Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
Although already divorced, thirtyish Stanford Thomas feels he owns the world. Living in Harrisburg, the ex-jock is the Assistant Director for an "At-Risk" youth program. Stan knows that it is only a matter of time until he decides to become a director.
Everything abruptly changes when Stan learns he has a life threatening form of cancer. He undergoes the dual poisons of radio and chemo, leaving him a sickly shell of himself. When the cancer returns, Stan begins his own health regimen of exercise and diet. He begins to feel better and decides to return home. He moves back to Buffalo preparing himself for "rational suicide".
However, Buffalo is not the haven for his exit scene. His mother is an alcoholic, his father remains a stern reverend with no emotional link to Stan, and they live apart even if they share one roof. Still trying to cleanse himself emotional from his life's mistakes, Stan and all those he touches are beginning to learn what living truly means.
THE RACE IS NOT GIVEN is a stunning story that feels like a true account of a young person facing terminal cancer. The inspirational story line focuses on reactions and relationships of Stan and his associates as he leads them in trying to rise above the worst obstacles life tosses at them. Yet in all honesty Frank Dobson touches the hearts of his audience with sadness too as readers will wonder why this is happening to such a young person. They respond to him because he has the guts to lead the pack once we all understand that THE RACE IS NOT GIVEN it must be run. This is a great work that deserves a wide audience. Hopefully Mr. Dobson will provide more real life dramatic novels in the future.