Jeffrey B. Allen

About me:

My name is Jeffrey B. Allen. I reside in the Lehigh County, near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I published my first novel in September of 2008 called GoneAway Into the Land. Here is a brief description. I hope you will go onto my web site and check it out. OH - and while you're there check out the 'GIFT FOR YOU' section. ~:~ GoneAway Into the Land is a story about the greatest triumph of them all. It will reach the love, the hurt, and the hate that resides within your heart. It will pry open the deepest corners of your childhood, and then, without a hint of intention, reveal the positive energy of the human spirit. Jeffrey B. Allen will lead you on an unforgettable journey. His vivid imagination, and his amazing talent as a writer, transports his readers to a place filled with wonders as original in form as in character. But, be certain to read between the lines. Because this, you will discover, is where GoneAway Into the Land truly shines. ~:~ This ambitious yarn follows twelve-year old John Greber who, along with his mother Ellie, is the object of abuse at the hands of John's father whom he names "the Beast." One day, "The Beast" abandons John and his mother while at the same time snatching away John's six-year old sister Marny. John vows to seek revenge, confront his repulsive father, and rescue his sister Marny. As we discover, all of this transpires during a time where John and his mother will be indirectly involved in a Civil War that has far reaching repercussions that may lead to the destruction of the world. ~:~ Tagging along with John and his mother, Allen cleverly uses his mind-boggling world as a vehicle in understanding what life is all about and the human condition. This is particularly in evidence as we witness John's challenge of making the transition from childhood to adulthood as he self-examines the big questions in life as well as the nature of good and evil, the meaning of life and the quest to understand himself. ~:~ What will strike you about GoneAway Into the Land is Allen's skillful narrative pacing in revealing bit-by-bit the various themes to the reader and permitting him or her to slowly discover it. Another plus is that Allen does not resort to some kind of magic wherein he relies on the fantasy aspect in order to enable John to break out of a thorny situation by manufacturing a super-duper miraculous spell that the the reader never even knew about.~:~ With its deftly constructed plot, episodic structure, a lovable hero, interesting secondary characters, and a dash of suspense, Allen's fascinating debut novel is a haunting tale that jolts along at its own pace. Moreover, Allen's writing is extremely powerful, particularly his imagery and masterful descriptions such as when John meets up with "The Beast." ~:~ And when all is said and done, we have a novel that is not only amazingly fitting for our times, but one that is rich and rewarding for anyone, young or old, wishing to ponder over insightful questions pertaining to our existence and the journey through life.~:~

GoneAway into the Land, Novel by Jeffrey B. Allen

The story's entertainment value is enticing, but the book's symbolism is inescapable. It's an epic novel best described as a story about a real life family in crisis, and a twelve year old boy's travels into a fantasy world where he reconciles his problems and discovers secrets hidden and buried. A true coming of age story.