Courage Between

De: Eric Penz

Narrado por: Sean Schroeder

Chris is a single parent, widower, who makes a living telling stories of great heroic acts. But for his part, he doesn't truly believe heroism exists any longer, especially not after his wife's death. Until he takes his two young sons on their first backpacking trip on the last August weekend before school starts when they are chased from their tent by a creature of the woods with aberrant behavior. He flees with his sons into the cover of night thinking the threat has passed them by. Instead, he finds himself with his back against the wall with a simple choice: stand aside and let his sons die a horrific death, or place himself in between and fight.

Courage Between is based on true events in the author's life in the vein of Jack London's The Call of the Wild. It is the story of the ordinary man who is willing to make the extraordinary choice, and finding the courage to do so in that thin space between life and death.

©2013 Eric Penz (P)2014 Eric Penz

Camper Beware!

Would you listen to Courage Between again? Why?

I would really like to analyze the main character's actions and options to better understand the choices he was making. He made a choice to stand up to his fears, and did whatever he could at that moment to ensure the safety and survival of all.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Chris was the most developed character, the protagonist and the hero. He really was the main character.

Which scene was your favorite?

A few: his young son praying in the tent, the mountain lion turning to back down

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Monsters in the night

Any additional comments?

Wish I knew what happened to Chris' wife....

Camping will never be the same for me!

What made the experience of listening to Courage Between the most enjoyable?

The suspense was insane. It was like being in a nightmare. My teenage daughter and I listened to it together and it was so scary. I'm sure it will come back to my memory every time I close my eyes to go to sleep in a tent.

Which character – as performed by Sean Schroeder – was your favorite?

I thought he did a great job with the kids, but he was perfect as the author's voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Okay

The ending and the afterward were the best part of this short story. The very long slow buildup to get to that point seems to take forever. Another problem is that the reader relates the story in a quiet, calm, mellifluous voice that doesn't transmit the inherent tension in the situation. It's not awful, but neither is it very good.