I'll Never Be Long Gone: A Novel

By Thomas Christopher Greene

Book Overview

On a brisk autumn night, Charles Bender Sr. walks into the woods behind his idyllic Vermont home with a shotgun and forever changes the lives of his two sons.

Charlie and Owen Bender are brothers and know each other better than they will ever know anyone. They are able to sit in silence and not speak, yet know exactly what the other is thinking. But fate, destiny, and a cryptic note can change even the closest of friendships.

In this note, Charles leaves the one thing that matters most to him -- his restaurant -- only to Charlie. To Owen, he leaves instructions to follow his own path, wherever it may take him.

On the serene banks of the Dog River, in the lush green countryside of Eden, Vermont, Charlie builds a life for himself that mimics the life his father threw away years before. He's happy enough running his father's restaurant and his only real regret is the absence of his brother. Once close, Charlie and Owen have not seen each other for years -- the ties of brotherhood torn apart by the strange legacy Charles Sr. had left them.

Charlie's is a solitary existence until he hires Claire Apple to assist him in the restaurant. They begin a passionate affair and, in Claire, Charlie feels he has found his reason for living. The two marry, but Charlie still longs for a relationship with his estranged brother.

Years later, when Owen, like the prodigal son, returns unannounced, Charlie feels his life is finally complete. But while Charlie opens his life and his home to his wayward brother, Claire is hesitant in accepting her brother-in-law into her family. She realizes Owen is harboring hidden resentment and jealousy for the life he could have had.

I'll Never Be Long Gone is a deeply felt novel about love, family, duplicity, heartbreak, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of rural Vermont and the drama of its seasons, it offers a rare glimpse into restaurant life, with vivid descriptions of cooking that rivals the best of American food writing. With evocative and lyrical language, it explores the terrain of the human heart, and reaffirms the power of love to transform lives.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060765801
• ISBN13: 9780060765804
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: William Morrow
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

perfectly balanced

I'll Never Be Long Gone is Greene's second novel after the subtle and excellent Mirror Lake. I'll Never Be Long Gone is a gem of a book and Greene manages to seamlessly balance an intriguing story of familial bonds and betrayal with fluid and beautifully cadenced prose. Comparisons to books like Plainsong or Peace Like a River are well deserved. While the subject matter of Greene's novel differs his story does share the same sensibilities and he succeeds in creating the same depth in his characters. Greene is also a master of smaller moments, those scenes or passages that build the characters without ever seeming anecdotal. There are numerous paragraphs that beg to be read over and over for their skill and fluidity. The restaurant /culinary dimension of the novel radiates throughout, anchors it to some extent but never takes the edge off of this powerful and biblical tale. Greene has delivered on the promise of Mirror Lake and leaves me wondering what he'll do next. Whatever it is, I'll be hitting the bookstore as soon as it's released.

A writer of promise

I'll Never Be Long Gone demonstrates Mr. Greene's steady progress as a novelist. His characters are well developed, and he shows considerable creativity and power in his use of descriptive language. The subtext of cooking I found particularly enjoyable, and it imbued the work with passion and detail. My one regret came at the conclusion. I wished there had been more closure to the relationships. Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. I am looking forward to Mr. Greene's next novel.

(...) cookin' in northern Vermont

Dottie is dotty. Off her nut. This is a magnificent piece of fiction; Greene's masterful brushstrokes paint a rich portrait of one of the most beautiful parts of the world, and into this scene he weaves complex, if not horny, characters in the classic romantic/tragic mold. The Washington Post reviewer is clearly a frustrated (unpublished) author with too-ready access to a thesaurus. I am recommending this book to anyone who will listen. 5 stars, dottie. Snap!

Another perfect vision of Vermont

Mr. Greene's second novel shares many similarities with his first effort. His writing is poetic and compelling and his themes of love, betrayal, and understanding resonate throughout. This time around, Greene has created a wonderfully believeable setting in a samll restaurant where much of the drama occurs. He achieves a great deal through his dramatic descriptions of setting, and his cooking scenes literally made my mouth water. He describes the ruggedness and beauty of the Vermont landscape like few before him. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to more work from this gifted young novelist.

a moving, lyrical novel

Green writes beautifully about love and loss, family, food, and the hills of Vermont. Reminded me of PLAINSONG with its understated language and the strong sense of character. One of the best novels I've read this year.