A Song for the Asking

Rating:
Summary: You will love this book. Buy it.
Review: A first novel like "A Song for the Asking" depends on word of mouth to stay on the shelves, so if you like this book (and you will), talk it up with your friends, insist they purchase a copy (they'll thank you later), then go out and buy several more copies yourself. Remember, Christmas is only ten months away. Steve Gannon 2/3/97

Rating:
Summary: A fabulous story; a bonafide classic; How 'bout a movie?
Review: As a 36-year-old father of two, I loved to hate Kane for his opressive and dictatorship-like mastery over his family, as if they too were employed or cursed as police detectives. But, later I came to appreciate Kane's commitment to family and values. It reminded me of my father. I applaud Mr. Gannon for writing such a compelling novel. Good for him -- and good for us who enjoy his work

Rating:
Summary: Waiting for the NEXT Steve Gannon book!
Review: As a writer I make it a point to read as many "first novels" as possible. Some show potential, most make me wonder HOW they got published. Not so with Steve Gannon's debut novel, "A Song for the Asking." Where has he been? For a one-time actor/dentist/contractor (per the brief author info in the book) he is not only one hell of a researcher in such areas as law enforcement, classical music, serious rock-climbing and the sea, he is a brilliant painter of characters and settings. I was spellbound and continually amazed by the relationships and detailed topics woven into this complex, yet identifiable, family. The father, Dan Kane, takes you on an emotional ride. You don't know whether you want to work with him, party with him or have him arrested for his continual verbal and physical abuse of just about every other character in the book.

DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK....I almost did!!

Rating:
Summary: Waiting for the NEXT Steve Gannon book!
Review: As a writer I make it a point to read as many "first novels" as possible. Some show potential, most make me wonder HOW they got published. Not so with Steve Gannon's debut novel, "A Song for the Asking." Where has he been? For a one-time actor/dentist/contractor (per the brief author info in the book) he is not only one hell of a researcher in such areas as law enforcement, classical music, serious rock-climbing and the sea, he is a brilliant painter of characters and settings. I was spellbound and continually amazed by the relationships and detailed topics woven into this complex, yet identifiable, family. The father, Dan Kane, takes you on an emotional ride. You don't know whether you want to work with him, party with him or have him arrested for his continual verbal and physical abuse of just about every other character in the book.

DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK....I almost did!!

Rating:
Summary: Waiting for the NEXT Steve Gannon book!
Review: As a writer I make it a point to read as many "first novels" as possible. Some show potential, most make me wonder HOW they got published. Not so with Steve Gannon's debut novel, "A Song for the Asking." Where has he been? For a one-time actor/dentist/contractor (per the brief author info in the book) he is not only one hell of a researcher in such areas as law enforcement, classical music, serious rock-climbing and the sea, he is a brilliant painter of characters and settings. I was spellbound and continually amazed by the relationships and detailed topics woven into this complex, yet identifiable, family. The father, Dan Kane, takes you on an emotional ride. You don't know whether you want to work with him, party with him or have him arrested for his continual verbal and physical abuse of just about every other character in the book.

DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK....I almost did!!

Rating:
Summary: From "Booklist" review, 2/1/97
Review: Gannon's powerful first novel focuses on the emotional issues that glue families together and tear them apart. Cop Dan Kane loves his family but rules them with an iron fist. His particular pride is son Tommy, an outstanding athlete with a college football scholarship. Dan is less happy with 16-year-old Travis, whose artistic temperament is too namby-pamby for his father's tastes; daughter Allison, a talented writer who rates low with Dan because she's a girl; and Nate, who, at 9, is too young to be of much use. Dan is determined to mold his family into a strong unit capable of facing life's harsh blows, but it's his long-suffering wife, Catheryn, who must handle the devastation Dad leaves behind. Gannon's story focuses on one summer in the lives of the Kanes-a summer that will test the strength, love, and courage of each member of the family as they are beset by a series of shattering tragedies. Gannon writes brilliantly of the high hopes and shattered dreams, the love, laughter, tears, and pain that make up the family experience. His wonderfully dense and complex characters and his provocative plot combine to produce a heartrending, heartwarming novel. An impressive debut. --Emily Melton

Rating:
Summary: Re.: My 5.3.2001 Review: "Portrait / Dysfunctional Family"
Review: Having said all that.... I want to give Steve Gannon, wherever you are, the remaining 4 stars, and major congratulations for getting your first book published. The writing and suspense is supurb. The details are excellent. There are many truly stunning and well crafted scenes that kept me on the edge of my seat. I will never be able to erase the mentaI images of Kane crawling up the side of that building. I do hold to my original observations but I cannot withhold the stars for having gotten it done (no mean task), gotten it done well, and gotten it out on the market. Bravo. Keep writing.

Rating:
Summary: A Great First Novel
Review: I grabbed this audiotape up and thought the story and narration was great. A narrator can easily ruin a good book, but if anything the narrator made this book even better. I, then picked the book up, I had to re-read what I already loved!

Rating:
Summary: A GOOD PICK
Review: I grabbed this audiotape up and thought the story and narration was great. A narrator can easily ruin a good book, but if anything the narrator made this book even better. I, then picked the book up, I had to re-read what I already loved!

Rating:
Summary: I'm impressed!
Review: I just returned from my car where I spent my lunch hour in the parking lot listening to the end of A Song for the Asking on cassette. This was a completely engrossing work--the kind of listening experience where you don't want to arrive at your destination and turn off the tape. I was most impressed by the contrasts and depth of characterization in this novel. While the author seems to have expertise in subjects from classical music to rock climbing to police methodology he does not do too much teaching, but weaves his knowledge naturally into the story. He also possesses an amazing vocabulary of profanity. In the long term I usually judge a book on whether something about it is memorable. Like the Great Santini, I think Dan Kane and his family have left a lasting impression.