Against the Grain

By: Phil M. Williams

Narrated by: Tristan Wright, Sarah Grace Wright, GraceWright Productions

A tyrannical high school principal. A young anarchist with nothing left to lose. One way or another, this place is going down.

Matt Moyer is an orphaned teen growing up on a primitive farm in the Pennsylvania coal region. He's homeschooled by his eccentric and philosophical great-uncle, who's a stickler for logic, reason, and intellectual honesty. Despite his uncle's reverence for veracity, inconsistencies arise regarding the old man's shady past and the teen's parents.

Through a harrowing sequence of events, Matt is forced to attend a public school. The feral teen finds it difficult to cope with the hypocrisy, propaganda, and misinformation that adults and children so readily accept. Faced with the possibility of expulsion, arrest, and ostracism, he must make a choice. Will he choose the easy lie or the hard truth?

Adult language and sexual content. Beware of spoilers in the reviews.

©2015 Phil M. Williams (P)2018 Phil M. Williams

Fun and thought Provoking

This was a fun read that really makes you think about how we live and what is lawful and what is moral. It’s not to heavy and moves at a good pace.

I really enjoyed it

I love the story and the message behind it. I now plan to listen to more of his books this one really connected with me.

Thought Provoking Story

This was my first experience with Phil M. Williams' work and on the whole, I enjoyed it. The ideas and concepts which the author presented throughout this story are fascinating and thought provoking. I found the main character to be interesting and engaging. My only concern with the story, was that at times, I felt that the minor characters didn't always act, in ways that people would act. In spite of my disagreement, I am interested in more of this author's work. Tristan Wright's and Sarah Grace Wright's narrations were fine. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily left this review.

Wonderful!

What a wonderful story! It made me laugh and cry. It well worth the listen.

Engaging Read

This book kept my attention from the first chapter! Well-developed characters and a plot with just enough twists and turns kept me tuned into this book every chance I had over the last few days.

Matt's struggles.

The story was good. But I sure don't agree with the author that school and religion are a means to control people. We have to have order in this world. There will always be evil, to overcome.
Having said that, I really liked Matt and all the characters. The story kept me listening into the night.
The dual narration was wonderful. A very nice listen.
Bonus. I picked up a few gardening tips along the way.

Great book!

I agree with the plot line in this book. Every teenager should have the opportunity to voice their opinions and speak their mind. Adults tend to force kids to hold back & want kids to be cookie cutter. People rely too much on factories & stores to provide unhealthy foods, instead of growing their own healthy foods. I have been just as guilty of this! The older I get, the more I realize about life. My brother is 150k in student loan debt, unable to find a job. I owe 37k myself! Is college really necessary for everybody? I don't think so anymore. I would love to go back to the 1800's & live a simple, healthy lifestyle! Of course technology is a great thing, but at what cost?

Worth the Read

Caveat: I received the of the book in return for a review. I thank the author.

I found the novel a mixture of a coming-of-age tale meets the outsider-against-the-system story.

The book fits firmly in the Young Adult category, but it can be enjoyed by anyone. I enjoyed it.

While in parts didactic (the protagonist’s political and philosophical positions standout) the story does not drag. The books mentioned as a part of the protagonist’s education should be read and thought about by all.

The narrators proved adequate.