Discussion: New novel about orienteering called Forest Runner
in: Orienteering; General
Apr 11, 2019 1:06 PM
#
dkp:
In time for the spring orienteering season comes the release of the semi-autobiographical novel Forest Runner by David Pruden. The book is available on Amazon in Kindle or paperback form.
During orienteering season do you get questions like, “You did what?” or “What’s that like?”
This novel is an easy way to answer those questions, or as Mary Jo Childs puts it:
“Let me grab the book. I waited too long to start making notes, but I do have some which I want to share. I’ll start by saying that I loved it. Unlike other books, or stories, yours allow the reader to be out there in the forest with you. Whether it was the Billygoat Legs, other races in various states, or the adventures with your brother, Rick, each captured the essence of what it can feel like to run freely and mindfully through the natural world.”
Mary Jo Childs
Former national team member
Here is what Kris Beecroft said about Forest Runner:
“I started your book yesterday morning and just finished it. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I can tell you that I thought it was wonderful. I found myself looking forward to getting the chance to get back to reading it. I loved how you went back and forth between the race and your life. I liked it all.”
Kris Beecroft
Former national team member
If someone wants to know what it is like to go orienteering, besides actually doing it, this book is a good way for them to experience the sport.
Here is the Amazon description:
Forest Runner is a semi-autobiographical story of one person’s journey through life. At the end of an orienteering enthusiast’s life there are still mysteries. How does a life-long love for forest running begin? Why return to the pursuits of youth? What childhood events instigate our passions? Was anything learned from a life of running in the woods? And finally, was the lesson worth the effort? Forest Runner attempts to answer these questions.
This is a story about how a person transitions from youth to adulthood through his interaction with nature. In the story, each forest run or race brings with it lessons that elicit spiritual and personal growth in the protagonist. This work is the reflection of an established and experienced man who looks back and questions the value of the time he spent running amongst trees.
The story is told in three story lines. The main story line is about an old man running in one of his last races of his life. The race is described by the old man acting as the narrator. This main story line serves as the framework to hold two series of flashbacks about the narrator’s interactions with forests, with running, and with his family. One series of flashbacks tells stories about non-racing events that affected the narrator and the other series of flashbacks relate lessons learned from racing in the forest. Each flashback reveals a deeper answer to the mysteries of the narrator’s life.
Forest Runner tells how the narrator navigated the journey of life while recounting his current forest running experience. It describes this lifelong passion, how his childhood made it his passion, and what he learned from it.
Consider reading Forest Runner and tell your inquisitive friends about it.
During orienteering season do you get questions like, “You did what?” or “What’s that like?”
This novel is an easy way to answer those questions, or as Mary Jo Childs puts it:
“Let me grab the book. I waited too long to start making notes, but I do have some which I want to share. I’ll start by saying that I loved it. Unlike other books, or stories, yours allow the reader to be out there in the forest with you. Whether it was the Billygoat Legs, other races in various states, or the adventures with your brother, Rick, each captured the essence of what it can feel like to run freely and mindfully through the natural world.”
Mary Jo Childs
Former national team member
Here is what Kris Beecroft said about Forest Runner:
“I started your book yesterday morning and just finished it. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I can tell you that I thought it was wonderful. I found myself looking forward to getting the chance to get back to reading it. I loved how you went back and forth between the race and your life. I liked it all.”
Kris Beecroft
Former national team member
If someone wants to know what it is like to go orienteering, besides actually doing it, this book is a good way for them to experience the sport.
Here is the Amazon description:
Forest Runner is a semi-autobiographical story of one person’s journey through life. At the end of an orienteering enthusiast’s life there are still mysteries. How does a life-long love for forest running begin? Why return to the pursuits of youth? What childhood events instigate our passions? Was anything learned from a life of running in the woods? And finally, was the lesson worth the effort? Forest Runner attempts to answer these questions.
This is a story about how a person transitions from youth to adulthood through his interaction with nature. In the story, each forest run or race brings with it lessons that elicit spiritual and personal growth in the protagonist. This work is the reflection of an established and experienced man who looks back and questions the value of the time he spent running amongst trees.
The story is told in three story lines. The main story line is about an old man running in one of his last races of his life. The race is described by the old man acting as the narrator. This main story line serves as the framework to hold two series of flashbacks about the narrator’s interactions with forests, with running, and with his family. One series of flashbacks tells stories about non-racing events that affected the narrator and the other series of flashbacks relate lessons learned from racing in the forest. Each flashback reveals a deeper answer to the mysteries of the narrator’s life.
Forest Runner tells how the narrator navigated the journey of life while recounting his current forest running experience. It describes this lifelong passion, how his childhood made it his passion, and what he learned from it.
Consider reading Forest Runner and tell your inquisitive friends about it.
Apr 11, 2019 11:02 PM
#
Just ordered it -- the preview pages were very enticing! And such good recommendations. ;-)
Apr 12, 2019 4:18 PM
#
Ordered on Kindle for $2.99. Now into the first chapter driving to the Billygoat.
Apr 12, 2019 10:13 PM
#
Geoman! I saw it for free on the Kindle. I don’t have one so I got a paperback and have to wait to get it, but maybe DP gets more money that way at least.
Apr 17, 2019 2:12 PM
#
You can certainly have your opinion about something, but why trash it on a public forum, especially when the author is a member of this community?
Apr 17, 2019 3:01 PM
#
Apropos of nothing of importance, what is it even supposed to mean to insert two question marks into the middle of a sentence?
Apr 18, 2019 12:44 AM
#
An interesting article I bumped into recently
Amazon Reviews Are Not To Be Trusted: Report
Amazon Reviews Are Not To Be Trusted: Report
Apr 18, 2019 3:06 AM
#
Sometime in 2015, almost 50% of Amazon reviews had more than 30% fake reviews. I am almost 15% disinclined to believe this.
Jun 2, 2019 3:06 AM
#
Just finished "Forest Runner" this morning. A book about the journey of Dave Pruden's life and how it is interwoven with orienteering. Well written and poignant. This is a novel that orienteers will enjoy. Dave Pruden is a talented writer within our midst.
This discussion thread is closed.