A Stream to Follow: A Novel

by Jess Wright

Overview

When WWII ends, Bruce Duncan, a battlefront surgeon, returns home to a small town in Pennsylvania with plans of opening a general practice, fly fishing in his spare time, and forgetting the past. But the ravages of his war aren’t over. Haunted by images of soldiers he tried to save, his own near-death experiences, and the love he lost, Bruce has little respite before new battles grip him. His brother, a decorated fighter pilot, is sinking fast and rebels against Bruce’s attempts to help him. A former friend begins waging a vicious campaign to stop Bruce from uncovering the dangers that could shutter a local industry. And amid all this turmoil, he must decide between the slim prospect of reuniting with his former love—an Englishwoman who chose her family over him—and an ill-fated attraction to a trail-blazing woman doctor.

A riveting narrative that moves from post-WWII America to battle-sieged England to the killing fields of Alsace, A Stream to Follow plunges deep into the crucible of trauma and gives fresh vision for paths to redemption—ultimately weaving an uplifting tale of valor, resilience, and enduring love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684631216
Publisher:	SparkPress
Publication date:	04/19/2022
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	1,085,133
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jess Wright is an internationally recognized psychiatrist and a Kolb Endowed Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Louisville. Breaking Free from Depression, one of his self-help books, has been called a “must-have for finding a way through the pain of depression.” Good Days Ahead, his scientifically tested online program for depression and anxiety, has helped many thousands on their path to recovery. He is also the first author of a trilogy of award-winning and best-selling books that integrate text and video to help readers learn the key methods of cognitive-behavior therapy, and has lectured widely in Europe, Asia, South America, and the United States. A Stream to Follow is his first novel. The author resides in Louisville, KY. 

Editorial Reviews

02/21/2022

Wright draws on his experiences as a physician and college student in this accomplished fiction debut, contrasting the wartime experiences of a World War II surgeon and his return to the idyllic small-town of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. After serving as a newly minted battlefield surgeon on the European front, Bruce Duncan returns home to work as a general practice physician. Bruce’s transition to small-town life after the trauma of being in the midst of battle goes relatively smoothly, though he bemoans the loss of girlfriend Amelia Whitcombe, heir to Whitcombe Hall, as she is now engaged to another man. Despite a smear campaign falsely accusing him of inappropriate behavior with female patients, Bruce remains resolute in his quest to help miners harmed by silica particles in a nearby brickworks plant—and after receiving a letter from Amelia, Bruce is hopeful that a reunion might rekindle their romance.

Wright‘s ability to immerse the reader into the realistic plotline, whether in scenes of the war or of traversing the streets of small-town Pennsylvania, compels this engaging and humane novel forward to its riveting conclusion. While spinning the memorable story of Bruce’s 1945 post-war present, Wright imbues his narrative with meticulously researched details about battle injuries and the perils medical personnel encountered when treating them in the heat of battle. He also provides insight into the PTSD experienced by soldiers returning to civilian life in an era when treatment prioritized physical but not mental injuries.

The contrast between the battle scenes in flashbacks magnifies the differences between the serenity Bruce experiences when fly fishing in Pennsylvania and trying to prevent a soldier from bleeding out while riding in an ambulance dodging German bullets. As an intriguing focus, Wright makes Bruce’s fishing experiences a central theme highlighting his first meeting with Amelia. A Stream to Follow touchingly examines trauma, heartbreak, and what it takes to move ahead, in a story that will please readers of character-driven historic and literary fiction.

Takeaway: A World War II battlefield surgeon returns to his hometown, facing trauma and heartbreak in this engaging, insightful historical novel.

Great for fans of: Andy Kutler’s The Batter’s Box: A Novel of Baseball, War, and Love, Sarah Winman’s Still Life.

Production grades Cover: A Design and typography: A Illustrations: N/A Editing: A Marketing copy: A

BookLife Reviews

2022 Best Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Historical

“A Stream to Follow touchingly examines trauma, heartbreak, and what it takes to move ahead, in a story that will please readers of character-driven historic and literary fiction.”
—BookLife

“Jess Wright’s emotional rendering of a front-line surgeon searching for meaning in post-WWII America is engaging, well-paced, and has an excellent arc of character, theme, and plot.”
—IndieReader

“These pages recall the best parts of Hemingway’s Nick Adams, diving deep into the ghosts of war, embers of passion, and the drive to do good work. Jess Wright has a breathtaking winner with A Stream to Follow.”
—Devin Murphy, author of The Boat Runner and Tiny Americans

“Historical fiction at its finest. Bruce Duncan is a determined and gentle hero whom readers will root for page after page.”
—Samantha Specks, author of Dovetails in Tall Grass

“Jess Wright’s A Stream to Follow is a gripping reminder of the trauma of war and the healing power of family and love. A stunning and heartfelt debut.”
—Linda Kass, author of Tasa’s Song and A Ritchie Boy

“This post-World War II novel touchingly and intelligently reminds us that no war ever ends. It survives in our minds and bodies, daring us to live and love alongside our memories of brutal history and unforgettable valor.”
—Shelly Blanton-Stroud, author of Copy Boy

“In a thrilling account of the aftermath of wartime trauma, Jess Wright tells a story of heroism, love, and healing. Engaging and heartwarming. . . . A book you can’t put down.”
—Robert L. Leahy, PhD, author of Don’t Believe Everything You Feel and The Worry Cure

“An authentic portrait of working through traumatic experiences to develop resilience. At the same time, matters of the heart play an important role in the lives of the characters in this compelling family saga . . . an absolute joy to read.”
—Ames Sheldon, author of Eleanor’s Wars, Don’t Put the Boats Away, and Lemons in the Garden of Love

“Jess Wright is a gifted storyteller who weaves the heartrending impact of PTSD into a novel that will resonate with all. It is a page-turner full of love, intrigue, and tested values.”
—Barbara O. Rothbaum, PhD, Professor and Director, Emory University Healthcare Veterans Program, and author of PTSD: What Everyone Wants to Know

From the Publisher