From the author of the bestselling Snow Falling on Cedars, comes The Other, a coming-of-age novel that presents two powerfully different visions of what it means to live a good life and the compromises that come with fulfillment.
John William Barry and Neil Countryman shared a love of the outdoors, trekking often into Washington’s remote backcountry where they had to rely on their wits—and each other—to survive. Soon after graduating from college, Neil sets out on a path that will lead him toward a life as a devoted schoolteacher and family man. But John William makes a radically different choice, dropping out of college and moving deep into the woods. When he enlists Neil to help him disappear completely, Neil finds himself drawn into a web of agonizing responsibility, deceit, and tragedy—one that will finally break open with a wholly unexpected, life-altering revelation.
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I have two examples of hermits in the Northwest woods…a Korean Vet named “Swampy” who lived approximately in Duvall and far-ranging hermit named John Michael who ranged from Burien to Bellingham, specializing in the north and a little east of Seattle. John Michael is your character, John William, to a tee. I wish we might communicate so that i could know if you know of John Michael. The likeness of John William to John Michael is almost uncanny…and my John Michael was very real with more amazing exploits than you can imagine. With whom else could i go to Woodland Park Zoo at 2:30 A.M.? I believe his remaining friends will recognize him in your book–that is how closely the Johns match. I have ranged the nighttime Seattle with John Michael and have seen the meadows behind Issaquah to the marsh south of Bellingham with this notable charcacter, and I would swear that your John is my John.
When I heard Guterson speak after the publication of “Snow Falling on Cedars,” he commented that he always starts with a premise, from which everything else follows. In that case it was something like the randomness of nature. Although I have several contenders for the premise underlying “The Other,” nothing really fits. If possible,I would like to know what that premise is before our book club discussion on Feb. 5.