Johnson,+Eric

= ONCE A RUNNER = Written by: John L. Parker, Jr. Reviewed by: Eric Johnson



John L. Parker:
 * Born 1947
 * Attended University of Florida at Gainesville
 * Ran Track for the Florida Gators
 * Set the school record for the mile
 * Won the Southeastern Conference Championship, for the mile, three times
 * Studied Law at Gainesville
 * Also wrote, //Again to Carthage// (2007), sequel to //Once A Runner//
 * A relatively unknown author and little reputation, other than being a Track and Field Champion

About the Book: Basic Info This book was first published by Cedarwinds Publishing in 1978. John Parker originally sold his book, //Once A Runner//, from the back of his car. The book then caught the attention of the American public and had to be re-printed due to short supply. //Once A Runner// was on the New York Times' Bestseller List. //Once A Runner// reflects much of Parker’s life. This is because the setting, plot, and subject all mirror that of Parker's collegiate and educational life (with the exception of being suspended). Summary It takes place in fictional Kernsville, Florida and the story revolves around the collegiate runner, Quenton Cassidy. Cassidy is the one of the captains of the Track and Field team and he also runs Cross Country. He is one of the fastest milers in the nation and he aspires to run the mile at either 4:00 minutes flat, or sub-4:00. The young runner is suspended from the Track team halfway through the book, and, with the advice of his friend and coach, he drops out of school to train to become the greatest miler in the world. The novel focuses on the unknown, and often confusing, mindset of a runner, a true runner. It is a story of following one's dreams and leaving nothing behind when trying to reach one's aspirations.

Destiny Review: //Once A Runner// was a unique read on a personal level. This is because I, myself, am a runner. I understand the feelings that John L. Parker conveys through his excellent use of imagery and descriptive writing. Even “non-runners” will find this book very enjoyable to read. It grabs the attention of the reader through the point of view in which the book is written. The book is written in third person limited omniscient. It is not written in first person but it follows the mind of Quenton Cassidy throughout the story. This point of view and Parker's talent of descriptive writing creates a riveting story of mental toughness and will power.

Style: Point Of View John L. Parker writes //Once A Runner// in third person limited omniscient point of view. The story is seen through the eyes of an external narrator, but Cassidy's thoughts, feelings, emotions, and opinions are known to the narrator. This point of view creates a scene similar to watching a movie, except it is inside of Quenton Cassidy's mind. The reader is able to experience the pain and conflict that Cassidy goes through without being put directly in his shoes, which is similar to watching a film. This technique allows the reader to experience what a runner goes through without being put smack in the middle of the world of the runner. A Runner's View Parker also brings about certain stereotypical profiles of groups in //Once A Runner//. Parker often brings up joggers as a contrast to runners. In this book he tries to define the difference between the two. This is described on Epinions.com, " Parker himself gives the stereotypical view that runners have of joggers in the first page of his book: "plump, determined-looking women slogging along while fleshy knees quivered" or "men too of various ages and levels of dilapitation, perhaps also grinding out secret fantasies"" (Epinions). John Parker not only shows a runner's stereotypical view of joggers but also of football players. He makes it very clear that the Track team in //Once A Runner// sees the football team as all brawn and no brains. They are loud and obnoxious, they cheat in the classroom, and they are also too precious to the school that they will not get in trouble. This helps to bring about the climax of the book when Cassidy is kicked out of school. Description Parker tries to submerge the reader into a runner's world. Parker, himself, was a runner and he understands how the mindset of a runner works. He uses this tool to his advantage and creates some of the best mental pictures ever written down. " The book doesn't just //have// a cult, in other words—its //subject// is a cult, and it depicts the cult's rituals in the minutest detail. Parker captures how it all feels: how during a tough workout a random word or phrase will materialize in your mind and be turned over and played with like "seals with a beach ball"; how as you wander around a track meet you feel as though your personal record is the dominant fact of your life ("This gentleman here, perhaps you'd like to meet him, is 27:42"); how after a race your spine feels as though it's "made of bamboo."" (Tracy). The Flow of Events Another key element of this book is the link between the subject and the flow of events. The subject of this book is obviously about running and this is reflected in which the book is written. It is written to match the "phases" of a race. It starts off fast to put the characters, setting, and other content out in the front early in the book. After these components have been established, the pace settles to a quick, but manageable speed. The end of the book is similar to the finish of the race, otherwise known as the "kick". Everything is put out at this point in the race and the book mirrors this by coming to a quick and exciting end.

Theme: The theme of this novel is very simple to understand. It is about perseverance. Cassidy's determination to run faster and stronger is the motivation behind his almost crazy attitude. He will not give up on his dreams and he chooses to push his body and mind beyond their limits to become something that is better than himself. He goes through some of the toughest training imaginable. His weekly total of miles is roughly 130. This detail helps to back-up the theme of perseverance. Bryant says, " One concept that is repeated over and over in the book is that there are no secrets to being a great runner. It’s all about the “Trials of Miles”. Those that are willing to put in the extensive miles every day without a break are the ones that become great runners." (Hankins).

// Personal Review: Once A Runner// has become one of my favorite novels I have ever read. It is well written, very descriptive, and is exciting. There were several twists in the story that took me by surprise and I enjoyed that. This book also contains a good amount of humor in it. This humor mostly pertains to the life on the college campus and the interactions between the track athletes and the football players. Parker portrays the football player as a dim-witted "scholar-athlete" that cheats his way through school. This is stereotypical, but humorous at the same time. All in all, I greatly enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone.

Works Cited Hankins, Bryant. “ // Once A Runner // Book Revew: How Much Will You Sacrifice?” Rev. of // Once A Runner //, by John L. Parker, Jr. Bryanthankins.com. Everyday Excellence, 2009. Web. 6 May 2010. < [|__http://www.bryanthankins.com/index.php/2009/09/28/once-a-runner-book-review-how-much-will-you-sacrifice/__]  >.

Parker, John L. Jr. // Once A Runner //. New York: Scribner, 2010. Print.

“Runner=Read This Book.” Rev. of // Once A Runner //, by John L. Parker, Jr. Epinions.com. Epinions, 2001. Web. 11 May 2010. <  [|__http://www1.epinions.com/review/Once_a_Runner_by_John_Parker_Books/content_28940668548__] >.

Tracy, Marc. “Speed Reading.” Rev. of // Once A Runner //, by John L. Parker, Jr. Slate.com. Slate, 2008. Web. 6 May 2010. < [|__http://www.slate.com/id/2206025__]  >.