Thirty years ago I was a student at Cal State University at Bakersfield, CA. where I met Dr. Kim Flachmann, English prof extraordinaire, and head of the college’s writing program.
One of the first things I did when my novel “Everywhere She’s Not” was out was send Dr. Flachmann a copy of it, because . . . she’s awesome, and I’ve never stopped being grateful for everything she helped me learn about writing.
She has also remained, I know, an uncompromising critic. So . . . I knew I’d also be letting myself in for that, but whatever. I still wanted her to read the novel, because of course.
Here’s the letter Dr. Flachmann wrote me a couple of weeks ago. I wasn’t particularly eager to share it, because it was a private email. But I asked her if I could, and she said yes, absolutely and of course, so . . . here’s what she wrote me:
Dearest John,
I just finished Everywhere She’s Not, and I’m sitting on the couch with tears running down my face. It is absolutely sensational. I love the content; I love the form; I love your voice as a writer. One of the many ways I respond to books as I read them is to rewrite sentences, think of changes I would make, and add missing words or images. One of the many reasons I love this book is because I wouldn’t change a word of it. You always say what I expected or something better. Your word choice is masterful. Your tone is masterful. Your story is masterful. And your mind is the most masterful of all. I can’t imagine unraveling this entire story the way you did, and creating it is a work of genius.
It took the virus to give me time to finish it, and I loved every word of it.
"It’s not easy to tell a story that is filled with hilarious humor, the pangs of love lost, excruciatingly sad family life and deep, deep inner circumspection that ultimately uplifts your soul, but John has done just that. I highly recommend you read this book; you will thank me later." — Jon Mayes, Advance Reading Copy
"Deeply engrossing . . . a highly satisfying reading experience . . . Shore's writing is so stylistically on target that the language itself falls away, allowing the reader to enter into the subtleties of the story completely. . . . Shore’s protagonist is authentically funny and rawly sympathetic . . . This novel stands apart for its originality. It is a testament to the notion that the strongest works are often those with simple storylines, exceptionally told. 10 out of 10." — Publisher's Weekly BookLife Prize 2019
"A powerfully compelling introspective look at life. . . This is a harrowing and fascinating novel." — Readers' Favorite
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