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The Bottom of the Sky, a gritty debut novel, is an aching rags-to-riches family saga that springs from rural Montana squalor into the power chambers of Wall Street and Silicon Valley. Inside this human panorama unfolds the contrasting 30-year struggles of an abused sister and brother who, after one abandons the other, seek to claim themselves from their abhorrent legacy. It is a bare-knuckled tour de force. The novel deals head-on with childhood shame, promiscuity, prejudice and Wall Street's rape of Main Street. It is a tale of genius, madness and violence, one of extraordinary sacrifice and discovery in a quest for redemption. It is a journey of hidden destiny.
This poignant family journey watches dispossessed children become woman and man, rising and buckling from their condemnable legacy, craving what they cannot have, loving whom they must, hating what they cannot reconcile. Truth resides within their wounds. The Bottom of the Sky examines courage and commitment, treachery and savagery, both employed and suffered for survival and passion. Written by a native Montanan and former EVP of a Wall Street giant, it deals head on with incest, investment scams, classism, sexual harassment, conspiracies and brutality. It is taut and heart-wrenching … and sometimes funny. It is tender and raw and surprising until the shocking end.
The Bottom of the Sky follows the journey of the Monroe family, young Levi and his sister, Lam, from a small impoverished existence in rural Montana to the high-powered world of Wall Street. Struggling with the pain of abandoning Lam behind at home, the scars of his childhood and his moral dilemmas follow Levi up the ladderof success. Eventually faced with his downfall, Levi returns to the place where his fire exulted to sift the ashes of guilt, hardships and buried secrets. It is a story of lives conjoined through time by tangled bonds, one crafted from the elements of sacrifice, redemption, forgiveness and solace.
Winner 2009 One Book Billings Award
Finalist, Best Book 2009 Awards, in the category of Literature and Fiction: General Category - USA Book News
TheonaMarshall
Posted February 24, 2009
A spiral bound version of The Bottom of the Sky was passed to me by a friend in California who belongs to a library association and has met the author. She recommended it, claiming she read it in only two days. I gave the book a try, and I am stunned. The power, poignancy, and topicality of this raw work of art are so moving. My God. Where in the world has William Pack been? Who is this guy? His sense of tragedy and beauty are very rare indeed. I can't wait for the book's release so I can get my own copy. If you read this, Mr. Pack, come to Phoenix and sign my book!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 16, 2009
Excellent novel! This book was the first choice of an online-face book book club. The discussions were deep and thoughtful. The story brings out a huge range of emotions to its readers. Men and woman both are captured by the story lines and stung by the incredible ending. Highly recommended by this reader. The book club anxiously awaits the next novel written by William Pack!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 24, 2009
This book could be tough for some at the beginning because of the abuse, but once past the first few pages, it's a page burner. More hooks than a snag line.
The characters follow many paths, but it is all masterly held together by Bill Pack as he bounces us back and forth betweem the Big Sky country and the city by the Big Bay.
No problem finding characters and situations to identify with.
Whether it be the little bar in the Montana boon docks, the offices of a large brokerage house, the young couples bedroom or big bosses back office, the reader gets to share it all, and gain a Wall Street education at the sametime.
The ending to this book will stay with me forever, I'm going to have to read it again, to see what I missed the first to-fast time through.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 18, 2009
Mr. Pack has written real characters. You think they are the people down the street. There are tough issues dealt with in this book. He deals with those issues in a realistic manner and really understands life in a small town, such as Roundup MT. Wow! I am recommending this book to my friends. I can't wait for Pack's next book.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 12, 2009
I Also Recommend:
If I wake up in the middle of the night and I can't get back to sleep, I usually read. This was a big mistake with The Bottom of the Sky. I like to read something that I can put down after 20 to 30 minutes. I found myself reading for 2 hours or more. There hasn't been a book that has done this since the The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett
The Bottom of the Sky shows the underbelly of the securities business as well as the fact there are good people trying to do the right thing. Unfortunately, the better story rests with the former. William Pack knows this business. In fact, if you want to understand the sub-prime market, he explains it in one paragraph. He understands the problem of a dysfunctional family and growing up in a very rural setting. I believe there is a lot more truth than fiction in this novel. Even his disclaimer might lead you in this direction. "Make no mistake, this is a hard story. Know that absolutely all characters and events depicted in The Bottom of the Sky are purely fictional. Any resemblance to persons or events in the real world is unintended and coincidental. Seriously."
And, the ending you will not see coming.
We need more from Mr. Pack.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 4, 2009
Mr. Pack's story shines a light on a part of life where no one dares look. But, then he takes the reader to a place he never thought to look, and the underbelly there is even more wretched than the first. However, Mr. Pack does it with style and grace that the craft of writing disappears and unvarnished truth comes forward.
One could be tempted to jump ahead and see where the story is going, but don't, because you'll just be going back to read what you missed. Every little piece of the puzzle builds on the last, until the main character, Levi, can come to no other conclusion.
Without fear there is no courage, without sacrifice there is no love.
Read the book and you'll understand what I mean.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 5, 2009
Not only does Mr. Pack adeptly describe greed, corruption, and betrayal on many different levels, he gives us insight into what makes a person do the things he does. Mr. Pack's characters are people that you are sure you know personally. They are so very human - you love them at one point, then you get to the next chapter and you want to clobber them! So true of real life. This was a fantastic read that I am recommending to everyone I know. It is so thought provoking - a real conversation starter. I am anxiously anticipating Mr. Pack's next book.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is truely a book to touch the soul. I know this abuse thing first hand. This is the best description of abused children and thier struggle for self that I've ever read. The father is perfectly drawn abuser. Levi is so pefectly flawed that you can't help but pull for him as he tries to grow and change. Lam is beyond a doubt real and could be living next. I'm so glad that the author was able to put all this together. I'm sure it will make a difference.
There are such great characters I can't help but compare them to Dickens characters. The evil wallstreet guy and his wicked human resources person are palpable. Lily has such integrity that I wanted her to be my friend. The finance information filled in so many gaps as a character it lived in the news and in the air. Great work. Can't wait to read the next book!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 7, 2009
The Bottom of the Sky is one of the best novels I have read. The author has a rare ability to draw the reader onto the story to feel like he / she is experiencing, first hand, the implications of poverty and abuse as well as the frustration of corporate politics. The topic of corruption in the financial industry is timely but never expressed so clearly. The characters come to life in this book like no other I have read previously. Not only could I not set this book down but I know I will get even more out of it with subsequent readings. I want more from this author.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 2, 2009
A gripping story of life in the slow and fast lanes ... rural Montana and Wall Street. A compelling revelation of abuse in all its forms in both worlds. Details are woven together with perfect readability. Pack's ability to take you deep into the story and create characters you will cry for will keep you up until you finish it. With all the drama it is also an accurate depiction of our times... stunning,alarming and enough to make you pound a fist on the table just to think about it. I am recommending it to all my friends and family. A wonderful read that leaves one with plenty to think and talk about.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 22, 2009
I too, like William Pack, grew up in a small town and actually had the pleasure of briefly working with Mr. Pack as the V.P. Operations Manager at Smith Barney. In the Bottom of the Sky, you will form a bond with Lam and Levi right from the beginning, be enthralled with suspense throughout the story, then finding yourself missing them as if they are old friends when you're finished. Mr. Pack's interpretation of the underbelly of Wall Street is dead on and mirrors many of my experiences. I hope we will be hearing a lot more from Mr. Pack.
Bill if you read this. I am so proud of you!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 11, 2009
I am shocked that there's a writer of this caliber out there who is relatively unknown. He's well-known in the financial circles but not the literary ones - YET. A page-turner that I couldn't put down - even had to cancel an appointment because I was so wrapped up in this 3 generation saga. His characters jump off the page. And you recognize those scheming corporate types - every company has one.
This is the perfect book if you want an easy explanation as to how this country got into the financial mess it's in. It's takes an insider with a front row seat to understand and then explain the backroom shenanigans that ran amok in the brokerages and banks - how they steal people's money, and Pack does this with some of the most beautiful rich prose I've ever read. There's no one I can think of to compare him to - he's the best.
Pay attention when you read this book. He drops cookies and crumbs all the way through; there's symbolism, allegories, hints, and clues. These lines are key: "You think a family means more than people in it? Or the other way around?" Geno didn't say. "If one might kill the other one, which one would you save, Geno?"
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 29, 2009
As a survivor of an abusive relationship, this was a difficult book to read - but I couldn't put it down. It's one of those books that stays with you for weeks. I found it helpful in reminding me how strong I am, and how strong and brave all women are that stand up to abuse. The other layers of the story are fascinating - Wall Street, the world of big money and of course, Silicon Valley!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 16, 2009
Hard to believe this is his first book. Can't wait to read more. Hope he keeps going with the story. It was hard to put down.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 7, 2010
I read a lot, late at night when everyone is asleep. If you are like me, DO NOT read this book if you want to fall asleep reading! Great story and one of my new favorite authors.
Well written and just generally a nice read for those of us who like a "story".
Worth knowing that the author donates 100 per cent of the profits to charities that help victims of abuse.
Can't wait for the next book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 26, 2010
I had the opportunity to go to a book signing in Scottsdale Arizona and talk with William Pack about his book. To be brief, I said. Never have I read a book that put me right there in their world, I could see their faces, hear their voices and feel their pain. It took me away from my world and placed me in theirs. I most definitely am going to reread it and enjoy every eloquent word Mr. Pack has written. I highly recommend! Cannot wait for the next one!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 28, 2010
I have been so moved by such a beautiful novel only two or three times in my life. I was transported, owned by the story. Pack's writing is flawless. The story is so powerful that now, even weeks after reading it, I cannot let the characters go. Bravo, Mr. Pack. Bravo!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 28, 2010
WOW! William Pack makes the characters and the venues spot-on real. He makes them unforgettable, but no more unforgettable than this story. If you want to be moved, this is a 9.0 on the richter scale. If you want to find out how people misuse their power and what true heroism is, this is your book. You'll reread it, just as I did.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 29, 2010
If you are interested in reading a book that will keep you spellbound from the first page to the last then this is the book for you. Characters in the book are fully developed and you find yourself invested in their outcome. The story itself is true to life.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Fantastic -- all the way to the very last page! Now that I've finished, I'm going to read the first part again. The book held my interest all the way through; anyone who cares about the stock market will especially enjoy it. On a side note, I was raised in Roundup, MT -- so this book was of particular interest to me, since that is where the Monroe family in the book lives.
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Overview
The Bottom of the Sky, a gritty debut novel, is an aching rags-to-riches family saga that springs from rural Montana squalor into the power chambers of Wall Street and Silicon Valley. Inside this human panorama unfolds the contrasting 30-year struggles of an abused sister and brother who, after one abandons the other, seek to claim themselves from their abhorrent legacy. It is a bare-knuckled tour de force. The novel deals head-on with childhood shame, promiscuity, prejudice and Wall Street's rape of Main Street....