ability to craft scene, characters, and plot, and Busch has passed with flying colors! This may be my first encounter with Lonnie Busch’s writing, but I certainly hope it isn’t the last.
October 16, 2023
With the use of stunning imagery and words, Lonnie Busch tells a story of desire and fantasy set against love and forgiveness. The main character, Cole, has come to the region to care for his ailing sister. Cole uses night fishing to get free from the sick woman's burdens his own daughter's problems. When Cole meets a young girl, his reality changes to the lake and the night. As their relationship grows, the reader gains knowledge about Cole's family, his past with his sister, and his lack of touch with his daughter. Cole ultimately makes a decision. Because of Mr. Busch's poetic approach and dramatic handling of the mundane, this story has beauty and depth.
Along with the novella in this book, there are also some meaningful short pieces that I liked. The unique tone and lovely characterizations run across all of them. Celebration of life in the midst of loss and sadness recurs repeatedly to teach us not to give up easy. It teaches us the primary lesson of life, which is to move onward. The book's language and prose are exquisite and bright, which helps to create such a lovely environment. It's amazing how the novella's narrative technique weaves together all of the stories into a unified subject. Characters' emotional discourse is just excellent. The author is really successful in producing such a fantastic literary work. For all book enthusiasts, it is a must-read.
Along with the novella in this book, there are also some meaningful short pieces that I liked. The unique tone and lovely characterizations run across all of them. Celebration of life in the midst of loss and sadness recurs repeatedly to teach us not to give up easy. It teaches us the primary lesson of life, which is to move onward. The book's language and prose are exquisite and bright, which helps to create such a lovely environment. It's amazing how the novella's narrative technique weaves together all of the stories into a unified subject. Characters' emotional discourse is just excellent. The author is really successful in producing such a fantastic literary work. For all book enthusiasts, it is a must-read.
November 3, 2023
Lonnie Busch's Turnback Creek just made my day. What a lovely writing style. Let me tell you what the novella is all about. In order to take care of his sick sister, the main character, Cole, has moved to the area. Cole escapes the ill woman's suffocating reality and the issues with his own daughter by night fishing. Cole runs into a young girl, which changes his surroundings to the lake at night. More of Cole's family, his upbringing with his sister, and his lack of contact with his daughter are revealed to the reader as their connection develops. Cole ultimately settles on a choice. This novel has beauty and depth because of the poetic writing style of Mr. Busch and the dramatic portrayal of the everyday.
Some of the causes of my constant thoughts about Turnback Creek include:
Its beautiful, glossy language makes the surroundings seem so vivid that I can still recall some of the dialogue or feel the breath of the lake in my imagination.
This novel features a number of endearing characters and their moving moments. Cole and his daughter seem so genuine to me.
I genuinely admire how some of the events were given a literary aspect by the use of certain metaphors. Due to this, the book and its events have an advantage.
I adored the book's dreary, gloomy mood, which is in keeping with the pain. It's a must read book.
Some of the causes of my constant thoughts about Turnback Creek include:
Its beautiful, glossy language makes the surroundings seem so vivid that I can still recall some of the dialogue or feel the breath of the lake in my imagination.
This novel features a number of endearing characters and their moving moments. Cole and his daughter seem so genuine to me.
I genuinely admire how some of the events were given a literary aspect by the use of certain metaphors. Due to this, the book and its events have an advantage.
I adored the book's dreary, gloomy mood, which is in keeping with the pain. It's a must read book.
November 9, 2023
Turnback Creek by Lonnie Busch is a wonderful book that I have read recently.
I loved many a things in the book but most important ones to me are as follows ~
★ Along with the novella in this book, there are other noteworthy short pieces that I also found to be enjoyable. The common topic and lovely characterizations run through each of them.
★ The celebration of life in the midst of loss and sadness serves as a constant reminder to never give up easy. It teaches us the most important lesson in life: to keep moving forward.
★ The book's language and prose are exquisite and colourful, which helps to create such a lovely environment. It's amazing how the novella's narrative approach weaves together all the stories into a unified subject.
★ The sketching of characters in all the stories and the novella are just neat and relatable. Their feelings and emotions in emotional moments are very touchy. I just wanted to more about them. Their dialogues are crafted beautifully to suit their characters.
★ the ambience through out the book was dark and spooky, and I just loved that. The mystery and tension with that made me reading this one in just one sitting and that was great.
I enjoyed this book and think every other reader would do too.
I loved many a things in the book but most important ones to me are as follows ~
★ Along with the novella in this book, there are other noteworthy short pieces that I also found to be enjoyable. The common topic and lovely characterizations run through each of them.
★ The celebration of life in the midst of loss and sadness serves as a constant reminder to never give up easy. It teaches us the most important lesson in life: to keep moving forward.
★ The book's language and prose are exquisite and colourful, which helps to create such a lovely environment. It's amazing how the novella's narrative approach weaves together all the stories into a unified subject.
★ The sketching of characters in all the stories and the novella are just neat and relatable. Their feelings and emotions in emotional moments are very touchy. I just wanted to more about them. Their dialogues are crafted beautifully to suit their characters.
★ the ambience through out the book was dark and spooky, and I just loved that. The mystery and tension with that made me reading this one in just one sitting and that was great.
I enjoyed this book and think every other reader would do too.
November 17, 2023
This novella presents a ghost story, but there are no real ghosts or supernatural occurrences in it. The ghosts are youth abruptly cast aside, bitterness, and grief. The moods in this story hover over the reader like the wettest, muggiest of days, much like the weather in the South. The opening line is a masterpiece of foreshadowing - "The moon's reflection shattered when Cole's lure hit the water." The characters, prose and world in the novella all portrays this vibe of a shattered soul. The longing for unattainable comes like a unuttered scream throughout the text. The reader surely going to feel it completely. It also contains six short stories that has the same aura in them to hook you from the first to last page. It's a wonderful book that questions, Can one find solace and forgiveness in the depths of grief?
March 25, 2024
From the opening sentence, I felt a sense of foreboding. Cole, a 71 year old retiree, is fishing in the dead of night. He is there to escape the endless care of his sister, Elsie, terminally ill with a brain tumor. Add in the noise from shore of a piece of heavy- duty equipment, and the suspense is real. So many relationships unfold as the story continues. Cole and the 14 year old heavy-duty equipment operator, Cole and his estranged daughter and her family and his dying sister who has held a secret since she was 12. Are her ramblings real or just the babbling of a dying woman? This novella has a surreal quality with so many different facets to the narrative. Every reader will have a different take on this complex novella. Read it for yourself and draw your own conclusion.
July 30, 2023
Started reading, almost half way-Enjoying it so far very much!
Hope the last half is as good or better!
Hope the last half is as good or better!
August 30, 2023
A very odd collection of short stories with very abrupt and strange endings for most of them.
April 1, 2024
Enjoyable collection of stories
This is a nice collection of interesting stories that are all well-told. An engaging book that is well worth reading.
This is a nice collection of interesting stories that are all well-told. An engaging book that is well worth reading.
February 24, 2024
Pleasantly surprised by this collection of stories. I especially enjoyed reading the short stories. All a bit different. Definitely worth a read!
August 30, 2023
Turnback Creek was a novella about a man facing one of life's heartwrenching dilemmas: caring for a loved one, and although this man did what he 'was supposed' to do, as he'd done before, he wasn't immune to the powers of the mind and the blessings of diversion.
Busch captured the part of the human psyche that isn't talked about much, but we all know it's there. After giving of yourself, sometimes to the point of exhaustion, isn't it alright to have something just for yourself? But is it real? You decide.
Busch captured the part of the human psyche that isn't talked about much, but we all know it's there. After giving of yourself, sometimes to the point of exhaustion, isn't it alright to have something just for yourself? But is it real? You decide.
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