David B. Seaburn

AWARDS

Charlie No Face

Finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award in General Fiction;

ABOUT THE BOOK

When eleven-year-old Jackie meets every kid's greatest nightmare -- disfigured hermit Charlie No Face -- his life is changed forever. Despite nagging questions about the death of his mother when he was an infant, the summer of 1959 is shaping up as the best vacation of Jackie's short life. He has friends, baseball, his father's unanticipated vacation from work, and the hunt for Charlie No Face to fill his days. But in a few short weeks, Jackie's life is turned upside down. He moves in with a distant relative whose shadowy boarder holds the key to Jackie's past and, perhaps, his future. Who is this man who won't go out in the light of day but who roams the woods at night? Could it be? Charlie No Face is a coming-of-age story in which a misunderstood recluse and a young boy redeem each other's lives through a most unlikely friendship.

NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR

WHO WAS CHARLIE NO FACE?

As a young boy growing up in western Pennsylvania, I learned about a man who roamed the country roads at night; who was disfigured and had green skin; who was too horrible to look at; and who, many thought, was a danger to anyone who came near him.

The truth is that Charlie was Ray Robinson who, as a young boy, was severely burned when he touched an electric cable while reaching for a bird's nest near a local train tressel. Ray's face melted, leaving him with no eyes, a crater for a nose and a slit for a mouth. Tall tales grew about Ray and teenagers often cruised the area roads at night looking for him, offering him beer and sometimes taunting him. Those who knew Ray say he was a quiet man who wouldn't hurt a soul, a man with a tragic past just trying to make his way in life.

Although I never saw Ray, when I considered writing a first person coming of age story about an 11 year old boy, I thought a fictionalized version of Ray (Henry Hopewell) would be an excellent companion or guide for young Jackie. And so their relationship was born.

Ray Robinson died in his seventies in the early 1980s.

AMAZON REVIEWS

Doug writes:

As a frequent business traveler for more than 10 years I have grown very fond of reading; it is a great way to help pass time when waiting in airports, flying on planes or sitting in a boring hotel room. While I truly enjoy a good book, after the first few years it didn't take too long to burn through everything written by my favorite Authors which has left me searching the rows in book stores, on line options and Kindle suggestions.

Kecia writes:

Charlie No Face is a heartwarming story that is wonderfully told by author David B. Seaburn. The character development and the relationships vital to the story, blossom and grow beautifully as the story unfolds. The writer's voice is quiet and gentle, leaves you laughing in places and crying in others.

Charles Ashbacher writes:

This is really a great story; every parent will hope that their child reacts like Jackie when they meet someone less fortunate than they are. In many ways the greatest exhibition of character is when you stand up for someone that is ostracized and ridiculed. While he is just a boy, Jackie proves that he is more of a man than most that meet the legal definition.

Cookie writes:

This is a beautiful story of coming of age in a small mill town. I loved the way the author captured the trials and tribulations and emotions of growing up in the late 50's and all that entailed. I found it to be a wonderful look into human nature, both the cruelty and compassion we humans can impart, overcoming adversity, accepting the cards we are dealt and making the most of our life no matter what. While the book started out as a book about the lives and friendship of 2 young boys, it became evident that it was about much more of a story of a young boy finding himself and and realizing what is really important in life.

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