Free Bird

If you have not read Free Bird yet, make the time, take the time, and read it. You will not be sorry. Greg Garrett is a wonderful storyteller. I was drawn into the story from page one and couldn't quit until I finished it. This is a story of love, forgiveness, finding oneself, forgiving oneself, redemption and salvation all wrapped into one. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

I'm a sucker for a great 'road trip' novel, and Free Bird delivers. Greg Garrett gives us the story of ex-lawyer Clay Forester and his search for answers, answers to his pathetic existence as a bar band musician, answers to his relationship--or lack thereof--with his absentee father, answers to the tragic loss of his wife & son in a fatal car accident. But Garrett provides these answers without heavy-handed prose or pulpit-style preaching. His memorable tale unfolds like a real trip across country, with plenty of twists, turns and unexpected stops along the way. The result is a story that leaves readers wanting more from this talented author and a 'road trip' that shouldn't be missed. Salmon Run

This is not just another "road trip" book. It's a perspective on life, from a protagonist that's both familiar and tragic. Clay Forester is familiar, because he has an "everyman" quality. Men and women (I'm female) will relate to him. At the same time, he's tragic due to his circumstances, which are unusual, to say the least. Clay's "everyman" quality comes from the universal themes running through "Free Bird". Music, religion, family, friendship, and the keeping of secrets are the underpinnings of the story. Feelings of guilt, apathy, fear, love and loyalty flow in generous measure. And there's the road trip itself, with its rich symbolism every reader can identify with. Scary and wonderful things can happen when a person sets off on a long journey. The familiarity of these themes makes "Free Bird" as comfortable as a favorite song, the tragic events of Clay's life play havoc with that comfort. Garrett had me hooked. You'll love this yarn. It would be a fantastic book on tape, would really lend itself to being read aloud...on a long trip maybe?

Greg Garrett is a wonderful storyteller. This journey is told with tremendous ease despite the sorrow that Clay Forrester is immersed in. The only thing that would make this book any better is a soundtrack as a companion to the musical journey of this story. I loved it.

Reading Greg Garrett's novel FREE BIRD is like taking a journey with an old friend. He brings you into his life, and asks nothing of you but to listen to his story. A story so full of universal appeal that it can speak to every reader regardless of age or gender. It is ultimately a story of redemption; of how men can get lost when life, when love, fails them. Yet it also speaks to women -- how we fight for the men we love, for our children, for the life that feels right. FREE BIRD reminds us that we can have a second (or third or fourth) chance at the life we so desperately want if only we're willing to allow the past to remain just that -- the past. FREE BIRD is one of those rare books that will remain with you for a long, long time.