Feb 26 2009
Ten Mile River: A Novel by Paul Griffin
Click here to hear an excerpt.
Author Paul Griffin’s work in New York City schools and juvenile detention facilities is apparent in his realistically-drawn characters and their authentic dialog in this impressive debut novel. We can only hope that Griffin takes us back to the streets of New York again soon.
Jose, a.k.a. The J-Man, and Raymond, a.k.a. Ray-Ray, are fugitives from foster care and juvie. They are “friends to the end,” watching out for each other and committing small-time crimes to survive. When asked about their parents they reply, “Don’t got ’em,” and “Don’t need ‘em.” Jose is older but smaller. He is movie-star-handsome and the leader of the pair. He has charm and wit but is mostly illiterate. Ray is almost the complete opposite of Jose. He is huge, 6’3”, 230 lbs. Although he is highly intelligent and an avid reader of almost anything, Ray is not as quick with his mouth as Jose is and is frequently tongue-tied. The two live in an abandoned train station In New York City’s Ten Mile River Park with stolen and scrounged furniture and a pack of abandoned dogs.
Like Lenny and George in Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, the two stick together through thick and thin, fighting the system, violent men, bad luck and poor decisions. Even their love of the beautiful Trini cannot break their bonds of friendship. Readers will fall in love with Ray. His intelligence and introspective nature recall Sammy from Benjamin Alire Saenz’s Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood and his big heart and desire to do the right thing bring to mind Iggy Corso of K.L. Going’s Saint Iggy—good literary company indeed. Though the ending is less than satisfying the writing is excellent and the story is compelling.
Warning: lots of harsh language.
Highly recommended for high school.
By Mr. Doyle
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