The Absent Traveler
A Novella and Other Stories
by Randall DeVallance
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Pub Date Dec 01 2010 | Archive Date Sep 01 2012
Description
Charles Lime eats, breathes, and sleeps the romantic idea of leaving Small Town USA, wandering the globe, and “having grand adventures laced with the danger and lustiness of exotic climes.” In reality, Charles, a twenty-something college graduate, walks the drab city streets of Western Pennsylvania, dazed and bemused--a dreamy misfit bewitched by a girl and bewildered by a string of misfortunes.
Combined with a dose of Dad’s verbal assaults, the drunken landlady’s late-night sexual harassment, and the apocalyptic messages of a pamphlet-pushing, religious zealot, Charles falls off the deep end. As he retreats further into his imagination, where he creates a parallel life filled with adventure overseas and Serbian pop music, Charles’ departure via mind travel becomes his panacea. Whether he can find his way back to the only place he has ever known becomes an altogether different matter.
About the Author
Randall DeVallance is the author of the short novel, Dive (2004), and the short-story collection, Sketches of Invalids (2007). His stories have appeared in several anthologies and more than 30 print and online publications including McSweeney’s, Pindeldyboz, Eyeshot, Vestal Review, and Word Riot. He lives in New York City.
Combined with a dose of Dad’s verbal assaults, the drunken landlady’s late-night sexual harassment, and the apocalyptic messages of a pamphlet-pushing, religious zealot, Charles falls off the deep end. As he retreats further into his imagination, where he creates a parallel life filled with adventure overseas and Serbian pop music, Charles’ departure via mind travel becomes his panacea. Whether he can find his way back to the only place he has ever known becomes an altogether different matter.
About the Author
Randall DeVallance is the author of the short novel, Dive (2004), and the short-story collection, Sketches of Invalids (2007). His stories have appeared in several anthologies and more than 30 print and online publications including McSweeney’s, Pindeldyboz, Eyeshot, Vestal Review, and Word Riot. He lives in New York City.
Advance Praise
Praise for The Absent Traveler
“The ending will give the reader much pause for thought and the final outcome you will have to determine for yourself… [These are] stories that really make the reader think and will definitely elicit much discussion and varied viewpoints. Great for book clubs and discussion groups.” - Fran Lewis, author of My Name Is Bertha, Bertha Speaks Out, and Bertha Fights Back
“The appearance of this fully mature novella (accompanied by eight superb short stories) is sure to place this young writer in an upward direction career-wise. This is prose at its finest, startlingly well sculpted and completely compelling…This is brilliant writing!” - Grady Harp, Amazon.com Top Reviewer
“This novella simply exudes talent from its pages…Charles Lime will become very “real” to the reader, something that doesn’t happen often in a work of this sort. His character is so well developed I felt like he was some poor, tortured soul I’ve met in my travels somewhere in a Best Buy or Wal-Mart where well educated people like Charles often find themselves replacing their lives with drudgery in exchange for a few beers and an occasional package of cookies.” - Deb Fowler, National Book Critics Circle member
“[DeVallance's characters are] distinct, interesting, and realistic…[his] writing is easy to read, artful” - Erinreads.com
“The ending will give the reader much pause for thought and the final outcome you will have to determine for yourself… [These are] stories that really make the reader think and will definitely elicit much discussion and varied viewpoints. Great for book clubs and discussion groups.” - Fran Lewis, author of My Name Is Bertha, Bertha Speaks Out, and Bertha Fights Back
“The appearance of this fully mature novella (accompanied by eight superb short stories) is sure to place this young writer in an upward direction career-wise. This is prose at its finest, startlingly well sculpted and completely compelling…This is brilliant writing!” - Grady Harp, Amazon.com Top Reviewer
“This novella simply exudes talent from its pages…Charles Lime will become very “real” to the reader, something that doesn’t happen often in a work of this sort. His character is so well developed I felt like he was some poor, tortured soul I’ve met in my travels somewhere in a Best Buy or Wal-Mart where well educated people like Charles often find themselves replacing their lives with drudgery in exchange for a few beers and an occasional package of cookies.” - Deb Fowler, National Book Critics Circle member
“[DeVallance's characters are] distinct, interesting, and realistic…[his] writing is easy to read, artful” - Erinreads.com
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9870984510528 |
| PRICE | 12.95 |
| PAGES | 186 |
