Lake Moon

"Lake Moon" by John M. Williams is a haunting story about three extremely talented musicians who for many reasons, are not successful in the music business. This novel about musicians who self destruct and have their dreams shattered, has a similar plot to the best selling book "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love", and is just as powerful. The major difference is that "Lake Moon" is infused with Southern, rather than Cuban culture. Dr. Williams' novel demonstrates that he is a master of writing dialogue and of creating strong characters. "Lake Moon" is a book that you cannot forget. The feelings of frustration, desolation, and loneliness will stay with the reader for a very long time.

Southern, scarey, beautiful, mysterious, but never boring are the words which come to mind. But enough about my wife (cha boom teesh). This is a wonderful book! Dr. Williams skillfully draws you in and holds you tight, like a needy orangutan, to this wonderful story of relationships and dreams draped over a musical chair, called the Trybald Trio. The hard, raw emotions of this story remind me of Mississippi's Larry Brown and I was captured by the subtle beauty of Williams' clear voice describing the band's desire to play great music in the cesspool which is the music business. A great read.

"Lake Moon" is a story of shattered dreams and unrealized greatness. Superbly crafted with rich, moving passages this novel defines a period of time in the south when a generation of rock musicians came of age. Told with deep feeling and subtle humor, this book is a powerful work of fiction with memorable characters. Author John Williams has firmly established himself as a gifted storyteller following in the tradition of the great southern writers Pat Conroy and James Dickey.

Anyone who has played in a rock band--and taken the music seriously--will appreciate this saga of a group of musicians who should have captivated audiences throughout the Southern counterculture of the '70s. Just why the Trybald Trio failed is the subject of this eloquently written novel. Musicians and serious fans will recognize that the plight of the Trio was the plight of many real bands that transcended race and class differences and played stunning music--but who were no match for the egomaniacs, sharks and leeches infesting the entertainment business. Highly recommended.