A Good Man

When you fall so far the chance to rise up seems so far away. "A Good Man" tells the story of Harry Ducharme, a man who feels he has fallen far in life, from a national celebrity to on a no-one cares radio show in a local Florida station. But there may be hope, as another strange character enters his life, but is he just another face in a cast of strange characters? "A Good Man" is an entertaining and unique literary read that should not be missed.

Each tale, character, plot and sub plot is woven together by the author in an elegant manner seldom seen in the world of fiction. His descriptions of people and places are more poetic and painted than merely put in print. Perhaps another way to think about this work is as a collection of short stories that Baker magically turns into a superbly written mystery/love story/fantasy. While many readers and/or students of Flannery O'Connor might see this as a tribute to her-Baker does owe her a great deal-it is uniquely his own talented voice that comes through loud and clear. I highly recommend this page turner as a study in the craft of excellent story telling. John Lee (A.K.A. Richard "Dixie" Hartwell) author When the Buddha Met Bubba and The Flying Boy: Healing the Wounded Man

Yes, if you read the signature already, I am a character in this book, and that did not prejudice my review at all. I taught English for 40 years and was always looking for a good book for kids to read. When I began, it was Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys. Later in my teaching life, I recommended The Outsiders and Rumblefish. The last five years of my teaching, it seems that children just grew up. They wanted something more. I was recommended The Flamingo Rising by my sister in law, and her recommendation was, "I have already read it twice. It is that good." I picked the book up, couldn't put it down, and had it devoured in one night. I invited the author to our town for a reading and teaching expedition to our high school. The kids loved him and the book. I read his next novel and liked it, but not as much as TFR. Now, he had another chance to woo me, and he did. A Good Man is wonderful. The new character of Harry intertwined with some of the old characters of The Flamingo Rising were so inspired. I reread the book yesterday and got the same chills at the end. Some of the lines are just so memorable. When Harry asks Nora to stay up and watch the sunrise, she responds, "Oh, Harry, it does that everyday." I tell my husband that same thing when we are at the beach, and he wants me up at the crack of dawn. I think ordinary people like me, and extraordinary people as well, will love this new work of art. I am rereading The Flamingo Rising now to reacquaint myself with Alice and Polly and Pete. You are in for a real treat. Jean Norville

I love this story. I have forgotten Flannery O'Connor and most everything she wrote, but do remember Harry Chapin and WOLD and Elmer Gantry and all the wannabe's. Now I have another Harry to ponder and he would be on a list of interesting dinner guests with O'Connor and Chapin and Baker if we were playing "who would you invite." You may find yourself reading this story like you are standing in the room with each character and wanting to know them personally. And by the end, you will.