Book Jacket

 

rank 4169
word count 17360
date submitted 25.03.2009
date updated 25.03.2009
genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction
classification: universal
incomplete

Footprints in the Snow

Sam Ruddock

“Shit,” he curses, though his voice is empty.

 

When his car runs out of petrol on a quite street in suburban Sydney Jeremy Blackwell finds himself pitched back into a life he left behind more than 20 years ago. He meets Jason Langdon, the father of his ex-girlfriend and together they set off on a road trip around Australia, getting to know each other again as adults and re-appraising the events that have led them where they now are. Footprints in the Snow is a novel about how each of us tries to leave little records of our lives to last on when we are gone. It is about threee different approaches to this: leaving a legacy through writing, through raising children, and through physically marking the earth upon which you have walked. Epic in scope and complex in structure, Footprints in the Snow is a book that should only have been written in a dream with the knowledge that their are no answers to the mysteries of life, only endless questions, and the quest to answer them.

 
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tags

australia, epic, fiction, literary fiction, mythology, place, sydney, travel

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7 comments

 

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nikkidudley wrote 1153 days ago

Hi Sam,

really enjoying Footprints! Very well written novel with some excellent descriptions. Particularly liked parts such as 'Words are forming on their tongues, smoking between them' and small parts, like the lizard and the kangaroo in the first chapter- very well observed!

The character, Jeremy has a lot of intrigue about him. The fact that he is know to Langdon by a different name, his memories of Ember, his sudden draw back to his past; all make me want to read on. Langdon similarly, seems strongly linked to the house, which is almost personified. Why are they both in this house and will they ever truly leave it and the past behind?

I've shelved this! Looking forward to reading more. Best, Nikki

johnjoch wrote 757 days ago

Like the story and the descriptive bits. Well written and constructive. I am backing this as this is a story I can read and enjoy, wishing I had more time to contiue reading further but then this site puts on constraints.
Take a look at my offering, Three Stayed Home a WW2 adventure and love story. Hope you like it and might think enough of it to back. Regards JohnJ

Sam Ruddock wrote 1147 days ago

NIce style of writing Sam and the story seems quite compelling and thought provoking. Shelved
Michael



Thanks Michael. I have read some of your book and will try to leave feedback soon. All the best.

Michael Croucher wrote 1147 days ago

NIce style of writing Sam and the story seems quite compelling and thought provoking. Shelved
Michael

Sam Ruddock wrote 1152 days ago

S- Just began reading this. I saw Poppet was commenting on it and I came over for a gander. I like this, reminds me much of the use of heat and sweat in my work, TAT.- I'll keep reading. J



Thanks James, much appreciated. I'll try to take a look at TAT over the next couple of days and get back to you on it. Any further feedback you have on Footprints is great and please be as critical as possible!

Sam Ruddock wrote 1152 days ago

Sam I've read up to the end of chapter 2 and feel so very sad. This is heart wrenching!! I have no idea, why....where he's been or where he comes from or where he's going, so yes I'm curious to read further. But....it's in the way you've described things, aloof almost, hinting at wrinkles, ley lines, gradients, regret, no regret...... I never want to feel like that. It makes my ribcage feel like an empty cavity and I just want to give the poor man a drink and a hug!

It's beautifully written! It has character and depth. Well done! Shelved!



Thanks Poppet. I'm glad it made you feel slightly glum and you definitely picked out all the emotions and styles I am aiming at. Essentially, these first 4 chapters are rock bottom, and the rest of the novel is a journey of redicovery. Hopefully you should already see little shoots of brightness in chapter 4 here.

Thanks so much for being the first random person (meant in a nice way!) to pick up Footprints and give it a go. Your helpful comments are much appreciated. I am still not entirely sure what Shelving actaually does but when I read up the FAQ's and find out then I am sure I will be delighted! ;)

Will try to finish Exploits today.

Jeriah wrote 1152 days ago

S- Just began reading this. I saw Poppet was commenting on it and I came over for a gander. I like this, reminds me much of the use of heat and sweat in my work, TAT.- I'll keep reading. J

nikkidudley wrote 1153 days ago

Hi Sam,

really enjoying Footprints! Very well written novel with some excellent descriptions. Particularly liked parts such as 'Words are forming on their tongues, smoking between them' and small parts, like the lizard and the kangaroo in the first chapter- very well observed!

The character, Jeremy has a lot of intrigue about him. The fact that he is know to Langdon by a different name, his memories of Ember, his sudden draw back to his past; all make me want to read on. Langdon similarly, seems strongly linked to the house, which is almost personified. Why are they both in this house and will they ever truly leave it and the past behind?

I've shelved this! Looking forward to reading more. Best, Nikki

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