Hope's Last Run

By Bruce Glikin

'Hope's Last Run' is the story of a woman who fights seemingly unsurmountable odds in her quest to become the world's greatest female marathon runner. Coached by a controversial man who is at odds... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0966345843
• ISBN13: 9780966345841
• Release Date: November 2008
• Publisher: Amber Fields Publishing
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Amazing running story

Echoing another reviewer, I have to admit that I'm not a runner but I sure got caught up in the tension and story of the characters' training, psychology, strategies, and the outcomes of the races. In particular, I liked how the author interwove the biographies of classic women runners into the story -- this gave depth and perspective to the challenges in front of Hope as she grows in strength of character and develops her natural talents. A good, quick read with exciting races, interesting twists, and a realistic, mature relationship.

Solidly Enjoyable Read

Not being a runner, I bought this book on a whim. What a bit of luck. This short novel is full of fascinating information about running, racing, training and strategy. As much as enjoyed learning all this "inside running stuff", what sneaks up on you is what a great relationship novel this is. The back stories of Frank and Hope hook you and you really want to know how it is all going to turn out. Which brings up the ending, which I won't spoil for you in my review, but BUY this book, because, like all great races it ends with a terrific and unforgettable finish.

what they said

No one writes about running like Bruce Glikin:he knows firsthand how we chase our hopes, dreams and the ghosts of our past. In Hope's Last Run he chronicles running prodigy Hope Spencer from her start at the Houston Marathon, to Boston, and finally in her Olympic qualifying marathon in New York. Published to new heights by her coach Frank Adams, who is part Arthur Lydiard, part Bill Bowerman, Hope's Last Run will have you turning pages as she flies down the final stretch in Central Park. Brom Hoban running correspondent Austin American Statesman Hope's Last Run is extremely intense and strong Coach Frank Adams is terriffic and so is his protege Hope Spencer. They're both pure dreamers. The novel had elements that reminded me of Clint Eastwood's classic film with Hilary Swank, 'Million Dollar Baby'. Glikin's runners are a mirror of what runners are really like: free spirits and highly romantic. Every marathoner will love this book and understand it! Bill Rodgers America's distance running legend Once again, Bruce Glikin mounts the literary dais for his dramatic cliff-hanger running novel: 'Hope's Last Run. Combined with the artful blending of supernaural elements with exciting and suspenseful distance running action, Glikin's coach/teacher expertise is revealed through his superbly written novel. This is a must read for all who dream and hope. Al Lawrence Olympic medalist, author and coach

Good things come in three's

Good things come in three's! Bruce Glikin, Houston's own running novelist, has completed round three in his continuing series of running novels. As a followup to Bruce's previous running novels, Slinger Sanchez Running Gun and Distant Runner, Bruce has done himself proud with his latest, Hope's Last Run. Hope's Last Run revolves around the relationship between Frank Adams, a grizzled, middle-aged running coach, and Hope Spencer, a thirty-something new runner seeking an outlet from a life of torment. We watch while Hope's running prowess grows and matures, Frank loses some (but not all) of his rough edges, and the relationship between the two blossoms. We learn in depth about the family backgrounds, political views, and life philosophies of each. Bruce focuses on character development in Hope's Last Run to a far greater extent than in his first two running novels. In fact, other than brief glimpses of Hope's husband, Frank and Hope are essentially the only characters in the book. We've seen characters quite similar to Frank in Bruce's previous novels, but Hope represents a new challenge for him. She's his first female lead character. Bruce advises in his acknowledgements that she's a composite of the female runners he's known and run with over the years. As a result, Hope's Last Run is the softest of the three novels. The story is gripping and the ending surprising and satisfying, but the high levels of mystery, sex and violence that permeate the first two novels are strongly reduced (although not completely eliminated) in Hope's Last Run. On the other hand, the use of the Houston running scene as a backdrop for the book, one of Bruce's trademarks, is more prevalent than ever. Hope competes in the Houston Marathon, Run the Woodlands 5k, and Bellaire Trolley Run 5k. She trains at Memorial Park and along Buffalo Bayou. Bruce, er, Frank takes some gentle swipes at some of the sacred cows of Houston running, including the running club scene and been-there-done-that marathon training programs. Bruce's characters are always larger than life running-wise, and Frank and Hope are no exceptions. Watch out Geb and Deena! Even though they both build running credentials that border on the incredible, it's all good fun and heightens the entertainment value of the novel.