Again to Carthage by John L. Parker Jr.
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Book Reviews of Again to Carthage
Book Review: Glad I read; still not sure I liked it.
Summary: 3 Stars
Once a Runner is still my favorite book of all time, and I've always felt that most any page taken by itself contains more truth about competitive distance running than has ever been written in every issue of Runner's World. So, I was eager to dive into the sequel.
Parker's writing style has not changed; that's a good thing, but I thought the last race was more than a little over dramatized. Though entertaining, I found the chapter that occurred the day before that race to be extraneous to the plot of the book.
I did not care for the mixing of real people with fictitious characters, but on the other hand, Parker's giving props to real life atheletes was cool...the only guy who missed out was the one who Quentin displaced in the last race. I did not like the way he played with time and real people; Mark Stickley came along 2-3 years after the Shea sisters, not 10 years before.
My biggest gripe is that Once a Runner ended just after the Montreal Games. Again to Carthage starts the day after Once a Runner ends (apparently), but it could be no later than 1972 (as an aside, I didn't find Mizner's character believable in the sequel). Even then, I'm not sure the events of the book would fit into the timeline between the beginning and the end. Mr. Parker, you may have created this universe, but you still must abide by it's rules; you don't get to make them up as you go.
I suppose this is a pretty harsh review. If I had it to do over again, I would buy and read the book again but only because I'm such a fan of the original. I was afraid that might be setting me up for a disappointment.
Three stars for this book. Five and a half for the original.
Book Review: Adequate, not stellar
Summary: 3 Stars
My own battered copy of Once a Runner is signed by JLP. I was a member of the Florida Track Club (Shorter wore the FTC singlet at times), a graduate of "Southeastern" (Go Gators!) and a "Kernsville" road runner myself so my interest in the book extends to the local color. The book satisfied my desire for a sequel, but the sloppy editing, numerous typos and random and inaccurate historical reference points were distracting. (FYI: If you hung around the "Southeastern University" track in the late 1970s and early 1980s, you could have met the real O'Bannon and Endris. They must be friends of JLP. I am sure it was fun for them to be honored in this way.) It is disappointing that Parker seems to turn up his nose at citizen runners. There'd be far less interest in books like his if Shorter hadn't inspired the running boom among the masses back in the 70s. It leaves the impression a fan has when her idol refuses to sign an autograph. The great thing about road racing, however, was that you could "compete" in the same field as Grete, Joanie, Alberto, Bill or Frank, none of whom left this snobby impression when they took time to chat with you. This leaves a bit of a sour taste in this reader's mouth. I would recommend the book to other runners who loved OAR and wonder what ever happened to old Quenton Cassidy, but I don't think it stands up well on its own.Book Review: Again to Red Lobster!?
Summary: 3 Stars
Again to Carthage from my viewpoint was the most anticipated running novel ever written. It was a sequel to the classic Once a runner which I felt broke new ground for novels focusing on distance runners and their lifestyle. This book failed me. It focuses on boating and fishing and eating different sea creatures. A lobster conga line...wow...then it switches focus to rural mountain family living where food is always cooking (was parker fasting when he wrote this?). Finally it gets to the climatic push towards the trials but how is it that ken martin and rod dixon have run a sub 4 mile and a sub 2:10 marathon in 1979/1980. This was supposed to be the other impetus for quentin to choose the marathon as a new challenge but dixon and martin hadn't even run a marathon at that point and i doubt martin had broken his 4 minute mile by 1979 either. Its great for Parker to vent his stories and soap boxes through his character but I expected much more from this book and I hate seafood and grits....There is no doubt Florida runners and mountain folk will drool during the long sections paying homage to their specific quirks just as academians will (especially bug people). It was worth reading which is why I rate it 3 but it fell short of the actual running focus that i was shelling the out the money for.Book Review: Like many a marathoner, this book hit the wall at the 20 mile mark
Summary: 3 Stars
As an avid runner, I really enjoyed Once a Runner, so I was eagerly anticipating its long awaited sequel. I really enjoyed first 276 pages, and the whole book took me no time at all to read. The development of the different characers and the rounding out of Quenton's charcter were wonderful. My only disappointment was the end. I thought last 70 pages were just could have offered so much more. In the last 75 pages he does have one of the funnier passages in the book, but other than that highlight it was disappointing. I don't think it is disclosing too much to say this book, like the first, ends with a race. However, this race was way too hokey and unrealistic. Not wanting to give away any details for those who have yet to read it, is will simply say there were several other events throughout the last chapters that were not written up to the same high standards as the begining. That said, it was a good and easy read, it just that end left a little to be desired in my mind.Book Review: A Worthy Sequel
Summary: 3 Stars
Again to Carthage: The long anticipated sequel to "Once a Runner" delivers the fix many fans have clamored for over the years. A book less about the act of running itself and more about the spiritual side of running, "Carthage" goes where few books about running are able. Parker's prose makes running real without inflating or cheapening it. His ability to do this is a big reason why "Once a Runner" is required reading for anyone who slides on a pair of running shoes. Parker does it once more in "Carthage," a worthy companion to its cult classic brethren. Read "Again to Carthage" because you've always wondered what it is like to commit yourself to the Olympic dream.