Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “Posted on September 16th, 2010 |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“Not much of a golf fan but this story was very very well written and the ending had me in tears. This is also the first book I have read by James Ross and I want to read more.”
starshine wrote this review Friday, January 7, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted illegally.)
jasonpettus wrote this review Monday, November 15, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
One of the things I'm fascinated by in the arts these days is the rise of what could almost be called the "pro/am" writer, who takes advantage of small-run publishing plants and social media to craft a humble career for themselves as the author of an ongoing, hyper-specialized series, maintaining a fan base that will never get them rich but is at least enough to justify writing another book; the reason I call these people pro/am, then, is that it seems sometimes that the writing on these specialized subjects (knitting, cooking, athletics) is as much of a hobby for these authors as it is a professional endeavor, and that in a different age these people might be spending that writing time building a model railroad in their basement instead. Take for example lifelong golfer James Ross, who decided only in his fifties to start writing for the first time, and who has now put out four novels in an ongoing series about the laid-back fictitious Prairie Winds public golf course over on the east side of St. Louis (locals, think more like Cahokia than East St. Louis proper), where a recurring cast of quirky characters take on different political and sociological issues in each title (broken families, legal corruption, fighting cancer) while mixing in plenty of golfing, discussions about golfing, theories about golfing, and golfing golfing did I mention golfing golfing golfing?
I mean, don't get me wrong, this latest in the series has more than its fair share of problems, and when directly compared to just about any mainstream novel is almost sure to come out on the losing end; but it's also very readable and entertaining, with a sprinkling of legitimate surprises and intelligent moments, a novel clearly meant for a niche audience (seriously, you better love golfing) but that keeps that niche audience highly satisfied. I find it charming that we live in an age where books like these can not only exist but can even have a decent-sized fan base, without any of the parties involved having to deal with big publishing houses or chain bookstores; and although it's far from the best-written thing I've read this year, I'm glad to know that such quietly enjoyable specialized novels as these are out there.
Out of 10: 7.5, or 8.0 for golf fans”“Posted on September 16th, 2010
James Ross wrote this review Thursday, September 16, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
by Simon Barrett in All News, Book Reviews, Reviews
This is James Ross’ fourth book, and once again we have the Prairie Winds Golf Course as the back drop and several of the characters in the book are familiar ones.
What I like about James Ross is that while he reuses his writing investment in back drop and characters, each book is completely different in its subject matter.
Lifetime Loser is very much a legal thriller, Finish Line almost a coming of age story, and Tuey’s Course is a rather sad reflection of oppression. The other unusual and notable trait is that these books for the most part are not a series. The standard ‘this book picks up where the last one ended’ does not apply.
While Lifetime Loser is undoubtedly the cornerstone, the other books mostly coexist in the same timeframe, they are merely different facets of James Ross’ fictional world at the Prairie Winds Golf Course.
I opted to read the last three books in the order they were published, but the reader is not obligated to do so, each story stands on it’s own.
If James Ross can be unconventional then so can I. My plan was to interview him after I had finished all four books, alas my curiosity was too great and lured him onto the radio a couple of weeks ago, it is well worth listening to.
Oops, talking about unconventional, I guess I really should talk a little about Opur’s Blade, well it is a review after all!
We first meet Opur at the tender age of 12. Owen Purler does not have a great family life. An over protective mother combined with an overbearing father have created a child who certainly does not meet the Websters Dictionary definition of ‘Self Confidence’.
Owen’s mother Rayleene reads about a free summer program being sponsored by the Prairie Winds Golf Course, youth are invited to participate in some free golf lessons, overseen by course owner and resident pro J Dub Shroeder. Unfortunately there is a minor error in the announcement, a discrepancy between the day of the week, and the date. Raylene,Owen and his friend Johnny turn up one day too soon.
J Dub takes it in his stride:
That means they are going to get a private lesson to start them off on the right foot
While Johnny hacks and slashes, J Dub watches in amazement as Owen picks up in a few minutes, what others strive for over decades. Owen has a natural ability.
As Owen becomes a regular feature around Prairie Winds the locals, as they do with everyone they like, find the need to create a nickname for Owen Purler, Opur is born!
We follow Opur’s life for well over a decade. Golf is by no means a cheap form of entertainment and Opur has many hurdles to navigate.
I will not spoil the story by telling more of the plot. Instead I will tell you a little more about James Ross. There are people that you take an instant like to and he is one of them. In some ways I suspect that Opur is James. I do know that he loves the game of golf, and he started playing around the the same age.
A week or so ago we had a great phone conversation, it was one that made me chuckle. I am not a golfer, no self respecting golf course would let me within many miles of their hallowed turf. The one and only time I have ever played, I scored 150, oh that was 150 over par!
One of the subjects that came up in our conversation was marketing. Authors today face a big problem, how do you make your book stand out from the 300,000 other new titles published every year? I asked him if he had tried doing book signings at golf courses. After he had finished laughing, he patiently explained that golfers golf, they don’t read books!
NOTE to golfers, in most places golfing is not a year round sport. In the off season pick up some James Ross books, you will enjoy them.
And a note to James Ross, the dialog used in Opur’s Blade by the British commentator was spot on! If you ever turn this into an audio book I want to read that part!
You can pick up your copy of Opur’s Blade by clicking on the Amazon link above.
Simon Barrett”
“I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I am not a big fan of golf (except for the movie - Tin Cup) but this book is about more than just golf. It is about relationships, coming of age, and never giving up.
Wendy B wrote this review Monday, September 13, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
We all have dreams and the main character in this story knew what he wanted and went after it. Opur's Blade was full of surprises, highs and lows, funny parts and at times was very sad.
I thought the character development was very good. I absolutely despised Opur's father, Owen. What a jerk, but at the same he was hilarious! I found myself laughing out loud at his antics. Although I couldn't help but scream at Rayelene (his wife) to just dump the loser. She was no great catch herself though. You find your self falling for Opur right away. He is an incredible young man.
The last half of the book is about one of America's greatest golfing events - "The Classic" which you would think would be boring, but it is so not! Ross includes the drama of the spectators, the golfers, as well as the commentators. I was very interested in the play-by-play action and was rooting for Opur all the way.
Without revealing more of the plot I'll simply say that Opur's Blade was an absolutely delightful book! This was my first exposure to this relatively new author and I think I will be reading more from James Ross. ”0 of 1 members found this review helpful“Author, James Ross, takes us back to Prairie Winds Golf Course in East St. Louis for his latest novel, Opur’s Blade. For those of you who have read Ross’ earlier releases, Lifetime Loser, Finish Line and Tuey’s Course, you will feel like you are reconnecting with friends in the clubhouse.
Sherry T wrote this review Wednesday, July 28, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
J Dub Schroeder, the golf pro at Prairie Winds is back and at the center of things as he discovers a raw golf talent in a young boy named Owen Purler, Jr. This young boy arrives at J Dub’s golf course with his mother, who is seeking to show her son another side of life. Owen’s father is a long hauler and is absent from his son’s life most of the time. He is also not keen on having Owen getting involved in a game they obviously can’t afford.
Turns out though that Owen is quite the golf prodigy and J Dub becomes a somewhat surrogate father helping Opur (as he is nicknamed by the regulars at the golf course) not only refine his golf skills but also to navigate through life and the trauma that he faces early on. Opur falls in love with the game and with the characters that are part of his new family at the course and needs both of them to deal with his tragedies.
The moment I started reading this book I didn’t want to put it down. At the beginning there is more focus on life, passion, sex and dealing with real family issues. Once Opur goes off on his own and finds himself qualifying for the BIGGEST tournament in golf, the story gets heavily into golf and what is happening on the course at the tournament.
Maybe there is too much detail about the hole-by-hole play but Ross does continue to weave valuable lessons throughout the back and forth conversations with Opur and J Dub who is serving as his caddy at the event. All in all you know there is a major struggle going on inside the ropes and inside Opur’s head. The ending was not what I expected at all and I am not sure I liked the ending. What I do know is I want a sequel to this novel sooner rather than later to help me pick up the pieces and get some closure.
Recommendation: Good read even for the non-golfer.
”
Displaying 1-5 of 5
