"The Third Rail, a memoir," is the account of the author's last days before his mother passes away. Ganious, at 33, is challenged with an early arrival of a "mid-life crisis." While abruptly leaving Los Angeles, he receives an ominous call from his mother, igniting his mind into a centrifuge of memories that encompasses his entire life. While seeking answers to his questions of existence, he is served an eviction notice, and learns his mother has terminal lung cancer. He is thrust into seeking closure with her while trying to escape homelessness and mental despair. Ganious handles these events haphazardly, merely trying to free his emotions. This liberation, revealed in funny, descriptive, candid language, offers the reader a first-class ticket into his mental "maiden voyage."
Barnes And Noble Reviews:
A MUST READ!!
This book was recommended to me by a friend and I loved it! A touching account of the power of a mother¿s love and her son¿s struggle in dealing with her death while searching for answers to his own life¿s purpose. An enjoyable yet heart-wrenching read, Ganious takes us on a journey moving from the present to the past in a fluid and entertaining manner. I found myself laughing out loud at stories from his childhood, while others left me in tears from the rawness of his honesty. As a mother to a young son, I connected deeply with the relationship between him and his mother and the love he had for her. A truly very inspiring story, I highly recommend this book.
Reading the THIRD RAIL was pure ELECTRICITY!
The excitement began on page one and honestly continued to the last word on the last page. The THIRD RAIL was a roller coaster ride of emotions with a tall order of funny anecdotes that kept me in smiley-land! I was immensely impressed with GANIOUS'S use of free form writing in telling such a personal story of introspection. The THIRD RAIL has restored my faith in humanity, redefined the concept of a sensitive man and just 'plain old' made reading fun again. Simply put fellow readers, run don't walk your fingers to your local bookstore and order a copy of the THIRD RAIL you won't regret it!
The third rail will either electrify you or electrocute you!
It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, but I think the hands are the threshold to the heart. Ganious invites us to embrace his story, bringing him into our hearts. His words are not so much read as absorbed into your very soul. You are no longer reading the story but rather living the experience, not beside him but through him, becoming him. This story is raw and real and holds nothing back as it explores the complicated relationship between a mother and her son, the invisible 'umbilical cord' that is never severed no matter how hard we try or how far we go. Ganious shares his struggle with his identity, what actually defines who we are, and the pain of having to be torn down before we can be built up. Thank you, Ganious for having the courage to share your story and shine the light into the dark corners. You were true to your word I felt you with me every step of the way.
