Timpanogos

During the summer after high school graduation, Randal Anderson finds his soul mate, Allyson Crawford, but there are problems. Allyson comes from an "old money," Catholic family in Boston, while Randal comes from a middleclass, Mormon family in Salt Lake. Their love is confirmed in an ancient spirit circle on the legendary mountain named Timpanogos. The difficult relationship breaks up when Randal makes a stupid mistake.

After years of regret, Randal marries Maria Elena, a Spanish teacher and flamenco dancer. The marriage of short-lived passion deteriorates, while Randal makes his mark in the computer business. As the marriage falters, Randal begins an erotic affair with another woman he knows he can never love. Maria is killed in a tragic traffic accident while Randal is driving their car. Randal, guilt-ridden, dedicates his life to raising their three children.

Though he has heard of Allyson's death, the memories of Timpanogos and that perfect summer love haunt his mind. As the children grow and prepare to leave home, Karen Troy comes into his life. Now he must finally rid himself of his phantom love, Allyson. He has a plan, but before he can implement it, he is led into the unexpected.

Self-Publishing Review:

Timpanogos is engaging and heartfelt. We follow Randal's journey, through all the day-to-day lumps and bumps of childhood, adolescence, and further, his self-discovery and dealings in the realms of romance providing a rather realistic and believable character ... Timpanogos is an unusual book, perhaps appealing to a slightly older YA readership with its traditional, 20th century retrospective - serial romance peppered with old-soul wisdom, and an accepting attitude toward loss and the gradual changes that sneak up in life. For people seeking a fresh, emotional read, Timpanogos is a very decent book to try out.

Rebecca's Reads:

I would hesitate to call Glen R. Stott's novel, "Timpanogos" a coming of age story. It does start while the protagonist, Randal Anderson, is a seventh grader, but it winds far ahead into adulthood, giving the book a wider scope than normal for any story of adolescents. What we do have is a loving, well-crafted tale of a young man's life and loves, his wrestling with faith and his reckonings about how he wants to be and live. ... "Timpanogos" takes us right through to when Randal Anderson is a father himself. Many harsh realities have hit him by then but the beauty of the book is in the search for love and understanding. It is a book full of forgiveness and awakenings. ... It is done with honesty, a certain heartfulness, purity and goodwill. I felt clean reading "Timpanogos." ... He has captured youth and growing up, true love and faith, and maturing, exquisitely. The ending is life affirming. It will make you glad, with a smile to light a room.