tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post4377757398218874478..comments2024-03-17T13:13:58.214-07:00Comments on Blue-Hearted Bookworm: Neglected Author: Don RobertsonBybeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10061186489010154661noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-27731664995711036312022-01-30T14:45:19.460-08:002022-01-30T14:45:19.460-08:00I've suggested Robertson to the Library of Ame...I've suggested Robertson to the Library of America -- who knows if they'll ever do an edition of his books? It's a sin that Harper never reprinted any more of his work after the Morris Bird trilogy. There are still a few of his titles that I haven't read yet, but I've never read one that I could call a disappointment. And if I could write something one/thousandth as good as Mystical Union, I would die a happy man.Tony Rabighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15917278125417077041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-35463500009994481702021-10-03T17:41:06.175-07:002021-10-03T17:41:06.175-07:00I really enjoyed A Flag Full of Stars. I read it i...I really enjoyed A Flag Full of Stars. I read it in my 1960s young teen years and its characters and atmosphere has stayed with me through the decades. I understand his widow reads the Facebook fan page now and then, and I'm hoping to be able to thank her directly for the pleasure. Anyway, hooray for Don, and I'm looking forward to getting into the other novels. Zingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07674805253572473203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-42139570092940498842020-07-13T11:30:41.653-07:002020-07-13T11:30:41.653-07:00I read Paradise Falls in high back around 1971. Ov...I read Paradise Falls in high back around 1971. Over the years I thougth about that book often but could not recall the title or the author. But during the coronavirus lock down the Don Robertson's name popped into my head for some reason and I located a copy of the book. Just finished reading it and I enjoyed the 1000+ pages immensely. I read quite of few of his books back in the 70s, but since so many spoke highly of Praise the Human Season I just ordered it. As a weird aside....next year my wife and I are attending the Washboard festival in Logan Ohio, and it just happens to be the place where Don is buried so I plan to take a quick visit over to his grave to say hi!<br />RJoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998947594862842147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-6148031159960072212014-07-19T05:11:38.025-07:002014-07-19T05:11:38.025-07:00I read Paradise Falls in 1968. It was on a bookshe...I read Paradise Falls in 1968. It was on a bookshelf in my house and it was the middle of the night and I was a sophomore in high school who was reading my way through the shelves in our front hall. I think I read it again over the next few years and as an adult have looked for it because the story of Ada Masonbrink Seeds and her hatpin was stuck in my memory. I recently found a hard cover copy of Volume II at a local(New York City) bookstore. I couldn't have been more delighted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-9603376892680659372013-09-04T12:35:01.022-07:002013-09-04T12:35:01.022-07:00I created a fan site for Don Robertson on Facebook...I created a fan site for Don Robertson on Facebook. Please like the page and contribute your stories, memories, reviews, photos, etc. Thanks.<br /><br />https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fans-of-author-Don-Robertson/192019810969577Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13107019781536980037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-45338453539189866822013-08-29T15:22:25.632-07:002013-08-29T15:22:25.632-07:00I did not know that this blog existed. I am not o...I did not know that this blog existed. I am not only a fan of Don Robertson, but I am honored to have know him. I first met him at a writers' workshop at Cuyahoga Community College, and he was gracious enough to give me pointers on my writing themes and insight on the development of my characters. His gracious phone conversations and his willingness to read my rewrites will never be forgotten.<br />I treasure my autograph copies of all his novels. Thank you, Don.MaiaCerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15431464187078790494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-5847002348551692052012-09-13T10:24:44.098-07:002012-09-13T10:24:44.098-07:00Found an old copy of _Paradise Falls_ and it now r...Found an old copy of _Paradise Falls_ and it now resides on my bookshelf next to PTHS. Currently am working on a novel set in Oberlin in the 1890s, so thought PF would help me with the research :). Any excuse!Lauralewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13899810561123775484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-14098062150258239512012-07-14T20:26:44.009-07:002012-07-14T20:26:44.009-07:00I grew up in a suburb of Cleveland. I LOVED Don Ro...I grew up in a suburb of Cleveland. I LOVED Don Robertson's books because I could relate to everything he experienced in his books. I have been looking for his books for years so I can share them with my husband and other family members. Tell me what I can do to get his books re-introduced into the mainstream bookstores. These are CLASSICS novels that should not go unnoticed.Susannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-32236802988195759562011-09-24T20:53:10.375-07:002011-09-24T20:53:10.375-07:00I began reading Don Robertson as a very young teen...I began reading Don Robertson as a very young teenager in the early 1970s. Although I did go on to get a PhD in English Literature, he remains an influence that still guides me. His books make a believable link between historical events and human needs and desires. He understood the human heart in a way few writers can. Certain scenes are still indelible in my mind: Margaret Ridpath bites through a tooth while playing six spades, doubled and redoubled. Morris Bird III's grandmother begs him for more morphine. Julie Sutton cries when Morris cannot make love to her. Floyd Sherman absconds with a bunch of women's dresses.<br /><br />What a brilliant writer he was.Hilary Turnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-66939206717849160952011-02-08T13:54:26.218-08:002011-02-08T13:54:26.218-08:00Yes, we do come out of the woodwork sometimes, Lau...Yes, we do come out of the woodwork sometimes, Lauralew. If only long enough to get another book.gloriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08638520413640392290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-88848212987165490812011-02-08T13:40:42.293-08:002011-02-08T13:40:42.293-08:00I worked at a book store in the Midwest in 1975 an...I worked at a book store in the Midwest in 1975 and read Praise the Human Season during slow times. Now I have my own copy and have re-read it several times--interesting to see how my take on the characters has changed along with me. Absolutely remains one of my favorite novels. I went on a Don Robertson tear after PTHS and read Paradise Falls, The Greatest Thing... and a couple of other works. Until today, I was the only person I'd met who had read him; found out that a new friend of mine reads him also. We occasionally come out of the woodwork :).Lauralewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13899810561123775484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-51643309654096251172010-04-12T18:02:52.473-07:002010-04-12T18:02:52.473-07:00Sorry, I tried to put a spoiler alert on my previo...Sorry, I tried to put a spoiler alert on my previous post, but the program wouldn't accept my tags. My apologies to anyone currently reading The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened. Go ahead and finish it, you'll love it anyway. Heck, you knew what was going to happen the first chapter in, we all did. But we had to finish it, right, who could put down a book like that, foreshadowing or not.gloriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08638520413640392290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-16949814130609678382010-04-12T17:58:16.758-07:002010-04-12T17:58:16.758-07:00<>
Speaking of making his books into movies....<><br />Speaking of making his books into movies. ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!! I caught the last 40 minutes of a movie based on The Greatest Thing That Almost Happened. (Swimming Upstream) And I can honestly say what almost happened was my lunch making an unwelcome reappearance. It wasn't bad enough that the actors seemed drugged or had only gotten the script the day before filming, but the end of the movie left you thinking (and rightly so) that Morris had died, only to ruin the whole book by tagging on a hideous written epilogue before the credits stating Morris had "made it" and was now helping other kids with terminal diseases. I sat in stunned silence. Funny I would receive your update today of all days. Poetic justice perhaps.gloriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08638520413640392290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-21928904953798633252010-04-12T17:48:08.765-07:002010-04-12T17:48:08.765-07:00Without question, Praise the Human Season is one o...Without question, Praise the Human Season is one of the best novels of all time. Robertson captures the essence of life in a writing style that is truly wonderous. They should make this into a movie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-91743976621179400832009-12-13T21:29:04.221-08:002009-12-13T21:29:04.221-08:00I discovered Don Robertson's work back in the ...I discovered Don Robertson's work back in the mid-70s when I received Praise the Human Season as a Literary Guild selection. I never forgot it and decided to reread it last year (2008). Now I want to read ALL of his work! So far I've gotten through Paradise Falls, Miss Margaret Ridpath and the Dismantling of the Universe, the Morris Bird trilogy and The Ideal Genuine Man. Next is Make a Wish, and I have Mystical Union, Victoria at Nine and Harv sitting here waiting. I hope to make it through all of his work by the end of 2010. I am trying to find affordable copies of Barb and The Forest of Arden - any suggestions? Email is collinsje5@sbcglobal.net.<br /><br />By the way, Ridpath is a wonderful book, but I suggest reading Paradise Falls first so that you get the many references.<br /><br />Of all his books, at least so far, Praise the Human Season is still my favorite. It surprises me that it wasn't made into a movie!Jer from Chicagonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-11813316691378516712009-10-23T15:33:57.779-07:002009-10-23T15:33:57.779-07:00The trilogy has been recently republished, my CO b...The trilogy has been recently republished, my CO bought me "The Greatest Thing Since..." for a end of year gift when I was 19 (now 20)...I was hooked, I laughed, I cried, I was mesmerized.<br /><br />I am working at "The Sum..." right now, as soon as I am done that, I am moving on to "The Greatest Thing That..." I feel such a connection to these books. Don Robertson is such an amazing writer. <br /><br />The re-published books can be found here...<br /><br />http://www.amazon.ca/Greatest-Thing-Since-Sliced-Bread/dp/0061452963/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256337114&sr=1-1<br /><br />http://www.amazon.ca/Greatest-Thing-That-Almost-Happened/dp/0061868140/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256337114&sr=1-9<br /><br />George Kays<br />georgekays@hotmail.comGeorge A. Kaysnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-90631848899591510822009-06-01T20:50:14.257-07:002009-06-01T20:50:14.257-07:00In response to illustrator, I, too, found Little B...In response to illustrator, I, too, found Little Big Man around the same time that I found Greatest Thing. For me, they will always be linked and mark a true milestone in my life.Gloria Slaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-58566961196038558362009-06-01T19:57:42.064-07:002009-06-01T19:57:42.064-07:00Bybee,
I'm an old illustrator who has little time ...Bybee,<br />I'm an old illustrator who has little time for the web, but when I do find a moment I often put in Don Robertson's name and pray that someone else has found him.<br />I was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany in 1965-66 and found "Greatest Thing..." at the post library. I was hooked. Since then I've read them all and believe you could string them together chronologically to create the Great American Novel.<br />I also found "Little Big Man" in the same library. Thanks U.S.Army for finding a great selector of books.illustratorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02348415162039200058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-43111443265088087722009-03-27T01:39:00.000-07:002009-03-27T01:39:00.000-07:00I am SO jazzed to see others who love the Morris B...I am SO jazzed to see others who love the Morris Bird III books as much as I do. I first read them when I was in my early 20's, again in my late 30's and yet again in my 40's. They just seem to get better and better every time! <BR/><BR/>My mother-in-law originally suggested them to me and I checked each of the three books out from the library. A few years back I found "Sliced Bread" at a thrift store. What a find!! Though it is a worn paperback, I cherish it greatly. <BR/><BR/>I handed it to my 91 year old mother last week. She read it in three days and just loved it. <BR/><BR/>What great news to hear the Sum and Total of Now is coming out soon. I'll be buying it for sure. Since I'm now in my 50's, it's definately time for me to read them again.<BR/><BR/>When I first read the story (I always think of the three books as one long story) it, of course, made me cry BIGTIME. I didn't know during the first two readings that my own son would eventually be diagnosed with leukemia. Lucky for us the medical world now knows how to treat this disease. Because of this my sons story turned out quite different than Morris Bird III's did, as he has been cancer free for six years.<BR/><BR/>Oh dear, I didn't mean to go on for so long... Oh well... <BR/><BR/>Onward, ever onward.Martihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12291984262432962999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-33536137751895545692009-03-27T01:26:00.000-07:002009-03-27T01:26:00.000-07:00I am SO jazzed to see others who love the Morris B...I am SO jazzed to see others who love the Morris Bird III books as much as I do. I first read them when I was in my early 20's, again in my late 30's and yet again in my 40's. They just seem to get better and better every time! <BR/><BR/>My mother-in-law originally suggested them to me and I checked each of the three books out from the library. A few years back I found "Sliced Bread" at a thrift store. What a find!! Though it is a worn paperback, I cherish it greatly. <BR/><BR/>I handed it to my 91 year old mother last week. She read it in three days and just loved it. <BR/><BR/>What great news to hear the Sum and Total of Now is coming out soon. I'll be buying it for sure. Since I'm now in my 50's, it's definately time for me to read them again.<BR/><BR/>When I first read the story (I always think of the three books as one long story) it, of course, made me cry BIGTIME. I didn't know during the first two readings that my own son would eventually be diagnosed with leukemia. Lucky for us the medical world now knows how to treat this disease. Because of this my sons story turned out quite different than Morris Bird III's did, as he has been cancer free for six years.<BR/><BR/>Oh dear, I didn't mean to go on for so long... Oh well... <BR/><BR/>Onward, ever onward.Martihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12291984262432962999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-25889563038208498052008-11-25T19:27:00.000-08:002008-11-25T19:27:00.000-08:00Miami Heat,You definitely made my day! Thanks for...Miami Heat,<BR/>You definitely made my day! Thanks for the heads-up. I'll do a new blog post about this. Great news!Bybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10061186489010154661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-68269993861905423762008-11-25T12:52:00.000-08:002008-11-25T12:52:00.000-08:00Update: It does look like the next Don Robertson b...Update: It does look like the next Don Robertson book (<I> The Sum and Total of Now</I>) in the Morris Bird III trilogy is being reissued!<BR/><BR/>Amazon now has it listed with a release date of 8/4/2009.<BR/><BR/>See: http://www.amazon.com/Sum-Total-Now-Don-Robertson/dp/0425230848/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227645977&sr=1-2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-82129026102747318252008-10-15T12:20:00.000-07:002008-10-15T12:20:00.000-07:00To Mr. Peter S. Beagle: I ordered the movie "The ...To Mr. Peter S. Beagle: I ordered the movie "The Greatest Thing that Almost Happened" and it made me cry my eyes out. I saw it in prime time in high school and it had the same effect on me then. I had no idea it would tell me the ending of "The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread" which I'm currently reading now. Oh, well. And your movie contains some of James Earl Jones' best work. I wanna write more, but it would take up a whole page.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-28339827879148473122008-09-05T20:17:00.000-07:002008-09-05T20:17:00.000-07:00I used to lift a glass or two with Don at Pat Joyc...I used to lift a glass or two with Don at Pat Joyce's in downtown Cleveland...always fun, but a bit gruff. I have since collected and read all his books and have made provision to donate the entire collection to Denison University's library in Granville, OH (my alma mater). It is with the understanding that the collection will be kept together and not just distributed through the stacks.<BR/><BR/>All his works trace back (or sometimes forward) to Paradise Falls. I am astonished at what a fine storyteller he was. There was a rumor that he had a very long manuscript almost ready to publish at the time of his death. Perhaps his widow, Sheri, could shed some light on this.<BR/><BR/>Whatever...READ HIM!!<BR/><BR/>Dale Hamilton<BR/>Christiansburg, VAUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12695810203336677145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604938.post-2493980770423173122008-06-22T13:39:00.000-07:002008-06-22T13:39:00.000-07:00Woo-hoo! Around Father's Day, "The Greatest Thing ...Woo-hoo! Around Father's Day, "The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread" was featured in the window of our local Border's Books. There was a lovely display of the re released edition. Nice artwork on the cover. Getting some long-overdue attention. I wonder if this was a nationwide thing with Border's or unique to the Rochester, NY area? Either way, I was thrilled. I wanted to grab people passing the display and say, "Hey, look, it's Morris Bird the Third! You've gotta read this!" But, I restrained myself. Now I wish I hadn't.<BR/><BR/>~gloriagloriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08638520413640392290noreply@blogger.com