Nathan's Run

By: John Gilstrap

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

This raw and vivid portrait of juvenile detention centers and life on the run catapults John Gilstrap to the forefront of the crime thriller genre. Nathan Bailey is a 12-year-old juvenile-hall orphan with a problem. Covered in blood, he is caught on videotape fleeing from a murder scene. Will the boy evade the police long enough to tell the truth? Or will a hit man kill him before he gets the chance?

©1996 John Gilstrap (P)1996 Recorded Books

Uncontrolled Caretakers

Nathan Bailey came to live with his Uncle Mark when he was 10 years old. His dad had been killed in a traffic accident. There were no other living relatives.

Nathan and his Uncle Mark did not like one another. His Uncle Mark was an alcoholic who was physically and mentally abusive to Nathan.

Nathan stole Mark's car in an attempt to run away. He was caught and ended up in the Juvenile Detention Center for 18 months. Uncle Mark figured that the time served would do Nathan good. He needed to learn the hard way. It may just correct his insolent behavior.

Mark was trying to make a fast buck. However, he was dealing with the mob and made some very stupid decisions.

Mark was to be paid a significant amount of money to kill Nathan. Instead of completing the job himself, he asked a guard to kill Nathan and when done, Mark would give him a substantial amount of money. The guard, feared by all of the kids, requested that Nathan come to the crisis room. Nathan feared for his life. Nathan was the smallest boy at the JDC and had been bullied from day one. His initiation was to have a broomstick shoved up his rectum over and over by the other boy's. He reported this incident to the same guard and was ignored. He continued to be bullied but never complained again.

Nathan arrived at the crisis room knowing he would be severely harmed or maybe even killed. Sure enough, the guard, drunk as usual, was waiting with the knife.

Nathan was a wiry kid and and smelling the guard's breath, knew he was drunk Nathan defended himself and was able to get the knife. Nathan stabbed the guard and didn't know what to do. He pulled the knife out and caused the wound to bleed more. He killed the guard with the knife that was supposed to kill him.

He took the keys from the guard, barefooted, dressed in the orange suit of the JDC, hanging below his ankles and ran like hell, unlocking doors as he went.

The next shift arrived and found the guard dead in the crisis room.

I read this book all in one sitting. The book caught my interest from page one. The narrator did a great job with each of the individual character's. The book was filled with suspense and kept me on the edge of my seat. There are characters that I would have liked to have gotten my hands on. The one character was taken care of by Nathan. It's a catch 22, kill or be killed. I would encourage others to listen to, Nathan's Run. I'm so glad I was able to raise my own children. However, there are still are good people in this world. There are some edgy scenes laced throughout the book. I don't think that you'll regret purchasing this book.

Heartwarming story of hope and perseverance

I had to do more than just 5 starts for this heartwarming novel. It made me laugh, cry, shout and cuss. Don’t miss this beautiful story!

Young Nathan will win your heart!!

Although this book is listed as a Young Adult read, I found it thoroughly engrossing, thrilling, and heart reaching for this very adult reader!! It reminds me of C J Box's BLUE HEAVEN and the best of Charles Dickens' books about young orphan boys. Don't know how I missed this when it first came out, but am so glad I've found it now. I will definitely add John Gilstrap to my list of favorite authors!!

Nathan Bailey's Mom died when he was a baby, but he had a great life with his Dad, until his Dad was killed in a train wreck when Nathan was 10 years old. Unfortunately, things went rapidly down hill after that. He was placed in his drunken, scum-bag uncle's house. After much abuse, beatings and neglect, Nathan stole his Uncle's car in an effort to get away. He was caught, whereupon his uncle gleefully saw Nathan sent off to a Virginia Juvenile Detention Center for his punishment. After a miserable few months of fighting off bullies and abusers, he found himself in the tiny detention room, fighting for his life with one of the worst guards there. Sheer luck and stealth found Nathan surviving, running from the guard whom Nathan had killed in self defense. Now branded as a cop killer, the whole force of the police and politically motivated Attorney General's office comes down upon him. Continuing to run and hide seems to be Nathan's only hope.

"The Bitch" is a night time radio host who makes her living speaking to callers in shocking honesty. When the topic of "Nathan" comes up, everyone wants to see the "cop killer" caught, but should he be tried as a juvenile or as an adult. Opinions are strong for both sides. Hearing himself talked about, Nathan calls "The Bitch" to give his side of the story. Then it becomes ---is Nathan a murderer or a victim, and why would anyone want to kill a little boy?!? But the action has just begun. Nathan is definitely being pursued by police and a hit man, and the chase continues.

The characters were so well written that I felt like I knew who they were. The suspense drew me in from the very beginning and didn't slow down till the very last word on the very last page!! Nathan definitely won my heart. Great book, John Gilstrap!!

engaging fun

If you could sum up Nathan's Run in three words, what would they be?

Underdog Fun Narration

What did you like best about this story?

The main characters are full of life. The narration by GG is outstanding. It is satisfying and fun.

Which scene was your favorite?

Any scene with the BITCH.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No it just entertains.

Any additional comments?

Will not teach you anything. It is a fun book for the summer!!!!

Hard to turn off

The first few chapters were difficult to get through, but after that it was difficult to put down. Front that point on the book along with excellent narration, keep the reader ever involved the in Nathan's plot. It comes together with a satisfying end.

Excellent

Starts of a little slow, and then grabs you by the heart and won’t let you go.

Love the book and the narration

I loved this book even though the plot was a simple one. It was always moving forward. This was narrated also by my one, and only favorite Narrator. He was the first one I listen to when I got on audible and he is my favorite George Guidall is my top favorite Reader. The book constantly moved with gentle twists and good characterization’s. I loved the plot, even though simple was placed well, and revealed in a mysterious manner. I would enjoy listening to this book again well done.

An emotional ride

I loved the storyline and the realism. It was hard to take at times, making me want to scream and cry, but as I knew it would, it turned out well at the end. I just wish there was an epilogue.

Run Nathan Run!!

This story is highly entertaining and it held my interest throughout. As the publisher's summary provides, Nathan is on the run for his life. Nathan is the underdog (wrongly accused, etc) and I root for children and underdogs, and against scum-bags and greedy relatives. This story is told in a way that's entertaining and suspenseful. As described by one reviewer, Nathan will steal your heart. His grief over the death of his parents and his struggles to survive abuse by the adults in his life, have taught and "schooled" Nathan to the point that he's become "street smart." However, when Nathan's dilemma comes to the attention of "the bitch", a radio host, he stole her heart and all of her listeners' heart as well.... the tide begins to slowly turn in Nathan favor.

George Guidall's outstanding performance brought the story and characters to life. A great read. Highly Recommend.....

Loved this one!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Nathan's Run to be better than the print version?

Yeah, anything Guidall does is awesome.

What did you like best about this story?

Okay let me first preface with, I do not like children in novels and movies. They always seem to get in the way and they are just down right annoying. (think that little brat in Jurassic Park) However, the author did something that no one ever does. He made the kid interesting, intelligent and Nathan didn't always have to have an adult there to...ahem.. "wipe his back side". Nathan was one tough little guy. I loved this story. It was one of the more entertaining ones that I listened to this year. He was not only intelligent, he was cunning, brave, independent and determined. All the qualities that make for a great thriller.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

Guidall is the man. He is the master of the profession. In my opinion it doesn't get better than this guy. He was the reason I bought the book at first.