In a small town, little is forgiven. Nothing is forgotten. How do you prove your innocence when the whole world is against you? Your friends avoid you, the school wants you gone, and someone wants you dead. Your only choice is to do the right thing or someone else may die.
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What can I say other than this is a must-read tale of a teenage farm boy in Iowa during the 1960s, when life in rural America was different than many lives today. The story is excellent - hard to read at times - filled with the consequences of one teenage decision that has some truly awful life-altering events for most of the characters. It is a tale as old as time - the desire for a young boy or girl to simply fit in, succumbing to peer pressure, and doing things for all the wrong reasons, then trying to correct those errors with the small-town lifestyle stacked against him.
At times I laughed. At times I cried. At times reading the book was heart-wrenching. Other times, I put the book down, as I felt some of the farm life details got in the way of the story. But the more I read and deeper inside the Preston family I dove, the more realistic these details were, the more developed the setting, which became a character in itself.
Be prepared. The book is filled with violence, which is well-written but often hard to handle. But the writer did an amazing job of offsetting the horrors with humor. The book contains abuse, rape, self-harm and bullying, which the author portrayed in a way that made the story real - one that truly described how women handled such matters in a time where men felt as if they could do whatever they pleased without any consequences.
I highly recommend this story. But be prepared for some moments when you just want to reach inside this tale and give a few characters a piece of your mind. This is what makes this book an excellent read. It is not for the faint of heart or for young audiences, despite the hilarity of the father and the two boys on the farm.
But it is a tale of a young boy who made one bad decision and works throughout the book to correct it.
The Outcast" by D. L. Whipple is a gripping and emotionally rich narrative that captivates from the first chapter. The story centers around Danny Prescott, a young man who becomes an outcast in his town after being falsely accused of a crime.
Whipple’s writing shines through in his character development and dialogue. Danny is portrayed with depth and sensitivity, allowing readers to empathize with his predicament as he navigates the fallout from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The author expertly creates a tense atmosphere where the stakes are high, making it difficult to put the book down as you root for Danny’s vindication.
What stands out in "The Outcast" is Whipple's ability to handle complex themes with grace. The narrative avoids unnecessary graphic details but still manages to evoke strong emotions related to reputation, community, and personal integrity. The pacing is spot on, ensuring that the story remains engaging without losing its impact.
Overall, "The Outcast" is a profound tale that resonates on multiple levels. It’s a powerful reminder of the fragility of reputation and the importance of compassion in the face of adversity. Highly recommended!