South of Bixby Bridge in Q&A with Ryan Winfield

Jan 25, 2013 Nancy Silk rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This story is told well and written well even without quotation marks -- one gets used to it. But, a boy who has a tough beginning, grows to be successful in the investment field, only to succumb to alcohol and drugs is depressing. After going through detox program, Trevor is penniless without a job. But is enticed into a lucrative investment business where he caves in to alcohol and drugs again by a wealthy, conniving boss with no morals. The story keeps one engrossed just to see how Trevor get ...more

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Aug 26, 2013 Molly rated it really liked it

I read Jane's Melody and was so moved by it I had to read this book too. The two books could not be more different. If they weren't both so well written, I would not expect them to have been penned by the same person.

South of Bixby Bridge is written in first person present; what I consider one of the most difficult styles for writing a story. For me it usually comes across as stiff and unnatural. Not so with this novel. I felt like I was seeing this story unfold in real time through Trevor's eye I read Jane's Melody and was so moved by it I had to read this book too. The two books could not be more different. If they weren't both so well written, I would not expect them to have been penned by the same person.

South of Bixby Bridge is written in first person present; what I consider one of the most difficult styles for writing a story. For me it usually comes across as stiff and unnatural. Not so with this novel. I felt like I was seeing this story unfold in real time through Trevor's eyes. However, I also felt removed from the telling, as though Trevor himself was watching his own life unfold. Until Trevor could connect with his trauma and understand his own damage, he was removed from the life he was choosing to live and the choices he was making.

We first meet Trevor as he is coming out of a 28 day rehab center. He is almost 30, has been a well to do hedge fund manager who lived a fast life until he lost it all. Once he loses his job, he spends the last of what he has drinking and doing drugs until he almost kills himself. Of course, once out of rehab, he almost immediately hooks up with a wealthy, morally bankrupt high roller and his wife, and find himself in a world of alcohol, drugs, sex and blackmail. The world spirals out of control while the reader waits to see if Trevor will hit his rock bottom and find any redemption.

It was hard to care about Trevor and yet hard to not care about him. While he seems to mostly lack a moral compass, something inside keeps pulling Trevor back from stepping off the edge. He does a lot of really crappy things, but still has enough conscience to know what he is doing is wrong. The money is great, but it doesn't get back the girl he really loves. He runs with high rollers, wears fancy clothes, spends money on drugs and high end call girls but still feels nothing. It takes a long time for Trevor to hit bottom...a long time! It's gruesome and agonizing and just when you are sure you have hit Trevor's bottom, he sinks a little farther. For as long as the decent takes, the story is not quickly rapped up with a tidy happy ending in a bow. Instead we get to journey back to human with Trevor. Considering all I had just gone through with Trevor, I felt like I earned his journey back too.

Once again, Ryan Winfield has written an excellent examination of the human condition, warts and all. The characters are not likable, even the hero much of the time is not very likable, but the characters don't seem contrived. As morally bankrupt as these people are, they are not far from real stories you read in the news. In other reviews I have read there is a comparison made to 50 Shades. I'm not sure why, the stories are not remotely alike and if you are expecting an erotic story, this is not it. There is a lot of sex that happens, but it is barely detailed and is less than titillating. It is mostly glossed over in Trevor's drug fueled haze.

If you are looking for erotica, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a moving story about the frailty of being human, you will find it in Trevor's journey. ...more

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Jun 25, 2012 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

South of Bixby Bridge grabs your insides and takes you screaming along with lightening-fast intensity until the end... when you can finally breathe again. Ryan Winfield pours heart and soul into the story of Trevor and you can't help but connect with him on so many levels. I must say I fell in love as I was reading! Deeply emotional and unabashedly frank... wonderful storytelling by a tremendously talented writer. I highly recommend this book and just can't wait to read the next one! ...more

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Aug 27, 2013 Martine rated it it was amazing

Ok so I really love jane's melody. But I think I like this one better. It's dark and hard at moment to read, but so true. Ryan describe addiction and fall down so good, you really feel for Trevor. A guy who start with nothing, then has everything screw up again and finished with nothing. You feel for him, from safeness, lost and try to find himself. I almost wish it can be a sequel to this one. Now I can't wait for the next book. Ryan you have a gift for writing. ...more

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Aug 21, 2012 Theresa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was a great book! I started reading it on a Monday morning with my breakfast and stayed up until 12:30 am Tuesday until I finished. I just couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what happened to Trevor next. Although I know Ryan's next book is not about Trevor and his travels South of Bixby Bridge - I do hope to read a sequel someday. ...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Brigett Scott rated it really liked it

I loved this book. Trevor is a great character and I wanted him to be okay from the beginning. Even when he did things that would make me not like him, I still did. Great Job. The descriptions of emotions, people, and places were just so beautifully written. The words were so lush and vivid that I couldn't put the book down. ...more

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Jun 22, 2012 Linda rated it liked it

An ad for this book popped up on FB and it was one of the cheaper e-books. It is well written (especially compared to Fifty Shades of Grey that I had just finished when I got this book), though a bit predictable.

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Jun 27, 2012 Janie rated it it was amazing

It was amazing; loved the surreal-ness of the drug use and of course the sex/drugs/rock n roll. I loved the flaws in the main character and of course his eventual redemption.

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Jun 27, 2012 Julie Dalglish rated it it was amazing

not my normal type of book but i really enjoyed it and i look forward to ryan's future books ...more

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Oct 03, 2012 Amanda rated it it was amazing

An amazing book I cant wait till this author comes out with another book.

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Jun 14, 2012 Patty rated it it was amazing

South of Bixby Bridge grabbed me from the first page, sucked me in and kept me on the edge of my seat until well after the last page. You will NOT be disappointed in this book. I HIGHLY recommend it!!! Especially if you love stories of hardship and redemption. A MUST read!

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Jun 24, 2012 Carey rated it it was amazing

Pretty good--easy read

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May 07, 2013 Elizabeth Simpson rated it really liked it

A very good first book about a troubled young man, I enjoyed going with him on his journey back from the depths and cheered him on until the end.
Mr Winfield certainly has a way with words and managed to keep me turning the pages which is no mean feat so well done.

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