Hardscrabble Road

By: George Weinstein

Narrated by: Ben Collins

The entire MacLeod clan is haunted by secrets, and young Bud MacLeod doesn't realize he carries the biggest secret of all. Growing up poor in Depression-era South Georgia is hard enough, but Bud is also cursed with a stutter and a birthmark that disfigures his face. His hateful father and amoral mother make life worse still, despite his brother's efforts to shield him.

To survive in body and soul, Bud must discover his strengths and confront the sins of his parents. First, though, he'll need to grasp his own truth: that he can't embrace his future until he comes to terms with his past.

©2018 George Weisntein (P)2018 Southern Fried Karma, LLC

Captivating and Gut Wrenching

This is my 2nd novel I have read from George Weinstein! What I love most about this author is that he draws you in at the beginning and continues to keep you interested in the story! He is so detailed with the characters and scenery that you feel like you’re in the story watching it all! I like that about a writer! I found myself getting angry and sympathetic at the same time! Bud and his school teacher are my favorite characters! Looking forward to reading Return to Hardscrabble Road!

Excellent imagery and compelling characters

Excellent imagery and compelling characters - I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope the author will wrote more like these.

Absorb Yourself in the Reality of a Young Boy in an Past Era

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Weinstein at a bookstore in Ponce City Market in Atlanta and he convinced me to give his books a try. Hardscrabble Road is the first of the four books that I have read and I’m happy to have taken this chance.

While Hardscrabble Row may not be written about any one real individual. It is a tribute to an era not long past, but foreign to many today. The vivid descriptions brought to life the experiences of a young boy growing up during harsh times in rural Georgia. Indeed, you will feel the warm sun pounding on your head and the pine straw under your bare feet as vividly as the sweat that comes from fearing an adult who has little control over himself but every control over you. In it, I glimpsed a little of my father’s childhood and what made him into the man he is today.

If you are willing to sink yourself into a story and really feel the hardness that made small joys seem so sweet in Roger’s (or someone like him) world, I highly recommend Hardscrabble Road.

A memorable story

This is an extremely well written story with subtle humor, vivid imagery and a creative use of similes. Best of all, the characters are well drawn and memorable. And Ben Collins voices these characters appropriately, even Bud's stutter. This is one of those stories I'll likely not soon forget.

NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Excellent!

Loved this book rich with history and words from that time period. I would enjoy a sequel to this book. Great listen!