In a style reminiscent of J.D. Salinger, Holcomb’s Potato Song is the story of a man’s sexual and emotional awakening, and a reminder that, with genuine effort to understand others, we all, ultimately, matter. Holcomb Bascomb is an average young man with few options. Born on a farm in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, he struggled socially and academically, and finds himself sweeping the floors of the town hardware store and washing dishes at the local diner.

When Grace Illingwood sets off on a search for the father she never knew, she enlists Holcomb’s help. Holcomb, who has a hopeless crush on her mother, Agnes, immerses himself in Grace’s search. As the search deepens, the townspeople realize that they have underestimated this quiet, gentle man.

I unfortunately had to DNF this one. I got about 40% through and couldn’t do it anymore. The writing was fine, but nothing happened for me so I got bored. Holcomb seems like the sweetest person and I wish I got to finish his story. Thanks for the copy in exchange of an honest review!

What a gem of a book, the development of the characters and caring shown to others, is absolutely wonderful!
A superb characterisation of Holcomb, he appears to be lacking but is actually very knowledgeable, aware and caring. Grace is searching for her own identity in a town that suddenly finds itself opening up and learning as much as Holcomb.
A warm uplifting story that will melt your heart!

Bravo and thanks to the publisher, NetGalley and Peter Obourn for the opportunity to read this wonderful book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a bit of a slow starter for me. I couldn’t quite place myself into the correct time period, but when I did, I enjoyed it. It’s a sweet “late coming of age” story (that’s my interpretation of it) and I enjoyed reading Holcomb’s realizations. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

4.5★s

Holcomb’s Potato Song is the second novel by American author, Peter Obourn. Holcomb Bascomb prefaces his tale with the disclaimer that he isn’t very smart: he left school at sixteen after spending two and a half years in the eighth grade. But it’s quickly apparent that he is very hard-working and multi-skilled: mechanics, mental arithmetic, and spotting birds are amongst his talents, but what he really excels at is seeing the good in everyone and everything, and giving people hope.

His mother told him he was full of goodness; others say he’s guileless, and he’s not sure what that means, but: “Whatever it is, I think it has made my life difficult because, if you always tell the truth, you can’t necessarily tell when other people are not telling the truth, even people you love and trust.” Holcomb chooses to relate the events of his 36th year as that has been his most interesting.

Apart from tapping season, when he’s busy with maple sap in the sugarbush, Holcomb holds down two jobs: he washes dishes at Ed’s Diner; and he does whatever needs doing at Morgan’s Hardware. It’s when diner waitress, Agnes Illingwood spots her nearly-eighteen-year-old daughter, Grace heading into the Hardware store that the action starts. Angry words and a smashed cell phone later, Holcomb is tasked with spying on Grace and the store’s assistant manager, Albert Mooney.

Even without Holcomb’s intel, Agnes realises that Albert is promising to help Grace learn the identity of her father, something for which Agnes feels she is not yet ready. Nor is does she trust Albert’s motives. Many in town believe that ex-star-athlete-turned-town-drunk, Davy Johnson is Grace’s father: only three people know the truth, and even if Holcomb thinks maybe Grace has a right to know, there is no way he would betray the trust of the object of his twenty-year infatuation. Would he?

Holcomb has never been one to interfere in other people’s affairs. But in his thirty-sixth year, he finds himself doing just that: petty thefts bother him enough to act; a certain grieving widower needs to be jolted back into life; and, contrary to some people’s wishes and advice, Holcomb takes in the counsel of someone he has always respected, and gives Grace the information she needs to begin her search.

What a marvellous cast of quirky characters Obourn gives the reader: Holcomb is one of several who instantly win hearts, while others need to prove themselves; some delight and others disappoint. Obourn’s settings, especially Ed’s Diner and Morgan’s Hardware, are so well rendered that they are easy to picture. This is a novel that may well appeal to fans of The Incredible Winston Browne: the small town of Forestville (pop 1206) has a very similar feel to Dietrich’s Moab.

Apart from one heroic act, this is not a tale of action and drama. This is a gently-paced story of people in a small town facing everyday problems, reacting in (mostly) ordinary ways, supporting friends and neighbours, tolerating (or not) irritations, growing, changing and maturing. Sharing Holcomb’s thirty-sixth year is a delight: funny, heart-warming and uplifting.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Ivy Books.

Interesting and quirky characters…all with a backstory. Holcomb’s development was was fun to watch and i would have loved to see the potato dance.