Freedom Quest. Debora Masterson, Atmosphere Press, April 2026, paperback and e-book, 287 pages.
Reviewed by Amy Purcell.
Debora Masterson’s Freedom Quest sings from the first page to the last. This fast-paced, oftentimes wild story of love, friendship, the quest for creative success, and—well—freedom from the demons we all must face will have you tapping your toes to familiar hits from the 1960s and ’70s. It will also pique your curiosity about the blurry line between fact and fiction in this novel based on the true story of a San Diego band in the 1970s.
It’s 1965 and Michael Griffin is a gifted musician growing up in Southern California as the music scene blossoms. Fresh out of high school and giving music lessons at a San Fernando Valley music shop, he meets the equally talented Grace Fleming who is four years younger. There’s an instant connection between them and their love for each other feels fated, but sometimes fate comes with surprises and life lessons, as is the case with Michael and Grace.
Michael, adopted and raised in a loving home with a strong Catholic faith, nevertheless struggles with feelings of abandonment. Grace, meanwhile, grapples with an alcoholic mother and a codependent father. The psychological scars both carry influence the choices they make as they grow older. Early in the story, Grace’s father warns them that the quest for freedom can require difficult choices. As he explains, “because we have choice in our lives, we might make poor decisions or be subject to actions of others which result in desperate conditions.” This theme follows Michael throughout his life and, to a lesser extent, Grace’s. Indeed, the band’s name embodies it. As Michael tells Grace, freedom is what life is all about: “Freedom from bondage, freedom from pain and suffering, freedom to find joy and happiness and discover our true being.”
Yet, as Michael continues to pursue freedom, he encounters a number of obstacles—including himself.
Recognizing that Grace is too young for him, Michael patiently waits until she turns sixteen before asking her on their first date. As his musical star begins to rise, their relationship deepens. An error on his draft form keeps Michael from being sent to Vietnam, but two of his buddies enlist in the Marines. When his friend Bill Perkins is killed in action, the loss devastates Michael, though he continues pursuing his dreams.
Still young and finding their way, Grace leaves for Europe while Michael, continues chasing musical success. Following an ugly incident with a boyfriend in Paris, Grace returns, and the band—with Grace now a member—hits the Top 40. A deal with Capitol Records seems within reach. Short on money, Michael makes a mistake that lands him in jail and a reform camp, destroying their chances. Frustrated, Grace breaks off their relationship, and the two go their separate ways even though they both still feel a strong cord connecting them.
Michael retreats to Hawaii, where he meets Emir, a self-proclaimed Saudi prince and spiritual master. Exploiting Michael’s vulnerability and broken heart, Emir promises to help him achieve his dreams. Michael falls for the deception and becomes entangled in a cult for years, while Grace marries another man and raises two children.
Many novels have what some reviewers and readers call a “mushy middle” where the story loses momentum. That’s certainly not the case here. The action never lets up, and I found myself going down rabbit holes after finishing the book to learn more about the real-life George Dubie (a.k.a. Emir) and the Kauai cult of the 1970s. It’s a mark of good historical fiction—and good fiction in general—when a story inspires readers to investigate further. It’s also a mark of a good story when readers, like me, reach for the stereo to revisit the songs mentioned in the novel and immerse themselves in the characters’ world. In fact, the original seven songs from the 1973 band Freedom Quest are streaming wherever you listen. (Spotify link)
After experiencing their own trials and tribulations, Michael and Grace reconnect and their second chance at love is as sweet as the first. I was reminded of the lyrics of Bread’s hit, “Make It With You”:
“Life can be short or long / Love can be right or wrong / And if I chose the one I’d like to help me through / I’d like to make it with you.”
In their own way as a couple and as individuals, Michael and Grace do make it, and it’s a pleasure to be on that journey with them.
Masterson’s explorations of faith, coercion, and the quest for freedom, love and a sense of belonging hit a perfect pitch in Freedom Quest. Fans of Daisy Jones and The Six, Patty Smith’s memoirs, and other stories of creatives trying to break through will enjoy this.
