In the fall of 1963, all sixteen-year-old Danny Prescott wants is to attend school, have a girlfriend on Saturday night, and play football. But on that Sunday, a simple act of giving a ride to the town's star half-back changes all that and capsizes his life and that of everyone he cares about.
A young girl is raped, and the town of Banning is quick to lay blame. Many in the community and school are reluctant to blame their star football player, who has led the school to two consecutive regional titles. A farm boy from a family with little influence and a spotted reputation is an easier target.
Danny struggles to restore his and his family's reputation in the face of betrayal from those he has known all his life. He finds no safe haven at Banning High, where he is no longer wanted. Still, he finds strength and courage with another outcast, Wendy Warner, as he faces violence and the town's unforgiving prejudice. The Outcast is a story of redemption, retribution, love, and friendship in rural America during the 1960s. This narrative will linger with readers long after they have finished the book.
In the small rural town of Banning, Iowa, little is forgiven, and nothing is forgotten; reputation is everything, and just because you have known someone all your life does not mean they are your friend. The Outcast is a story of redemption, retribution, love, and friendship in 1960s rural America.
Industry Reviews
"Loved The Outcast. Not since American Graffiti has a book captured the '60s culture in a way Whipple has--the dialogue is entertaining and authentic to the era--a slice of time in rural America that will stay with you." Ryan Dickerson--The BookDigger's Review
"The Outcast" includes blunt but realistic dialogue and a diverse web of relationships once the surface of this rural area is scratched. The primary focus of the narrative is on Danny and his relationships with his family. But there are also enemies, creating tension, harm, and a shattering climax to the storyline. There are several twists and turns in the novel's plot, which this reviewer will omit from the review, but suffice it to say the storyline is gritty and authentic, with sunshine and rainbows in short supply. The story will appeal to all those who appreciate realism and who understand that being a teenager, even with loving parents and siblings, is never straightforward. Whipple has written a book with a resounding sense of place - creating a vivid image for the reader of the cattle, the barn, the corn, the weather, and other mainstays of rural life. "The Outcast" by DL Whipple receives 4 stars from The Historical Fiction Company.
"In this novel, a teenage boy fails to stop a rape committed by a high school football star and becomes locked in the legal and moral drama that ensues. Whipple's moral drama is layered with complexity...This is especially impressive given the ordinariness of this town-Danny calls it a "grease spot on an Iowa map"-which serves as a perfect stage for the story, a small place that gives birth to big sins. Whipple's writing is generally poetically unembellished, but its plainness is the source of its gathering power, and it brings into sharp relief the averageness of those who participate in this moral contest. At the novel's heart is a delicate portrayal of Danny's maturation...This is an absorbing look into how even the most ordinary human beings can suddenly become key players in a terrible drama. It is a moving exploration of the profound costs of trying to be a good person." KIRKUS REVIEWS--OUR VERDICT (GET IT)
"Original, deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, and showcasing author D. L. Whipple's genuine flair for the kind of distinctive and narrative driven storytelling style that raises "The Outcast" to an impressive level of literary excellence. All the more remarkable when considering that "The Outcast" is D. L. Whipple's debut as an author, his compelling novel is especially and unreservedly recommended for high school and community library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections." Midwest Book Review
