Luke Thacker is a drifting hobo in Depression-era America, riding the rails of the nation and surviving by crumbs and hope. Along the way he learns the iconography of transients-the Hobo Code-better than anyone else and deciphers a secret that thrusts him into Athanasia, the middle ground of memories.
He learns that Athanasia exists around us, a realm in which the deceased persevere by how they are remembered, and the memories Luke meets will do anything to not ever be forgotten, whether by trickery, violence, or daring.
Luke learns, too, that what's remembered yesterday is not always the same as what will be remembered tomorrow, and he sets off to keep alive the memories of those he loves in the way a 'bo does best: telling tales of old legends, and making up new ones alike.
Fifty years later, the tall crossbucks of Luke Thacker are repeated by homeless King Shaw, who's struggling to keep Luke's own legend alive and with it, perhaps, his own.
'Cause it don't matter if you rob banks with a dead John Dillinger, are hunted over the years by vengeful Earp brothers, or go against the monstrous railroad guard, Smith McCain: When a story is told, all who are part of it become a little stronger.
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[The train ride going to Charleston had always been one of Luke's favourites]***
(@JournalStone, 26 July 2019, ebook, 288 pages, ARC from @ericjguignard and voluntarily reviewed)
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I loved this book. It reminds me so much of The Talisman by Stephen King. An impressive feat, believe me. I loved the way the book weaves back and forth between the past and present. I love books that effectively use time shifts. Luke is a great character. The book delves into his tragic past and shows how he became a hobo. He's a tragic, sympathetic character. I loved the fact Luke encounters famous historical figures including John Dillinger and Lizzie Borden. Wyatt Earp also features. This is woven into the storyline very well and is a treat to read. This book is very original I enjoyed every page. This book is a delightful combination of western and historical fiction with a dash of magic realism. This is a true pleasure to read.
