My Abandonment

A Novel

By: Peter Rock

Narrated by: Tai Sammons

Length: 6 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Thirteen-year-old Caroline and her father have lived for four years on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon, in Forest Park. He has homeschooled her using encyclopedias and books from the library while also teaching her a rigid code of behavior that enables them to survive in this wilderness. Yet one small mistake allows the authorities to discover them. Their forced relocation to a horse farm outside of the city becomes only a brief respite to their deeper flight from a world that can't understand them.

©2009 Peter Rock (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Top Ten Northwest Books of 2009 (The Oregonian)

“Tai Sammons's narration commands attention….Definitely a worthwhile listen.” ( AudioFile)

“Utterly entrancing….Every step of this narrative…rings true.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“This beautiful, strange novel takes us into the foreign country where those called homeless are at home; the city is wilderness, and the greater wilderness lies beyond. Fascinating and moving, it tells with great tenderness how human love goes wrong.” (Ursula Le Guin)

Movie Was Better

This was one of the few times I can honestly say I thought the movie was better! The story line in the book had some confusing/hard to follow details that were simplified and a bit more believable in the movie.

Wonderful story

A wonderful, wonderful story. This story is a beautiful mix of innocence and knowledge as explored though the relationship between a father and 13-year old daughter. The father is a military veteran who does not trust "society". He is raising his daughter to survive in this environment. The story is told from the perspective of the daughter. I came to this book after seeing the trailer for the film "Leave no trace". get it. you won't be disappointed.

Disturbingly Satisfying

This sparse yet intensely captivating story touched a part of me that yearns to wander without attachments, just to see where my feet might go, and to listen to the cold wind in the morning.

Movie was surprisingly better

The movie’s story made more sense and was more interesting and more believable. The movie flowed better and was more logical. I liked the original dialogue

truth, another word for belief

This story spoke to me of the layers of our world open to inspection, for those who care to look.

Fresh ideas, adventurous

I was actually looking for a different book by this author, when I stumbled into this book. I really like the creativity and the unpredictable adventure. The main character was a delight. It’s interesting to see how this young woman, age 13, lives outside the system, and by doing so she gives us insight into a materialistic world that so many seem to be trapped by.

Interesting, disturbing, and…

I watched a movie titled Leave No Trace that was based on this book which is based on a true story. The story is interesting enough in that many people in the US prefer to live “off the grid” either due to mental illness or by want of a simpler life (albeit survival without creature comforts). This story covers a veteran with mental illness (implied) but leaves too many questions for me to give it 5 stars. I want to know more- back story, as well as a more complete ending. An extra chapter at the end (an epilogue) that explains both would have been great while keeping the intrigue and poetry of the book intact.

Worth the time. Fun, interesting.

What did you love best about My Abandonment?

Each time the story took a major turn I thought I knew where it was going and anticipated a boring cliche, but it didn't deliver any. Instead it was a journey through a perspective that unfurls and changes with time.Sort of a day in the life, but not your average life, and not just one day.

What other book might you compare My Abandonment to and why?

Tideland? (movie) not plot but sort of perspective style, if it took place near Portland. This book is so Portland.

Any additional comments?

It's not going on my best of shelf with Dune or anything, but I'd say I got my money's worth and am glad I "read" it.

OK.....

A slow story that reminded one of the meandering horse on the cover. Solid, but nothing earth shattering.

Great Reading by Tai Sammons

My Abandonment is and incredibly vivid story, that was brilliantly read by Tai Sammons. I found her narration engaging, and acted enough to distinguish the voices between the characters, but subtle enough to let the text stand out. If you like the book, check out the film Leave No Trace (dir. Debra Granik).