Leaving Montana

By: Thomas Whaley

Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Saying that Benjamin Sean Quinn had "anger issues" was an understatement. For those who knew him for the shortest amount of time, his life was in order: He was physically fit, had a great job which provided him a house in the suburbs and the material things he desired, a loving, monogamous relationship, two happy, healthy daughters and an established circle of friends. In all accounts, his life seemed perfect. But to those who knew him the longest, they knew he was an idle grenade, waiting for someone to pull the pin.

For decades, Ben did his best to conquer his demons; to suppress the anger he accumulated towards his parents, Carmella and Sean, throughout their tumultuous marriage. Ben was their only child; forced to witness and experience things that most adults couldn't even try to handle. He could not escape them or the anger, and no matter how hard he tried, as he matured, it became a part of him. Ben strived to end the toxic cycle and avoid adopting their pattern as part of his own life. By the time he reached his early thirties, he finally seemed to have it all under control. Then Ben's father told him a "secret".

One left in Montana when he and Carmella were stationed there forty years earlier. It would exhume the painful memories and suppressed anger that Ben had been avoiding for years and force him to relive his past in order to face his future. Today Benjamin Sean Quinn boards a plane to Billings, Montana. It was time to face the secret head on and let go of the anger that silently ruled his life. It would be the boldest move he ever made, ultimately changing his life and the lives of those around him.

Leaving Montana is the recipient of both the 2015 Eric Hoffer Award for a Small Press Published work and also the 2015 National Indie Excellence Book Award for Literary Fiction!

©2014 Thomas Whaley (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Loved It

Great book, kept my attention all the way to the end, amazing audio delivery, loved it. Will be reading again, every chapter was received amazingly do recommend you give it a read.

Not what I thought - It's Much Better

I was apprehensive to get this to say the least. I didn't want to drown in the angst of an angry man. I couldn't have been more wrong in my initial judgement of this book. It was a journey filled with confusion, pain, divided loyalties, and self honesty. It was a journey every divorced parent and child should listen to through their own journeys. The scars we can project on others through our own decisions and coping is something we all should keep in mind. This was sad in some parts, some parts scary, some anguish, but there were moments of lightness, of laughter, and deep satisfaction in the turns of the story. I truly enjoyed going on this path with Ben.

SPECIAL NOTE: The narration was superb. This may be a case of the narration making a good book even better. Well done.

Highly Recommend

I loved it.

Leaving Montana is a sad story, tragic in so many ways. A story about a young woman with her whole future in front of her; about the choices she makes; about how her choices don't only affect her; about how others make choices for her. It's about the turmoil of a doomed marriage filled with abuse and deceit.

I found this book quite by accident and I am so glad that I did. I was originally searching for books with a particular narrator and I came across this one.

It touched me on many levels: It takes place on Long Island, where I grew up and it's mostly about an Italian/American family... Same as my family, including all of the colorful dynamics. I'm a father of a young teenage daughter and this book is a reminder to me of how I should love and lift up my daughter without trying to make choices for her.

I highly recommend this book by First time author and New York State teacher of the year Thomas Whaley.

Mark Boyett's Long Island accents are absolutely spot on it. This book was very nostalgic for me.

Depressing story

This book was really just about how a man who can't control his anger repeatedly abuses his wife and son. If I wanted to read such a depressing story I'd pick up the newspaper, not some fictional story. I shouldn't have wasted my time listening to this book.

Great storytelling to an interesting story!

Mr. Whaley captures a bit childhood perceptions and how they effect us in this great life story. You become a part of this family's ups and downs wanting to see what becomes of each character! Nicely done! Easy to read and totally captures your attention throughout! My kind of book! Can't wait for the next story from this emerging author!

Wonderful story and narration!

This book is a captivating jewel. Written in the first person, the narrator recounts an appalling marriage and its consequences for their only son. Told with humor, insight, warmth and optimism, it's a delightful listen.
You'll sniffle, giggle and become thoroughly absorbed.
I loved it.

Nice Listen

I liked the narrator. He brought the book to life for me. Soul searching. Forgiveness is key to move on with our lives.

Outstanding and Brilliantly Written

Leaving Montana is outstanding and brilliantly written. Each and every supportive character comes to life with such depth that every one them could become a book. This book is a powerful gem as it delves into the complexities of relationships, the people who influence our perceptions of ourselves, self acceptance and healing.

Good but needed some direction

Mr Whaley is a pretty good story teller, he kept my attention til the end. However, the this novel was like going for a trip somewhere but looking out the rear window the whole time - You dont really know where you are going or why.

Wonderful !

This was an excellent story. I couldn’t stop listening.
I finished the story in two days. The narrator was wonderful.