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Andrea McKenzie Raine
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Turnstiles Paperback – December 10, 2013

by Andrea McKenzie Raine (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 30 ratings
Martin Sourdough is a homeless person who has chosen to turn his back on the corporate, material world; Willis Hancocks Jr. is a barrister, an alcoholic philanderer, and a misogynist; and Evelyn (aka Yvonne) is a prostitute. Turnstiles speaks to these social problems through the smaller scope of each character's individual trials. There is a struggle that exists between the need to serve one's own needs and the expectation to participate in the larger social scheme. Martin and Willis are both trying to fit into the world, but on their own terms. They are naïve, searching for an Eden-like state of being. Through a broader experience of personal fortune, misfortune, travel, and social interactions, they each learn to accept their path and take control of their own destinies.
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  1. Book 1 of 1
    Turnstiles
  2. Print length
    302 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Inkwater Press
  5. Publication date
    December 10, 2013
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 0.68 x 9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    162901012X
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1629010120
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The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Editorial Reviews

Review

Short Listed by Chanticleer Reviews "Raine handles a long list of characters with dexterity, offering credibleemotional histories." -- Kirkus Reviews

From the Back Cover

An empathetic and honest portrayal of human beings attempting to redefine themselves against the friction of idealism's clash with societal expectations, Turnstiles is perfect for readers seeking a stirring, dramatic depiction of love, loss, impulse, and consequence.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Inkwater Press; Illustrated edition (December 10, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 162901012X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1629010120
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.68 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

About the author

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Andrea McKenzie Raine

Andrea McKenzie Raine

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Andrea McKenzie Raine was born in Smithers, BC and grew up in Victoria, BC where she still resides. She was enrolled in the Creative Writing program and earned a B.A. in English Literature at the University of Victoria in 2000, and completed a post-degree Public Relations certificate program. She has attended the successful Planet Earth Poetry reading series (formerly known as Mocambopo) in Victoria, BC since 1997, and participated in the Glenairley writing retreats led by Canadian poet and novelist Patrick Lane in Sooke, BC. In 2005, she published her first book of poetry, titled A Mother’s String, through Ekstasis Editions. Her poetry has also appeared in Mocambo Nights, Canadian Literature journal, Quills, Borderlines anthology (Ascent Aspirations magazine), Tempus anthology (Rubicon Press), Poems from Planet Earth (Leaf Press), Tongues of Fire anthology, and several Glenairley chapbooks edited by Patrick Lane (Leaf Press). She has also written book reviews and articles for local magazines, celebrating the work of her peers. She lives with her husband and two young sons and, by day, is employed as a correspondence writer for the provincial government. Turnstiles is her debut novel published by Inkwater Press. She also published her second novel, A Crowded Heart, through Inkwater Press, which is a prequel to Turnstiles. Her most recent novel is the third book in the Turnstiles series, a sequel titled Beyond the Summer Grass.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
30 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book beautifully written, with one noting how the author skillfully guides readers through the narrative. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its readability, with one customer describing it as an extremely binge-worthy mini series. Additionally, customers appreciate the character development and plot twists, with one review highlighting how it follows the lives of three people. The visual content is intricate, with one customer mentioning they could easily visualize the scenes.

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8 customers mention "Writing quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as beautifully and poetically written, with one customer noting how skillfully the author guides the reader.

"...I was drawn into the story from the start. The author guides the reader skillfully by placing a character's name at the beginning of each chapter...." Read more

"...It’s very well-written (as other reviewers have mentioned, it’s clear that Andrea is a poet and knows her way around words), and my only complaint..." Read more

"...described so that you weren't mired down with excessive detail, but poetically and expressively enough that you could easily visualize them, almost..." Read more

"...the language and flow of the book is beautifully engaging and very well-written. It is absolutely lyrical. Highly recommended read." Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great read, with one customer describing it as a must-read trilogy and another noting it's an extremely binge-worthy mini series.

"...Outside of that, Turnstiles is an enjoyable read and one I would read again." Read more

"...It would make an extremely bing worthy mini series that would twist your heart unmercifully. Brilliant!" Read more

"Turnstiles is a very intricate and a very enjoyable book. It follows the lives of three people who are trying to find their place in the world...." Read more

"A Good Book. Looking towards even better stuff in the days to come." Read more

4 customers mention "Plot twist"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot twists in the book, with one mentioning how it follows the lives of three people.

"I thought this was a fantastic story. The characters seemed so real and honest. I could picture everything that happen to them...." Read more

"...It follows the lives of three people who are trying to find their place in the world...." Read more

"...written book with very strong character development and intriguing plot twists. Hard to put down." Read more

"An Intriguing and beautifully written novel..." Read more

3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...I felt great sympathy and understanding of the characters; we all face these moments but don't realize until later their significance, and how..." Read more

"...Many of the secondary characters are quite interesting as well. I found myself wanting to know more about them. Sequel? Prequel? Spin-off?..." Read more

"Beautifully written book with very strong character development and intriguing plot twists. Hard to put down." Read more

3 customers mention "Visual content"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the visual content of the book, finding it intricate, with one customer mentioning they could easily visualize the scenes and another noting how well the situations were described.

"...TURNSTILES is intriguing, beautifully written and finely crafted by this talented writer." Read more

"...I could picture everything that happen to them. The situations were described so that you weren't mired down with excessive detail, but poetically..." Read more

"Turnstiles is a very intricate and a very enjoyable book. It follows the lives of three people who are trying to find their place in the world...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Linda Wells
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Intriguing and beautifully written novel
    Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The story begins in London, as a homeless man wakes up in a short tunnel under a busy street, with only his backpack and sleeping bag. He's hungry and is counting on a hot dog handout from a street vendor he has gotten to know. Martin, the homeless man, is isolated from the world, and he wants to keep it that way. But things suddenly change, by sheer chance, as his path intersects with Willis Hancocks, Jr., who is also isolated, even though he has vast fortune and status as a highly respected barrister.

    I was drawn into the story from the start. The author guides the reader skillfully by placing a character's name at the beginning of each chapter. The story is then told from that character's viewpoint, and slowly the characters' lives become intertwined. From the destitute life of Martin, to the prostitute, Yvonne, we find a connection, because they feel, as many do, that they are outsiders. Only as we get to know them, their history, do we come to understand why their lives became so tragic. The sudden shifts in their lives' course were foisted upon them, causing them to make desperate choices, changing their paths forever. I felt great sympathy and understanding of the characters; we all face these moments but don't realize until later their significance, and how unexpected events shape our lives. As each chapter unfolds we are drawn further and further into the story, and I was caught totally by surprise, as the author deftly unveils the final "reveal."

    TURNSTILES is intriguing, beautifully written and finely crafted by this talented writer.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Erik Therme
    4.0 out of 5 stars Turnstiles, by Andrea McKenzie Raine, is a ‘free-flowing’ ...
    Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Turnstiles, by Andrea McKenzie Raine, is a ‘free-flowing’ type narrative that follows three individuals as they struggle to understand their place in society and the world. It’s very well-written (as other reviewers have mentioned, it’s clear that Andrea is a poet and knows her way around words), and my only complaint is that the dialogue occasionally felt stilted and forced. Outside of that, Turnstiles is an enjoyable read and one I would read again.
    One person found this helpful
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  • SuperB67
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I thought this was a fantastic story. The characters seemed so real and honest. I could picture everything that happen to them. The situations were described so that you weren't mired down with excessive detail, but poetically and expressively enough that you could easily visualize them, almost as if you were there yourself. Many of the secondary characters are quite interesting as well. I found myself wanting to know more about them. Sequel? Prequel? Spin-off? We can hope! I think this is a very accessible book as it could easily fit into several different categories or genres. I can't wait for more from this author!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Gordon Gray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Andrea McKenzie Raine-A brilliant Canadian Writer and Poet.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Andrea McKenzie Raine’s Turnstiles Trilogy is a must read. It would make an extremely bing worthy mini series that would twist your heart unmercifully.
    Brilliant!
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  • Geetanjali
    4.0 out of 5 stars A book worth reading
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2014
    Turnstiles can best be described as the story of the quest for the meaning of life by its three protagonists Martin Sourdough,Willis Hancock Jr. and Evelyn.It follows the lives of these three who are from three different countries,whose means of livelihood are so radically different that ideally there should never have been any reason for their paths to have crossed.But meet they did and it is their chance meetings with one another at different times that prove to be serendipitous,which lead them to their next step of self- discovery.

    Martin Sourdough is a Canadian from British Columbia homeless in the streets of London by choice.An artist by passion,he has shunned society and money,with the belief that man does not need money and anybody to survive.His journey here makes him realise that no man is an island.

    Willis Hancocks Jr. is a barrister in London who has had a privileged upbringing.Though not wanting in material possession,he is deeply unhappy with his life whose problems root from his parents dysfunctional marriage and his own relationship with his estranged father.He is a confused soul caught in the web of a life he had not planned for himself.His eventual enlightenment makes him understand that he is the master of himself and no one can make him do anything he does not want to.

    Evelyn,aka Yvonne,is a prostitute from America who had been forced into the profession at the tender age of twelve.She does according to the bidding of her boss Frank,who has a hold over her.She has to break free from his clutches and realise her self worth to find the meaning of life.

    This book is contemporary in its setting with an element of mystery,and some existentialism in it but not wholly.Nevertheless,I would like to catalog it as existentialist fiction because it is the essence of existentialism which stood out to me the most.

    Wikipedia defines 'turnstiles' as : A turnstile is a form of gate which allows one person to pass at a time. It can also be made so as to enforce one-way traffic of people, and in addition, it can restrict passage only to people who insert a coin, a ticket, a pass, or similar.
    As far as I could comprehend,the 'turntiles' here are the passages these three characters have to cross in order to reach their destinations,and find the meaning of their existence.

    This is more a character driven novel than one with a concrete storyline.But that is the beauty of Turnstiles because it is essentially a study of the human psyche.One does not need to love the characters in order to understand them.In fact,they are riddled with flaws which everyone can identify with.Out of all three I admired Evelyn the most,her resilience and courage are noteworthy.I pitied Willis the most but his was the story I found most interesting.Martin was the character I couldn't sympathize with,because I could not relate to his bitterness towards life.The book is paced slow with the characters' musings taking up most of the space.I kept trying to predict its conclusion while reading but nothing could have prepared me for the revelation in the last quarter of the book.This twist in the story is what elevated this book from ordinary to quite an extraordinary story.I'm happy with the way the characters found peace within themselves.Each had to travel his own course to arrive at his own conclusions and find a new meaning in life.

    Along with the main characters all the other characters in the story are fleshed out and give meaning to the story.There is Willis Hancock Sr.,Willis' father who is already dead by the time the story begins but has a significant presence in the whole book.It is his actions which have the impact on the lives of a lot of people.There is also Ellis,Willis' mom who was all but a living zombie for many years,who comes to life only after her husband's death.Frank,Evelyn's ruthless boss,his assistant Maury,Evelyn's friend and fellow sufferer Bonnie,Martin's friends in Germany provide a better understanding of the different facets of human life.But it's Willis' client Michael Harris' story which had the most impact on me.He who was oppressed by his wife's authority,a quiet librarian who loved his wife and honoured his wedding vows <i>'till death do us part'</i>,is imprisoned for murdering her.His sole defence against his crime is that he was an emotionally abused male who had to kill his wife in self-defence.The reasoning sounds ludicrous but makes an interesting topic for debate.

    The writing is beautiful almost poetic with apt metaphors.Even during the times when the characters were stagnant,the writing was never prosaic.Each page had something in it that was thought provoking;at times I would be so overwhelmed by them that I had to stop reading and collect my thoughts.Andrea McKenzie Raine has the flair for writing who did justice by her debut novel and I hope to read more of her contemplative tales in the future.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Lee Ann Ward
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intricate, moving, and deep
    Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Turnstiles is a very intricate and a very enjoyable book. It follows the lives of three people who are trying to find their place in the world. You see their struggles, and the language and flow of the book is beautifully engaging and very well-written. It is absolutely lyrical. Highly recommended read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Lisa Steadman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully, well-written story. A great read!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    In Turnstiles, Andrea has created a story that draws you in and characters that invite you into their thoughts, fears, and dreams. I find myself continuing to think about them long after I turned the final page. I am pleased to say that I passed my copy on to a friend who was going on vacation. She loved it as much as I did and now her boyfriend is also going to read it. I'll be buying another copy for myself. This is definitely a book I will read again... right before I get my hands on the prequel.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Carol. Meyer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read suspenseful well worded
    Reviewed in Canada on April 6, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I was drawn in and captured--- as all good books should do --- wondering how these people would connect but did not expect the twist and the ending. Andrea had many profound thoughts. I was jotting them down and amazed at her way with words and the quality of them.
    Really enjoyed the book. Thanks!
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