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Greyhound Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,095 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Ushered out from his Stockton, California home by his emotionally detached mother and her latest boyfriend, twelve-year-old Sebastien Ranes must fend for himself and travel two thousand miles across the country. He is on his way to live with his grandmother and sister in Pennsylvania. Along the way, he will learn that sometimes caring, guidance and understanding can come from some unlikely people.
Marcus, a fellow bus passenger, is a man who has been neglected more by society than his family. As a young black ex-con, he is not the epitome of the person most would pick as a chaperone for their child’s cross-country trip. Yet rather than be held apart by their differences, Marcus and Sebastien are drawn together by the things that make us all alike.
Along the way, he acts as both guide and protector, as Virgil was to Dante and Jim to Huck Finn. Imparting his own style of wisdom, he shows Sebastien that, despite the darker parts of the human condition, people can and do care for one another. This is a modern-day journey not just from one house to another. This is a journey taken by a young boy into manhood, and by the reader into his world. Like every trip, there are many stops along the way. But this journey differs in the way young Sebastien arrives at his destination. Greyhound is the story of this journey.
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"The book opens with a young boy (12) waiting sleeplessly in his room for his mom and her new boyfriend to come back. He is all packed, ready for a trip across the country. But this isn't a fun vacation -- his mother is sending him on a Greyhound bus from Stockton, California to Altoona, Pennsylvania. Chain-smoking and impatient, she can't wait to dump him so that she can run off to get married (again) without being bogged down by her son. Sebastien is shy, he stutters, he knows nothing about bus schedules or transfers, and he begins the trip with only the $35 his mother reluctantly gives him. His inner voice expresses the anger and frustration with his mom, but he has gotten used to keeping his thoughts to himself, as he remembers beatings, ridicule, and other consequences of speaking up. Somehow Sebastien is taken under the wing of Marcus, an ex-con also traveling cross-country, and the two of them share adventures, dangers, and a growing knowledge of how to work the Greyhound system -- where to sit on the bus, where to eat at the stops, and how to deal with the drivers. This book has been compared to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and I would agree. Marcus is like Jim in his wisdom (or is it just life experience and street smarts?) Some of the best parts come during the conversations that Sebastien and Marcus share about life, troubles, literature, the future, and so on. It's also enjoyable to read about the "world of Greyhoune" (history!), and the places they visit - each stop seems to have its own culture, which the author represents in the characters these two encounter along the way. A question I had at the end - is this autobiographical? (the question sparked by the photo of a young boy, dated "circa 1981" accompanied by the specific dates that are spread throughout the book. Hmmmm.....) All in all, this was a great "vacation read," and a quality representative of the "road trip" genre."
— Doreen (4 out of 5 stars)
Greyhound Listener Reviews
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" A good, easy read. A kind of coming of age story in which the main character's revelations take place and life lesson are learned over the course of a 3 day Greyhound bus ride across country solo. The author's use of the word "rejoined" was excessive and borderline obnoxious. "
— Raina, 2/14/2014 -
" Loved this story. So much to be sad about but they way it's written I was left heartfelt and uplifted. I enjoyed this journey and these characters. Very easy read. Makes I look at buses a little differently. "
— Liz, 1/24/2014 -
" Not my favorite book. First one by this author. The very idea of putting an 11 yr old child on a bus headed cross country is appalling. I did like the way that the boy worked through his anger and how he got even with his mother. Had some tense moments in the story. Having a companion for most of the trip made it less belieavable, but more interesting. Nothing that I thought would happen..like missing a bus connection or losing his luggage...did. Relieved when he finally made it to his grandparents. "
— Virginia, 1/19/2014 -
" This is the story of a 12 year old boy Sebastien who is put on a greyhound bus to travel alone across the country. He meets an ex-con Marcus & the two of them hit it off & they travel together. There are many adventures along the way. Marcus helps Sebastien deal with his horrible mother - who ran off to marry someone who didn't want to take on Sebastien. Sebastien learns a lot about music & life from Marcus & turns from a young boy into a young man. "
— Pamela, 1/17/2014 -
" What a great book! The story of a boy who is put on a bus to travel across country to go live with his grandparents. The story follows him and all that happens and the people he meets while making his trip. I loved it! One of my favorite books of the year so far. "
— Lynnek, 1/8/2014 -
" dicey at some scenes but really good "
— Hattie, 1/3/2014 -
" I think that adolescents from dysfunctional families could easily connect to Sebastian, the twelve year-old protagonist in the book. Although there were many dramatic events,the descriptions of the various Greyhound Stations were my favorite parts of the book. "
— Deborah, 12/30/2013 -
" Wish I could have read this book when I was 14. "
— Melinda, 12/17/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book. The story was touching, heartwarming and at the same time sad. I loved being on the bus with this wonderful child and his friend Marcus. It's remarkable how an experience like this can change your life forever... Good story. "
— Julia, 12/13/2013 -
" A really well written story. Insightful. Doesn't entice me to take a bus trip, though. Especially won't sit in the rear seats. I kept waiting for something awful to happen - must be the books I've been reading. The story wrapped up nicely. "
— Teri, 12/7/2013 -
" I kinda want to read it again it was so good! "
— Kim, 12/6/2013 -
" Such a well told story about a 12 year old boy who is dumped on a Greyhound bus by his irresponsible whorish mother to travel across country alone to his grandparents home.........the people he meets and the misadventures. A really enjoyable quick read. "
— Cheryl, 11/28/2013 -
" Vastly different from the books I usually read. Awesome and well written. This book is definetly a must-read even for those who typically don't like "present" day stuff. "
— Ashleygary2010, 11/27/2013 -
" Almost a boring monologue. The author is not there yet. "
— Matt, 10/20/2013 -
" Enjoyed the book, but confused as to whether or not it's based on a true story. Author's dedication and biography don't seem to match up. Still a great read either way! "
— Kelly, 10/15/2013 -
" 1/2 star. Stuck on a plane, no 3g to get a better book kind of read. Fave quote: "Even the angry girls need love." "
— Glory, 9/27/2013 -
" A road story! Fairly conventional easy read.. At heart its a feel good story.. Okay!! "
— Mark, 9/25/2013 -
" Good coming of age story about a 12 year old boy. Was written from his perspective - good read! "
— Bridget, 6/21/2013 -
" Great read! Simple yet brings you through many emotions. Have recommended to many friends. "
— Michele, 2/19/2013 -
" I thought this was a delightful book. The 12 year old narrator was realistic and charming. I loved all of the life lessons and the sweet ending. "
— Kathidfsmc, 2/18/2013 -
" Eleven-year-old Sebastian is put on a bus in California to travel alone to his grandparent's home in Pennsylvania. The harrowing events he experiences along the way teach him about life and friendship. I would rate this for young adult and older. "
— Ruthann, 2/8/2013 -
" A really great book. The end was a little predictable, but the journey as not; much like an actual bus ride. "
— Molly, 12/26/2012
About Steffan Piper
Steffan Piper was born in Pennsylvania and raised in England and various parts of Alaska. During his time in Alaska, the mayor of Nome asked him to “leave and never return,” due to a minor misunderstanding. Steffan currently lives in Palm Desert, on the outskirts of Los Angeles with his family.
About Nick Podehl
Nick Podehl is a professional voice actor. He has narrated numerous audiobooks, many of which have won prestigious awards, including fourteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. He currently lives and works around Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife.