Madness for a moment – and then follows flight: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/b...

At the center is Dan Lambert, a Vietnam veteran who is struggling in times of economic crisis. There are almost no engagements for his carpentry skills. His ex-wife and child live elsewhere after problems with post-traumatic stress from the war in the jungle. And he passively accepts the blows of fate, including the fact that he is suffering from a terminal cancer as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. But the cup overflows when he learns at the bank that he has to hand over the only thing that is left to him, his pickup truck. Lambert falls into a wild rage for a short time and in the subsequent chaos kills a person. He starts to flee, and on his heels are both the authorities and the bank's senior management, who distort the incident and announce a huge reward for his head, as well as a colorful bounty hunter with three hands, which are useful not only in poker games.

Publisher "East-West"
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/b...

The original article seems to be very short or perhaps just a link. Without more specific content, I'll create a sample expansion for you:

**"Gone South"**

Have you ever wondered what it means to "go south"? This phrase has multiple interpretations. It could refer to physically traveling in a southern direction. Maybe someone is leaving their hometown and heading south for a new adventure, to explore different cultures, landscapes, and opportunities.

On the other hand, "gone south" can also have a more figurative meaning. It might imply that a situation has taken a turn for the worse. For example, a business deal that was once promising has now "gone south," meaning it has failed or become unprofitable. Or a relationship that was going well has suddenly "gone south," perhaps due to misunderstandings or conflicts.

Wow! Just. Plain. WOW!

Show me what it’s like
To dream in black and white
So I can leave this world tonight.

Breaking Benjamin – UNKNOWN SOLDIER

There is truly nothing fair about war. Gone are the bygone days when soldiers were led into battle by their fearless leader. In the final analysis, nobody emerges victorious, at least not those who engage in the actual fighting on the ground. When it comes to patriotism, as George Orwell so aptly put it, some countrymen are more equal than others.

War has a profound impact on people, and most individuals who have never endured it cannot even begin to comprehend the sacrifices and horrors that war entails. The real heroes are not only those who fought bravely but also anyone who can return from war and manage to put it behind them. In the most dire circumstances, certain things must be done for survival, and much like childbirth, it may be a miracle, but it is never, ever pleasant.

Don't misunderstand me; I am not a pacifist, but I am also realistic about the living nightmare that war must be. I have been praying for countless years that I will be able to live out my life without having to experience it. War truly terrifies me, even more so since I became a father.

People still hold diverse opinions regarding the Vietnam War – this review is not about that, but the main character in this story fought in that war.

Dan Lambert, a Vietnam veteran, was a dedicated soldier who did his duty for his country. Now living on borrowed time with leukemia, he has lost almost everything: his family, his job, and now the bank intends to repossess his truck.

When a confrontation with the loan officer at the bank culminates in murder, Dan flees.

Then there is the other side of the coin. Flint Murtaugh is an experienced bounty hunter, and he pursues Dan, but he has to take a new recruit, Pelvis Eisley, along with him to learn the ropes. Oh yes, did I mention that Pelvis is an Elvis impersonator and Flint is a Siamese twin with... wait, I'm just going to make it sound absurd – McCammon can pull it off, but I can't.

The portrayal of the two bounty hunters provides some comic relief, but not to a ridiculous extent, more like something you would anticipate from Carl Hiaason. And the character development is so excellent that you find yourself sympathizing with them as much as with Dan. They are not villains in this story, even though you end up rooting for Dan.

And Dan meets a girl, Arden Halliday, who has a disfiguring birthmark on her face and also needs to head south in what can only be described as a far-fetched fantasy that can only lead to disappointment.

There is such a perfect equilibrium between the drama, action, and comedy in this story that you can't help but race through it.

This story was PERFECT for me because I can't think of a single aspect that could enhance this novel. It elicits all the right emotions at precisely the right moments. And I can recommend it to almost anyone because reading this was an unforgettable experience.

Czyli to dlatego jest tyle zachwytów nad autorem, wow.

It means that this is the reason why there is so much excitement about the author. Wow!

Now I understand everything!

This statement seems to imply that there is something remarkable about the author that has generated a great deal of enthusiasm.

Perhaps the author has achieved something significant, such as writing a best-selling book, creating a revolutionary work of art, or making a major scientific discovery.

The use of "wow" expresses a sense of惊叹 and admiration.

It is as if the speaker has just had a moment of enlightenment and realizes the true value and importance of the author.

This newfound understanding may lead to a deeper appreciation and respect for the author's work.

Overall, this short passage conveys a sense of excitement and discovery related to the author.

A disappointing read after having read a couple of other books by this author.

The storyline of "Bright Girl" was completely inane. It lacked depth and substance, failing to engage my interest from the very beginning. The ideas presented seemed rather juvenile and unoriginal.

I had high hopes for this book, especially after being impressed by some of the author's previous works. However, this one truly missed the mark. It felt like a rushed and half-hearted attempt.

Perhaps it's just a matter of personal taste, but for me, "Bright Girl" was not my cup of tea. I found myself skimming through the pages, eager to finish it and move on to something more fulfilling.

Overall, I was left disappointed and would not recommend this book to others. There are far better reads out there that can offer a more engaging and satisfying literary experience.

Although I seem to recall enjoying a previous novel by this author, long before joining Goodreads, I'm afraid that wasn't the case with this book.

The beginning was very promising. The Vietnam veteran, who has fallen on hard times (the story is set in 1991), is reduced to waiting around in punishing heat in a remote area outside town, hoping that someone will offer him work. But when he gets home from another day without an offer, a letter awaits from the bank threatening to impound his car. Without that, he can't reach any jobs he is offered. So he goes to the bank to beg for more time to make a payment. However, the man who used to cut him some slack has been 'let go' himself and a ruthless replacement installed. Things play out badly, and the next thing he knows, he is on the run with a fifteen thousand dollar reward on his head.

So far so good, but then it all 'went south' from there with the introduction of a couple of peculiar bounty hunters. One has an embedded twin in his chest, and the other is a not very good Elvis impersonator with a lapdog. The story became increasingly unconvincing and roped in just about every cliche of American Gothic. The final action shoot-em-up, reminiscent of a low budget movie, was quite well written. But I found most of the characters one dimensional and the whole thing very predictable apart from the slightly odd ending. So I can only rate this as a 2-star OK read.

McCammon has once again shown his remarkable talent.

His character work is simply impeccable, with every character being developed in such a detailed and engaging way. The story he has crafted is equally outstanding, flowing smoothly from start to finish.

I would never have imagined in a million years that I could have such a deep love for a story where one of the main characters is an Elvis impersonator. But here I am, completely captivated by it.

This book truly deserves 5 stars without a doubt. It makes me wonder if there is anything that this talented man, McCammon, cannot do. His writing skills seem to know no bounds, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

I absolutely love this book. It is not just a simple read; it's a captivating blend of drama and comedy, encompassing everything in between. McCammon has an extraordinary talent for writing the unbelievable and making the reader wholeheartedly believe every single word. His main character is undeniably flawed, far from the typical portrait of a hero. Instead, he is a survivor, someone who manages to gain the reader's sympathy and loyalty right from the start. The characters in this book are truly incredible, each with their own unique personalities and quirks. The plot is nothing short of crazy, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. And the ending? It is highly satisfying, tying up all the loose ends in a way that leaves you feeling fulfilled. This book is pure fun, fun, fun! It's a page-turner that you won't be able to put down until you've reached the very last page.

This review does not contain either a synopsis of the story or any spoilers.

First and foremost, Robert McCammon is an absolutely wonderful storyteller. His book "Gone South" kept my interest firmly from the very beginning all the way to the end. In fact, it was often extremely difficult to put down. It's important to note that this book is not a horror story, unlike most of McCammon's works. However, it does feature some rather freaky characters. There's a bounty hunter with a significant physical deformity, which adds an element of intrigue. Then there's a non-stop jabbering, reasonably inept Elvis impersonator who provides a touch of humor and oddity. The plot of the book is cleverly crafted and has just the right number of twists to keep the reader thoroughly engaged. The final twist is brilliantly executed, neatly finishing off the book and leaving a lasting impression.

"Gone South" is the first of McCammon's books that I have read. After experiencing this captivating tale, I have added several more of his works to my "Want to Read" list. Since I have no interest in horror stories, I will be delving into a series of historical mysteries that he has written. It's quite difficult to compare McCammon to other authors. However, based solely on "Gone South", I would favorably compare him to T. Jefferson Parker. Their writing styles share certain similarities in terms of creating engaging plots and interesting characters.

4 stars for what it was. It wasn't a sweeping epic, so in the big scheme of things, it might deserve 3 stars. However, upon closer examination, there were certain aspects that truly stood out. The story, although not on a grand scale, had its own charm and appeal. The characters were well-developed, with their own unique personalities and motives. The writing style was engaging, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end. Despite its limitations, it managed to create an immersive experience that left a lasting impression. So, while it may not be a masterpiece in the traditional sense, it still has its merits and is definitely worth a read.

I really enjoyed this read.

There was a moment when I jumped in surprise and another when I cringed, but overall, it held my attention firmly from the very first page all the way to the last.

I had never read any of McCammon's novels before, but this one has truly made an impact on me.

It's safe to say that this definitely won't be my last encounter with his works.

In fact, he has now become a new favorite author of mine.

I'm looking forward to exploring more of his novels and seeing what other captivating stories he has to offer.

His writing style is engaging, and the way he weaves the plot and develops the characters is truly remarkable.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good read that keeps them on the edge of their seat.

McCammon has a talent for creating a world that readers can easily get lost in, and I can't wait to experience more of it.

4.5 stars!

I absolutely adored this book!

It tells the tale of a sick and struggling Vietnam veteran who completely "loses it" when the bank denies him a loan extension. That's all I'll disclose about the plot for now, aside from some general remarks.

The characters in this book are truly one-of-a-kind. I bet that no matter how widely read you are, you've never encountered characters quite like these in any other book.

This story manages to be both serious and highly entertaining, filled with humor and adventure. It's also a spiritual story, which I've found to be a common thread in almost every single Robert McCammon book.

If you're a fan of Mr. McCammon, you're certain to relish this novel. And if you've never read any of his works before, this would be an outstanding place to begin. This story has it all: love, hate, anger, disappointment, and, most importantly, redemption.

I wholeheartedly give this novel my highest recommendation! Do yourself a favor and pick it up and start reading!