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500 Miles (2013)

by Parker Williams(Favorite Author)

3.96 of 5 Votes: 4

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

MLR Press

review 1: 4.5 starsThere are in this world a select few who find the person they love at a very early age. This I know to be true as I had an aunt who married at 16 and remained so for the next 53 years until her husband passed away--they were devoted to each other. And so, the idea that young Mark could meet, fall in love and then maintain that same level of emotion for Jase over a span of several years is a plausible idea that takes wing in Parker Williams's new short story, 500 Miles.What worked in this sweet sip of a story? Most nearly everything. When Mark first meets his brother Eric's friend, there is an instant stirring, something that rapidly moves beyond a boyhood crush into an awareness that each day is made a little bit better for Mark because Jase happens to be in it... more. Jase also feels the attraction, but wisely backs aways from it, trying his best to put needed distance between himself and the underaged Mark. Fate intervenes by deploying both Eric and Jase to Kuwait and it is there that Jase realizes that Mark is so deeply involved with him that he feels, for Mark's sake, he must take drastic steps to turn Mark away--even though it will nearly break his own heart in the process.As Mark attempts to move on, to deny his feelings, events take place that will leave Jase needing Mark in such a way that he will be forced to decide if he can forgive the man he still loves and convince Jase that they are meant to be together.500 Miles is a short story that packs the heat and wallop of a longer novella. In the span of mere pages, the author is able to give us an in-depth glimpse into what makes his main character tick, the angst, the emotional awkwardness, the tenacity of a determined teenager is deftly presented. Mark is utterly believable and he draws you into his world and allows you to experience all his joys and, yes, his deep pain and sorrow.It is difficult to write a really fine short story, to reveal a chapter in a person's life in a way that the reader comes away feeling that they truly know the characters and are concerned for their plight. Newcomer Parker Williams does just that in 500 Miles. His pacing throughout most of the book was spot on, moving rapidly through several years, yet giving us a good sense of how the characters were changing and growing. It is only near the end, that I felt the story faltered just a bit.The last few pages were critical to the future that we so desperately wanted for Mark and Jase to have. It was here that I felt the push forward sacrificed much needed time to fully wrap up the story. Simply put, I felt that Mr. Williams had just a bit more to tell us and opted instead pushed ahead, making the ending just a bit too easy and, in doing so, sacrificing the believability this final plot point deserved. Consequently for the first and only time, I felt that the story lacked a bit of credibility. However, this was a minor element--yes, an important one, but overall the scope and beauty of this story was not diminished. The rest of this book was so strong and so well developed that this last bit merely frustrated me because I wanted more, more time to see these two mend the rift that had occurred in their relationship.
review 2: “500 Miles” by Parker Williams is an amazing story of first love amid the tragedy of war. The story grabbed me from the beginning and lead me to a happy and satisfactory ending. Thank you Parker for this remarkable story.Now in regards to the person who so many years ago tried to squelch your dreams of becoming a writer by saying your writing was no good. Well, I beg to differ. Your writing is truly, truly good. I am so glad that you decided to take another chance. Your gift and talent means so much to me and I’m sure others.Keep going Will. Do what you love and be confident that there are those who appreciate your efforts. I look forward to many more stories from you. less

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