A tyrannical high school principal. A young anarchist with nothing left to lose. One way or another, this place is goin’ down.Matt Moyer is an orphaned teen growing up on a primitive farm in the Pennsylvania coal region. He’s homeschooled by his eccentric and philosophical great-uncle, who’s a stickler for logic, reason, and intellectual honesty. Despite his uncle’s reverence for veracity, … reverence for veracity, inconsistencies arise regarding the old man’s shady past and the teen’s parents.
Through a harrowing sequence of events, Matt is forced to attend a public school. The feral teen finds it difficult to cope with the hypocrisy, propaganda, and misinformation that adults and children so readily accept. Faced with the possibility of expulsion, arrest, and ostracism, he must make a choice. Will he choose the easy lie or the hard truth?
Adult language and content. Beware of spoilers in reviews.
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I really enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and thought provoking. I’d love to know what happens with Matt and Emily. I hope there’s another book.
Ebook Review: AGAINST THE GRAIN by Phillip M. Williams
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AGAINST THE GRAIN, those who are “different”.
It’s a label, those in “power” initiate.
The “established way”, is determined by them.
What happens when, “norm” is the problem.
Against the odds, seem to be losing.
Keep on going, get to the truth.
This world complicated, there’s no easy answer.
Through the process, others will join in.
Against a storm, nature still stands strong.
Turns things around, cleans its own house.
Worth the time, pick this BOOK up.
Won’t regret it, so full of promise.
An orphaned 5-year old boy, Matt Moyer, goes to live with his eccentric uncle on a farm. His uncle homeschools him and teaches him many things including farming. As the years go by, Matt learns everything about farming and becomes quite adept at taking care of all the chores and his uncle whose health is failing. Things seem to be going along until disaster strikes, the farm is taken away, his uncle dies and Matt is sent to a foster home. He is now 16 and sent to school for the first time continually questioning everything and trying to adjust. Matt has had a very rough life. So many things happen to him, some good, more bad. I was so intrigued by his character and deeply felt his pain and also some joy. I did love the way the book ended. I am so happy I read this book and easily give it 5+ stars.
I just finished this amazing book in one day because I couldn’t stop reading. This book spans a huge range of human emotions. I almost feel wrung out from virtually experiencing each characters challenges, loves, hurts, humiliations and victories. Obviously the characters were all rich with real depth. The plot was intricate yet expansive. Probably one of the best books I have read recently.
What makes it more interesting is that philosophically I am probably pretty much diametrically opposed to the authors viewpoint (except for a few things). But that shows you how good this book is, that I could relate to it, yet not, and still think it’s a great book.
I highly recommend this book.
A book that makes you think pretty hard; in a good way. Wonderful characters both the good and the bad. I usually tend toward crime/thriller even horror books however this one I enjoyed immensely and the plot and how it unfolds is excellent.
This is another winner by Phil Williams. If I could give it an A+++ I would, but a plain A will have to suffice.
This book evokes tremendous emotion in me. The characters were very well developed and the story was intense and held my interest from start to finish. The ending was somewhat of a surprise, but was most satisfying. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that likes a book that really grabs you. If you’re just looking for a fluff book to just pass the time, this is not for you. This book will grab ahold of you and won’t let go until you finish it. Even then it continues to haunt me.
As with his other books, the editing is excellent. Kudos for you Phil Williams.
This was an interesting book and very thought provoking! It’s a story about Matt whose uncle is raising him on a farm. His uncle teaches him critical thinking instead of just memorizing facts. When the town decides to take the farm from them and his uncle dies he’s at loose ends. It shows him learn to adjust and carry on with his life. It was a very interesting book.
I absolutely loved Against the Grain. From the first chapter I knew this book would break my heart. Matt and his uncle Jack are so abused by the elites in the area who want their land for developement.
I hate reading books when I can tell really bad things are going to happen to the characters and there is nothing I can do about it. It’s like seeing a car wreck, you want to look away, but you just can’t. You have to find out. Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think it will be.
I couldn’t wait to get this book finished so Matt could get over all the bad he had been thru.
Haven’t rated any books with a five lately, but this one is a five. Go Phil M Williams.