Book Review-The Other

David Guterson is a northwest author who I have enjoyed since his first book, Snow Falling on Cedars. This was a lovely book that about racial conflict on Orcas Island. The images mirrored the area well. The book became one of my favorites of a couple of years ago. His last book was about a girl on the Olympic Peninsula that has a remarkable religious experience. The book drew me in and wouldn't let me go. I couldn't put that one down. Guterson's latest book is The Other. The novel takes place a couple of years ago with flashbacks to the 1970's and 1980's in Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula again. Two high school kids compete at a track meet. One comes from a wealthy private school and the other from a middle class high school in Seattle. They become friends with a passion for hiking and camping. John Berry (the one from the wealthy family) ends up dropping out of college and becoming an ascetic. He moves to the Olympic rain forest and lives his life by the Gnostic philosophies. Neil (the one from the middle class) continues his life as a normal working class person. He becomes a school teacher, married with kids and passionate about literature still hoping to write his novel. His secret life is supplying John with food, medicine and other supplies in his hidden home on state property. Neil doesn't agree with his friends choices, but supports him.
The book appealed to me with its historical references to Seattle 30 years ago. There was a touch of Kerouac and his Desolation Angels in the beginning of the book. Later, the book reminded me of Hemingway and his love for nature with a disdain of people. I knew people who could have been rolled together to make these characters. For instance, when I was in college, I knew a guy that dropped out of school and moved to the peninsula to live in a tree house. Getting back to the simpler life was a big draw. Most didn't take it to the extremes these characters do.
I liked the feel of the book, the references to local landmarks and the love for the Cascades and Olympic mountains. The story starts quite promising. Unfortunately, it peters out before the end. Anyone from the Seattle area should appreciate this book.
Enjoy!