The Smoke Jumper: A Novel

I was disappointed in this latest novel by Nicholas Evans because it was nowhere as good a story as his two previous novels, The Horse Whisperer and The Loop. I am angry because this had the makings of a "great" book and ended up being nothing more than a longer version of a Nicholas Sparks' novel. And, don't get me wrong - I enjoy a good Nicholas Sparks' book but not when I'm supposed to be reading a Nicholas Evans' book.
Set in Missoula, Montana and inspired by real life smoke jumpers, this book follows the lives of its three main characters Ed Tully, Connor Ford and Julia Bishop over a period of about ten years. Ed and Connor are best friends brought together by their love of life and interest in "smoke jumping." Ed is exuberant in nature while Connor is reserved yet they both complement each other. Julia is Ed's girlfriend and she will become another thing in which the two men share an interest. This will become a book about choices with loyalty and friendship being at its core.
Prior to this reading, I had no idea what a smoke jumper was and found out that there are only 400 of them in America. This is one of the reasons I always gravitate towards Evans' books - I always learn something from them. In The Horse Whisperer, I learned that people COULD talk to horses. In The Loop, I learned that the wolf is an endangered species and people invent elaborate traps in which to catch them. In The Smoke Jumper, I learned that these jumpers parachute out of planes into "fire areas" and have devised incredible ways of fighting and starving fires.
For the first 100 pages, I loved this book until it became a predictable love triangle. Girl meets boy, girl meets boy's friend, girl is attracted to friend, girl feels obligated to boy, tragedy strikes boy and girl until it becomes like every other book of this type that I've read. I enjoyed the beginning, which had to do with the fires, and the wilderness and the program for which Julia worked whereby they brought troubled teens into the open country and helped them find themselves. Once tragedy struck on the mountain, the whole emphasis of the book shifted to the point where some portions were not even plausible. If only the storyline would have continued in the smoke jumper direction, I would have been happy but, in the off-season, Connor is a photographer and spends his time taking pictures of atrocities in third world countries such as Bosnia and Uganda. This book then becomes a convoluted tapestry of puzzle pieces that the reader should be putting together along the way as the main characters strive to find some kind of happiness in their lives. Once the setting shifted from Montana to Africa, I lost interest and found everything from that point on just plain boring and unbelievable to say the least.
There are very few heroes in the world and this book had the ability to create a fictional one yet it failed, in my opinion, because so many of the choices made by the main characters were downright "stupid". Since the fires that the smoke jumpers put out are very damaging, they are also cleansing in that new growth will eventually appear. I'm sure this was probably the moral of the story but Connor's stint in Africa left me begging to get back on U.S. soil so this new growth could begin. While the characters in the end might have finally found self-fulfillment, this reader certainly didn't.

I've never read a Nicholas Evans book before, and was incredibly impressed with this one. Evans weaves a turrent emotional story of love, friendship and duty that his readers are likely never to forget.
Connor and Ed have been spending their summers as smoke jumpers in Missouri for several years, and this time, Ed brings his beautiful and captivating girlfriend Julia along. The two are obviously in love, but Connor can't help but desire her, and he falls deeply in love. Julia senses a connection between the two of them as well, but before anyone can contimplate the future, a terrible fire sweeps through their lives, and changes its course for ever...
A great bedside book that will have you reading until late in the night. I highly recommend it.

The moment you begin reading this novel you are swept into a great adventure and love story which takes you all over the world and spans a lifetime. The writer takes you to places and lets you feel and see the experiences of the characters.
I believe in "soul mates" and "love at first sight" and the writer definately brings to light this reality. You will see the true meaning of friendship,love and loyalty between three friends and the choices they must make in their lives.
This novel is very well written and takes you away . . . a good novel to take with you on a getaway romantic vacation or to read anytime. It's fast reading and hard to put down.

Mr Evans tells a great romance adventure, and that't why I like his work, but just one word of warning: pay close attention to who does what to whom. The narrative hops and skips back and forth between the principal characters in, respectively, Montana and Africa, or New York and Bosnia, with careless abandon. It's a great story, but a complicated one.

Hot fire fighters, a love triangle, and Montana. I've never read a book with quite this mix before, but it worked in it's own way. Even though some parts seemed a bit far fetched, I couldn't stop reading. If there was a "made for TV" genre of books, this would fit right in.

The characters are stereotypical and shallow. The plot is contrived and predictable. The writing is clear and direct, but there is no complexity or depth. I was very disappointed. The behavior of the main characters seems to be the result of the author's plot manipulation rather than their inner conflicts or drives. Reading this book is a royal waste of time.

I listened to this book driving from Pittsburgh to New Jersey, a route I drive oftren, and that I dred, but listening to this I didn't even realize that I was driving the boring 4 1/2 hour trip! I eve made it hom quicker! This book had me wanting to narrator to read faster! I was confused for the first 20 minutes abotu how all the characters were going to make it into one story. I loved how the author accomplished this without much confusion. I loved the excitement of the fires, and the rest of the story made me laugh/CRY/then feel terribly bad for Ed. I wo't say why, you gotta read it! But, I now only have about 25 minutes left to listen to, and I can't wait to get back in my car and listen to it on the way to work! Read or listen to this, you will not be sorry!!!

This book is consistent with Evans' previous novel where adventure and love play equal parts in telling a story. You feel as if you know the characters intimately. While I found the ending to be somewhat predicatble, it is still a very good read that I highly recommend, especially for fans of his previous work.

Though it was predictable at times this book was amazing. I read all 560 pages in only a few days! I got so into it that even when I wasn't reading it I thinking about it and wanting to go home so that I could keep going! Evans' descriptions and writing style pull you in so deep you feel as though you're living the characters lives and when you finish it you feel almost bereft. This book made me laugh and cry and was one of the better books I have ever read. Nicholas Evans is making quite a wonderful reputation for himself!

A love story, with character development reminiscent of Nevil Shute; Ed and Conner are best friends who, as a pair, create a total person. With the addition of Julia, their three lives branch together through danger, tragedy and happiness

I read this book after "The Horse Whisperer" which I truly enjoyed. Although I emjoyed the "Smoke Jumper" there were times it slowed down a little too much and it took awhile to get up and going again. It is a story of romance, friendship and heros. There is a hidden romance between two people but they are unable to show any emotion toward each other because she is married to his best friend. It is a good book but I didn't feel it was as gripping as some of my other favorites.

I cannot wait to read Mr. Evans other books after spending a few days on the beach reading "the Smoke Jumper". This book took place in settings (Montana, Uganda, etc.) that I found very interesting and outside the "norm".As I read the book, I could see all the characters in my mind and the places they were living and loving. Never once did I tire of reading or grow bored with the plot. I was surprised at some junctures, and sometimes shocked. I felt that we would have benefited by seeing Skye's life develope. This is my first book by this author, but it won't be my last!

At first, when I originally heard that Evans was coming out with a new novel, I wondered if it was going to be like his first two.
It wasn't and in this case that was a good thing. I liked how he went to a time and caught as up to speed with everything that happened. I didn't really agree with some of the things Connor did but he proved to win it all, and still have good thoughts and memories of his friend, Ed. It was a change of pace for me, and I recommend it if you to read a very realistic book.

I enjoyed the "Smoke Jumper." I bought this book on audio, I listened to it in the car, and would sometimes go to the car to hear more. I admit there were some parts of the story that were predictable, but all in all it was a moving book. Mr. Evans writes with alot of feeling and his descriptives are wonderful. I read his previous books and enjoyed them as well. Books are about enjoyment and this was it!! It sets the moment for you to go into your own heart and head and feel the words, it's what a good novel is all about.

The Smoke Jumper is another one by this author that keeps you on the edge of your chair, wondering how it will end. Its another stay up until 2 a.m. to finish it-type book. I have read 2 of his other books and really liked them as well.

I really enjoyed this book. People complain about predictability. Some events in this novel took me completely by surprise and some didn't. I would expect this of any book. However, I did think that this was a very good book, very well done, with great character development. I would (and have) highly recommend reading this in your spare time, and if you're skeptical, just buy it used - the words on the pages are the same no matter how many people have seen them before you have.

I really enjoy everything that Nicholas Evans has written, but this one is definitely one of my favorites. I couldn't put this one down.
I've also purchased this book for several men that I know that love to read and they have enjoyed it also.

Disapointed by the revelation that the tite has no revelance to the story other than the first several chapters, this book was not what it seemed. Although a good overall story, most of the major events were predictable. If you are interested in fire fighting and smoke jumping I would not reccomend this book. If, however, you enjoy a action / love story with a positive message this book fits the bill.

I did not even finish. I purchased on a business trip because of my limited choices at the hotel bookstore and it was a waste of money. I tried to keep with it and finally had to give up about 1/3 of the way through. I probably should have given up sooner.

I loved this book. It is so refreshing because of the integtrity of the characters. It shows the battle that goes on between desire and committment. A real life story. The imagery and visual writing style give a real background to the setting and I can't say enough about it, read it you won't be disappointed!

I started reading this expecting an exciting tale of the Smoke Jumpers, fire fighting tactics, and adventure. What I got was a sappy pre-teen romance soap opera that resembles a Harlequin romance. The female lead is in love with both male leads, creating a Melrose Place plotline that got so ridiculous that I put the book down, never to take it up again. Stay clear of this one!

One of the most predictable books ever written. This love triangle is nothing new in today's fiction. Every page was predictable. I wouldn't waste your time with this one. I was very, very disappointed.

this books drew all my hidden feelings straight from the heart.
Evans connected to my inner most dreams and life. he is a brillant writter and hope he will come out with another book like this soon.

One of the most predictable books ever written. This love triangle is nothing new in today's fiction. Every page was predictable. I wouldn't waste your time with this one. I was very, very disappointed.

this books drew all my hidden feelings straight from the heart.
Evans connected to my inner most dreams and life. he is a brillant writter and hope he will come out with another book like this soon.

I requested this over and over again to be available on Kindle. Until then you won't get a good review from me!Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, U.S. Wireless)