RANDOM WALK

Block, Lawrence

ISBN 10: 0312930925 / ISBN 13: 9780312930929

Published by Tom Doherty Associates, Inc., New York, 1988

About this Item

A stand-alone novel from this award-winning crime writer that, while it has crime genre elements also has more than a touch of science fiction and fantasy. It might be considered a contemporary fable. It begins in Oregon where a man named Guthrie decides to take a walk without knowing where he's going, or how far, or for how long. His only luggage is a small backpack. Wonderful things begin to happen as he walks and he begins to draw people to him, people who join the walk. There are problems to confront during the walk and decisions to be made. About Mark, for instance, who is a killer. A previous owner pasted the flaps of the dustjacket to the inside covers. However, the glue has dried out, releasing the flaps with no damage except light brown stains on the inside covers, the front end page, and the obverse side of the dj. O/w, text and boards are clean and unmarked, tight and square, not remaindered. The dj shows only a touch of surface and edgewear, no tears, no creasing or chipping, not price-clipped. A somewhat unusual work for Block.

Seller Inventory # 005096

Bibliographic Details

• Title: RANDOM WALK
• Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates, Inc., New York
• Publication Date: 1988
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0312930925
• ISBN 13: 9780312930929
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition, First Printing.
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Crime
  • Fantasy
  • Modern Novel

About this title

Synopsis

Guthrie embarks on an odyssey from his Oregon home eastward, drawing fellow pilgrims--including the murderous Mark--into their own journeys of discovery

Reviews

Block's latest novel is for New Age disciples or for readers interested in learning the tenets of the philosophy. Otherwise a "random walk" can be a tiresome journey. Guthrie Wagner, a bartender in Roseburg, Ore., hears a voice urging him to take a walk. The idea is so appealing that he quits his job, sells his car, and begins a trek toward the East though he has no specific destination. Along the way, Guthrie realizes he is almost starting life anew. He discovers that he has lost the urge to smoke, can walk miles effortlessly and is never cold when he sleeps outdoors. Guthrie's walk begins to appeal to others like Jody Ledbetter, a trucker who finds he has healing powers, and psychologist Sara Duskin, a blind visionary, and her son, Thom. Block ( When the Sacred Ginmill Closes ) intersperses the narrative with vignettes focusing on real estate investor Mark Adlon's obsessonkilling women. Of course Adlon is destined to join the walk. While Sara eventually explains to Guthrie the reason for their journey, the book contains no surprises. One wishes the author had channeled his positive energy elsewhere.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.