John William Barry and Neil Countryman, though just fictional characters in David Guterson’s newest novel, The Other
First, we all three graduated in 1974 from high school. We “were of the generation that was slightly late for the zeal of the sixties and slightly early for disco. The most popular song, I think, in ‘74 was ‘Takin’ Care of Business’ by Bachman-Turner Overdrive, though the Doobie Brothers were also esteemed. . . . We were seven when JFK was killed, twelve when King was killed, and fourteen when four students were killed at Kent State, but by the time we were old enough to fathom ‘the Zeitgeist’ (a term getting play in ‘74), there was detente, H-bomb drills were quaint, and there was no more draft. . . . Gerald Ford became president in ‘74 and began hitting people with golf balls . . . .”
Second, we all three ran the 880 in high school track. Again, in Countryman’s (Guterson’s) voice: “Ask any track coach. The half-mile is a race for unadulterated masochists. Neither a sprint nor a distance event, it has the worst qualities of both. It’s not a glorious race, either. A lot of people can name a sprinter or two — Carl Lewis, for example — or a famous miler like Roger Bannister, but can very many name even a single half-miler? No athletic romance attaches to the half-mile. It’s not a legendary or even notable feat to beat other runners over 880 yards. At track meets, the half-mile contest is somehow lost between more compelling competitions, an event that unfolds while fans thumb their programs or use the bathroom. Into this gap of a race, this sideshow, step runners in search of a deeper agony than they can find elsewhere. They want to do battle with suffering itself. It’s the trauma they want, the anguished ordeal. It’s the approximately two minutes of self-mortification or private crucifixion. All half-milers have a similar love of pain. So this race is an intimation and an opening. In two minutes’ time, you get a glimpse.”
Guterson’s novel is about a wealthy, tortured young man, John William Barry, who takes up a primitive existence in the wilderness (Think: “Into the Wild,” if you’ve read Jon Krakauer’s book or seen Sean Penn’s movie) to escape all the lies and hypocrisies he sees all around him.
But even more it’s about the devoted friendship of Countryman. The more strange his friend becomes — when it’s clear he’s more of an obsessed, self-focused survivalist than a wilderness hobbyist — the more he thinks about putting the friendship behind him.
I thought these words were powerful: “I left in the morning, and for a month I didn’t go to the cave anymore, or to the trailer on the Hoh, preferring my own life, preferring it unencumbered by any duty to my friend, or by the necessity I’d felt, for three and a half years now, to put up with him. Walking from building to building on campus, or reading at the library on a rainy afternoon, I thought I’d finally let John William slip into the past. Most friendships end with a whimper, not a bang, and I considered letting ours end that way, but this, as it turned out, was a fantasy with no force behind it. There was this loyalty I felt, however strange.”
That’s what moved me as I read this novel. The loyalty. Toward a friend — even as the friend proved to be difficult and strange.
I’ve been blessed with such friends. I’ve been carried and nourished by their loyalty.
What a great blessing!
Half-miler who needs discipline but not flashiness; raised by dreamers of “Greatest generation” while being aware of society’s problems; aware of need for friendship–sounds like the making of a minister.
This book sounds good. I’ll add it to my mile-long list.
One little mistake I noticed. RFK was the one killed when the boy was 7—not JFK. That may’ve been your typo; not his.
My mistake. Sorry. I was zoning in on the fact he graduated from HS in ‘74. I was 8 when JFK was killed & graduated from HS in ‘72. I was confused.
As a co-graduate-from-different-schools of 1974 this brought back many memories, Mike. I remember seeing President Kennedy in a motorcade in downtown Colorado Springs when I was in the first grade. They let us out of school. It was very cool. Then he died on my mother’s birthday the next year and we were so sad. I remember watching his funeral on my grandma’s tv. Fast forward to Kent State and I vividly remember how appalled I was at the fact that those innocents had been slain. My mother and I clashed over that in what was to become a moment that defined our relationship for years to come. Don’t even make me think about track. And I longed for a friend like Countryman. Back then I didn’t have one. Or at least I didn’t think I did. Today I do. Thank YOU God!! It makes me wonder how many of our high school kids today are feeling alone right now and are wishing for a deep friendship that goes beyond sports/hair straighteners/gossip/tv/movies. Do they need a Countryman who will stick by them no matter what they end up looking like?
Alberto Juanterana
As a track coach, I always thought the 800 was exciting. I always knew the girl that ran that race could be counted on for everything. They were the mainstay of the team.
As a 880 runner in high school and college both–I found it to be totally different than you described. I found it to be a very enjoyable and notable feat to beat other runners. You ought to see my newspaper clippings–Especially those from the competing school newspaper where I beat the fellow at every track meet that both schools competed–[the fellow who beat me the year before.] Each race my time was faster and at State the headline proclaimed that I would push __________ to a new record which I did. The only downer was that we both broke the old record and if I could done a repeat race against _________ I would have beat him.
But to your important premise–Friends who stick with you in thick and thin are God’s blessing.
I ran the 800 about 4 or 5 times in junior high. I vividly remember finishing in last at one of them. What the heck would ever want to run a half mile for anyways? (just kidding)
I already did my morning run. Maybe I’ll lace back up and give the old half mile one more try this evening.
Jonathan Johnson. State champion from AHS, Conference champion at Texas Tech, Olympic trials champion in 2004.
(Yes, I like track too. It gets you in shape for FOOTBALL!)
An old friend and I haven’t talked in ages. When I read the line about most friendships ending “with a whimper,” it convicted me that it is time to give her a call. Thanks!
I want you to know that I am going to order the novel.
I have ordered Sot McKights new book The Parakeet, and John Frye’s book Out of Print. Both John’s book and Scot’s book is going to be well worth the time to read. I can’ wait to get my copies. Again thanks for letting us know about this other book. I hope you and your family have a great weekend.
I am sorry, Soct’s book is BLue Paraket. Well worth the purchase and read. John Frye is very talented and has a new book again called “out of Print” Can’t wait to read all three of these books. Thank you mike for letting us know about this new book. I can’t wait to starting reading it. You can find both Scot McKnights book and John Frye’s book at Amazon
This the last time I am going say anything on this post but needed to share it with everyone. One of the books that has changed my life and is one of my favorite books I have read and I read it at least every couple of months is “A Holy Hunger” by Mike Cope. It is fantastic! I want to challenge every want to challenge every believer to purchase a cope it is definately worth the reaD and I know each of you will be blessed. I is one of my favorites.