Carry Me Back

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY FEB 2, 1997

An amiable first novel written for country-music nostalgists, this is the story of Webb Pritchard, a sensitive ex-con from Oklahoma who is trying to realize his dream of becoming a professional bluegrass banjo player. One night, he finds himself transported back in time to 1951--and a miraculous job as a band member touring with his idol, Hank Williams. Torn between playing with the greats of bluegrass in the past and a potential career (and romance) in the present, he must decide where he truly belongs. Pritchard's pleasant, intelligent voice narrates, and he easily interpolates colorful references to famous bluegrass and country musicians. The time travel conceit isn't clearly explained, but Watt, a former Miami Herald reporter, smoothly weaves the episodes of the past into the contemporary plot. Annoyingly, some minor characters are introduced and then abandoned, but the well-referenced historical background rings true, and the overall result satisfies, especially if you love the subject as much as the author clearly does.