Chris Simpson tells the story of growing up in a gritty industrial upstate New York town in the 1960s, hanging out with a bunch of friends whose favorite pastimes are playing high school football, chasing girls, dreaming up nicknames, inventing imaginary organizations, and trying to get served in bars.Their football team, the Ganaway Rivermen, has historically won more than its fair share of games against archrival Bell Island. The Bell Island – Ganaway game, the BI-G game, is famous throughout the region. But that winning streak has come to an end….Frank Helwig is the team’s legendary coach. He’s won more games than any coach in the league, maybe in the state. For all those years, Helwig has relied on the single wing offense, which by the ‘60s has been abandoned by all but a few schools. Is it time for a change? The team’s losing streak against Bell Island has the town talking. People are saying that Helwig needs to modernize the Ganaway game, but that talk seems to be falling on deaf ears.Chris and his teammates come up through the ranks: freshman ball, then the JV team, and finally varsity. Over those years, their families confront a series of issues: alcoholism, gambling, loan sharking, mob connections, a nasty injury at a chemical plant, and the possible loss of a family business. But always, football and friendship form the glue that holds the boys together. And in their senior year, it’s up to them to save the reputation of the Ganaway Rivermen and their own sense of pride.J.R. Krull’s debut novel offers readers a refreshing escape from today’s flood of serial-killer noir. In this rollicking coming-of-age tale about a gang of buddies growing up in a gritty industrial city, Krull takes us on a nostalgic journey back to a time when a wild night depended on scoring an illegal six-pack, when true love blossomed in the balcony of the local theater, and when life’s greatest challenges were making the JV football team and learning the proper steps to the Watusi. His characters move through a setting so evocative that the reader smells the pizza parlor and papermill, hears the hum of the factory night shift, and the darkening whispers of Vietnam. It is a delightful story that might begin with Daisy BB guns and end on Ganaway clashing with Bell Island, but it is larger than that. It has the power to transport readers back to that magical time of their own youth, back to that place where friendship was precious and life seemed like a perfect spring day that would never end.Ronald Salomone, PhD, Professor Emeritus of English, Ohio University-ChillicotheJ.R. Krull's first novel is a poignant coming of age tale about a group of high school friends who live for football in a blue-collar upstate New York town. Set in the 1960s, it is a tale remarkably told in a voice that has the honesty and directness of J.D. Salinger.Dana Wichern, Retired newspaper columnist, university writing instructor, and editorThe stresses of blue-collar family life, the formation of friendships in an ethnically diverse city, and other adolescent challenges are presented in colorful and humorous detail. Michael N. Ryan, PhD, Professor Emeritus, State University of New YorkKrull’s novel allows readers beyond a certain age a humorous yet poignant opportunity to recapture what was lost years ago, their youth, and its many adventures. If your younger days involved sports, the opposite sex, crazy friends, and beer, you will enjoy reliving it all in these pages.Lee Owen, Retired investment professionalJ.R. Krull captures what life was like for young people on the cusp of adulthood in 20th-century blue collar America. Krull has a voice. His narrator, Chris Simpson, speaks the language of friendship and football in this engaging debut novel.Craig Klugman, Retired newspaper editor
✔ Author(s): J.R. Krull
✔ Title: Single Wing: A Story of Boyhood, Friendship, and Football
✔ Rating : 5 out of 5 base on (30 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 1954786921
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Single Wing by J.R. Krull
Poppy Brooks
Explore the transformative power of travel and adventure in this inspiring memoir. The author's vivid descriptions and engaging writing make you feel like you're right there with them. Each chapter offers new insights into different cultures and landscapes. The narrative is both informative and deeply personal, sharing the highs and lows of the journey. It's a story that inspires wanderlust and personal growth. Perfect for those who love travel stories.
Shark Davey
Experience the thrill of a heist gone wrong in this fast-paced crime novel. The author's detailed plotting and dynamic characters create a compelling narrative. Each twist and turn in the story keeps you hooked from start to finish. The tension and suspense build with each chapter, making it a page-turner. It's an exhilarating read that captures the essence of high-stakes crime. Perfect for fans of heist stories and thrillers.
Sara Poole
Follow the heartwarming journey of a group of friends navigating life's challenges together. The author's empathetic writing and well-developed characters create a deeply emotional experience. Each chapter explores themes of friendship, love, and resilience with sensitivity. The plot's twists and turns keep you engaged throughout. It's a story that celebrates the bonds that connect us. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories about friendship and community.
