Escape from Fred

This final chapter in the "Fred trilogy" brings our hero, preacher's kid Mark Cloud, full circle and all grown up. Having graduated from high school in the last book, Mark is ready to get to college and start over - escaping Fred, Texas, and all that's associated with it, including his identity as a PK (preacher's kid). Things don't turn out quite the way he plans, however. While he initially finds fun, friendship, and even romance at college, his own mistakes and those of others soon destroy his carefully-constructed "new life." When another tragedy strikes back at Fred itself, Mark makes another escape, leaving everything behind and setting out on a road trip of self-discovery. Through it all, Whittington carefully weaves in intriguing historical references from the 70s and earlier. The Beat Generation and their writings play a major role this time around, and the early growth of the Nation of Islam even plays a part. None of it feels forced, although at this point, alas, the similarities between my own upbringing here in Texas and Mark Cloud's come virtually to an end. I never did hardly any of the things he does in this book (though I did think about a few of them...). However, I feel I must say this, Mr. Whittington: Mark's new friend at college? The Captain? I knew that guy. Only he went to a different college and a different year. He has to be the same, though. No one else could talk quite like that... The humor and spiritual questing as vital elements are unchanged from the previous two books, picking up on past threads and carrying them to satisfying conclusions (Jolene's wedding, for instance...). This whole trilogy is one of those excellent stories that demands multiple readings. In fact, it's ideal for reading aloud to a loved one. There's not much more I can say than I've already said on the previous two books. If your tastes in reading ordinarily don't approach this kind of story, you're seriously missing out. Highly Recommended.

My wife and I've read the Fred series together, and Escape From Fred is a terrific culmination to this fantastic series. Brad Whittington has accomplished a difficult feat here, blending humor into believable events, with a theological thread of truth throughout. It's not preachy at all, as seen through the quest of a seeker, but leads a person to some valuable spiritual insights about people and about the Lord. We heartily recommend this book. Ron & Dee Arnold Honolulu, HI.

Escape from Fred by Brad Whittington is a powerful, moving conclusion to the Fred, Texas trilogy. Unlike other series dependent upon a recurrent character, not only does Mark Cloud mature throughout the books, but the writing and plot do as well. This book is much more story driven with Mark making some unexpected choices, but I see that as being true to life. As we get older, we focus in more on specific goals or desires, and we often leave behind friends and family. So while we don't spend much time actually in Fred, Texas in this book, Whittington does a wonderful job of making Mark grow up and face the world. I would very much like to know who the inspiration for Jolene is, partly so I can make sure I'm never even in the same state she is! I also really enjoy the exchanges between Mark and his sisters; they are hilarious with just the right touch of meanness for sibling rivalry. I happen to be reading the book of Job right now in my Bible, so reading about Mark struggling with it and through it helped me through it as well. The book was excellently written and ended the series on just the right note. The last few paragraphs are a letter of love just for the readers: perfection.

I decided, after a chaotic weekend, to come home and spend some time relaxing with "Escape from Fred". Only I didn't relax. My fingers were curled up in a small ball. The tips of my nails turned white as I gripped the pages. This is one seriously good book. I couldn't put it down. I stayed up all night reading it. I laughed. I cried. At all of the appropriate parts, too. I wish I could pick out all of the things that mean something to me in this book, but I'd have to basically copy the whole thing here and it might be considered plagiarism. I did, however, made a lot of red marks with my pen. My FAVORITE parts are marked in red so that when my friends read the book (and they will, they just don't know it yet), they will see the parts I liked best. This is a great series, and "Escape from Fred" is a fantastic finale.

I received the last installment of the Fred trilogy for my birthday and started reading it that evening. As usual when faced with Brad's musings, I could not put the book down. This is bad if you get up at 5 a.m. the next morning to go to work. Laughing out loud in bed at 1 a.m. is not something I've done in a long time. My wife is ambivilent as to whether I should ever do so again. The trials of Mark Cloud (and his creator) have always resonated with me, but Escape From Fred had several scenes that brought me to tears (even if Mark didn't respond that way). The endless questioning by each new generation is a source of irritation to us old folks. I only hope that the whippersnappers get as much guidance from us as we got from our forefathers, and foremothers. Grief and grace, yin and yang, Muslim and Christian, Fred and Chicago. Who could ask for anything more? Charlie Jehlen