EAST OF THE HOLYLAND

By Bob Lind
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Hardcover, 347 pages
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EAST OF THE HOLYLAND
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From acclaimed singer/songwriter Bob Lind, a powerful novel of an artist's struggle to find his own unique voice. Summer, 1964. Denver folksinger Jory Durham is watching his world fall apart. His drinking is getting worse. He's dead broke. His best friend is leaving town. His relationship with his girlfriend is hanging by a thin thread. And a deranged fan is worming his way into Jory's life. But worst of all, the great folkmusic fad that filled the coffeehouses night after night is on the decline. To Jory, acoustic music was never a trend - it's what he lives for. It's taken him two years to work himself into the local folk-club circuit. Now these clubs are folding. But he may have a chance at redemption: A benefit concert to save The PSYCHE coffeehouse where he got his start. If he and his fellow musicians can just get the club back on its feet, folk music in the Mile-High City might thrive again. And maybe - just maybe - Jory will be able to continue to live his passion. The Music!
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May. 1, 2009 By hazzo_d
"East of the Holyland - Bob Lind"

I have just this minute finished reading the book.

Being a Lind fan, I more than likely had preconceptions, and even apprehensions - how much is autobiographical, how much is fantasy - how much is a bit of both? Will I be confronted by any of this?

And, of course, being a fan, will I be in a position to read and take it in without feeling unbiased, or without risking any preformed judgements of this artist's essence...?

Well, let me tell you...it's a great book - in style, in subject matter, in continuity - the initial blank canvas is touched from corner to corner with scene-setting description -(time, place,... More > character introduction), which forms the backdrop for twists of circumstances, captured in a short timeframe -a sea of circumstances.

The main character (not intended to be, nor ever achieving "hero" status) at first puts himself to us as being somewhat confident of being in control of his "situation", - however, as the sea of circumstances washes over him his uncertainty with his own reactions,- much less those of others, - piles brick after brick on him and the world he knows -the papered-over cracks reappear...

This time snapshot (although chronologically displayed,is still, to me, not unlike Lind's classic song "Mr. Zero").

I won't fall into the trap of debating real vs fantasy, but I will say that there's an evident insightfulness (an artist's ability?) which results in credible storytelling.

I'll end by saying that the main character, Jory Durham, lets us in to his inner self - demon/angel/mere mortal - but remains determined to stay faithful to his beliefs - his Music. (He would have been a great mate to have - but you wouldn't like your sister to fall for him! - AND, who of us hasn't had/has mates like that?! )

_________________
Danny Harris
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Feb. 28, 2009 By Terry Smith
"EAST OF THE HOLYLAND by Bob Lind"
I finished reading Bob’s book a week or so ago and thought I’d share just a couple of thoughts.

A couple of caveats:

• I don’t review books for a living, so my comments are personal, not professional. Take ’em for what they’re worth.
• I’m a long-time fan of Bob’s and, therefore, lost all objectivity some time ago.

I have to admit I found it impossible to read without hearing Bob’s voice throughout. In the introduction he mentions that it is the most biographical novel he’s written, so I guess that’s understandable. However, a part of me wishes I could have been handed the book without... More > any way of identifying the author. I might be able to be more objective (for my sake, not this review’s).

I found it to be a “sneaky-good” read. The plot and characters are not terribly complex, but after several pages you realize that the narrative is making you work harder (i.e., read and think) than the story line might suggest… and it carries throughout the entire book. Bob’s writing is every bit as strong in prose and dialog form as it is in lyric form.

The characters are interesting and a few of them are really quite enjoyable to meet and consider (e.g., Wesley and Bagel). I particularly liked the consistency, honesty and laying bare of protagonist Jory Durham’s character even if, in the process, he comes across as an emotional - and sometimes physical - thug. (He’s really quite insufferable, even though occasionally sprinkled with a bit of rogue, and sure isn’t someone for whom I found myself rooting.) But he’s consistent to the end and there is no 11th hour epiphany, which was refreshing.

I’m sure that it’s a pretty accurate recollection of what the Denver folk scene was like at the time, which was fun for me, personally, to read about. Being from New England, I always assumed no folk music existed outside of Cambridge and the Village. I never thought or knew anything about other folk pockets.

Would I recommend it? Of course. It’s thoughtful. It’s raw. It’s interesting. It’s honest. It’s unapologetic. It’s well written. It’s Lind.

Enjoy.



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Product Details

Copyright LindLyfe Publishing (Standard Copyright License)
Edition Standard Print Edition
Publisher LindLyfe Publishing
Published February 2, 2009
Language English
Pages 347
 
Binding Hardcover (dust-jacket)
Interior Ink Black & white
Dimensions (inches) 6.0 wide × 9.0 tall

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