Timothy M. Shannon

1965 Journey to a Rich Land Timothy M. Shannon

Set in upstate New York, 1965 - Journey to a Rich Land, follows the exploits of the protagonist, Kevin Patrick, a 14 year old who moves from Syracuse, N. Y. to a small town that is quietly sitting out the changes of the 1960's. Told from the perspective of multiple well-drawn characters, the tale takes a close look at the mores of a small town.

When Kevin's family moves to Podunk, he finds himself alone and ostracized.  Gangs and troubles at school plague him as he struggles to gain acceptance. Kevin becomes infatuated with Deedee, a beautiful young girl who lives in an abusive home.  He befriends Possum and Mary, a brother and a sister who grow up in an alcoholic household with thirteen children. 


Faced with a brutal blizzard, the two murderers of a State Trooper stalking the town, the arrest of Possum and the eventual death of Deedee, the friends struggle to make sense of the world around them.

A lively and sensitive tale employing humor and insight, the story draws the reader into the lives of Kevin and his friends.  It touches on universal themes through the positive and negative behaviors of the characters.