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Carrying Albert Home: The Somewhat True Story of A Man, His Wife, and Her Alligator by Homer Hickam
cookster_k's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
noodles01's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
I will post a quote when the book is published.
I had never read anything by Homer Hickam. I know he is a popular author and that one of his books, Rocket Boys has been made in a film (October Sky). I have no real idea why this novel caught my eye in the Edelweiss list. However, once again, I am grateful to serendipity and Edelweiss. I had a blast with this novel.
According to Hickam, his parents told bits and pieces of their story to Hickam when he was a child. Hickam’s parents drove from West Virginia to Florida to return an alligator, Albert, to its natural home. They also carried a rooster with them for no reason that they could see. They encountered movie makers, bank robbers, the Coast Guard and many other strange people.
This sounds like some of the stories I heard growing up. My dad told us that he played the Victrola in the school band and that he and my mom met at Kennywood Park. As a child, I didn’t know which of these stories was possible and which was made up. When Hickam heard all the adventures of his parents, he probably couldn’t figure out the truth either.
So while in this tale, the reader should suspend his or her disbelief. Some of this novel is what Hickam’s parents actually did and some of it is what they or he wished they had done. It doesn’t really matter. The story is excellent and Hickam makes you believe in his parents’ adventure even if it may not be strictly how it happened. I will be reading more of Hickam because he drew me into this story and didn’t let me go until Albert got home.
It is hard for me to review humorous books. Humor is a personal thing and the fact that I was laughing out loud at this story does not mean you will also laugh. However, this is one of the funniest things I have read this year. I was entertained and just could not put this novel down. If you are looking for fun in your next book, I recommend this to you.
I had never read anything by Homer Hickam. I know he is a popular author and that one of his books, Rocket Boys has been made in a film (October Sky). I have no real idea why this novel caught my eye in the Edelweiss list. However, once again, I am grateful to serendipity and Edelweiss. I had a blast with this novel.
According to Hickam, his parents told bits and pieces of their story to Hickam when he was a child. Hickam’s parents drove from West Virginia to Florida to return an alligator, Albert, to its natural home. They also carried a rooster with them for no reason that they could see. They encountered movie makers, bank robbers, the Coast Guard and many other strange people.
This sounds like some of the stories I heard growing up. My dad told us that he played the Victrola in the school band and that he and my mom met at Kennywood Park. As a child, I didn’t know which of these stories was possible and which was made up. When Hickam heard all the adventures of his parents, he probably couldn’t figure out the truth either.
So while in this tale, the reader should suspend his or her disbelief. Some of this novel is what Hickam’s parents actually did and some of it is what they or he wished they had done. It doesn’t really matter. The story is excellent and Hickam makes you believe in his parents’ adventure even if it may not be strictly how it happened. I will be reading more of Hickam because he drew me into this story and didn’t let me go until Albert got home.
It is hard for me to review humorous books. Humor is a personal thing and the fact that I was laughing out loud at this story does not mean you will also laugh. However, this is one of the funniest things I have read this year. I was entertained and just could not put this novel down. If you are looking for fun in your next book, I recommend this to you.
pebbles1984's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I loved the idea of this story! The title was also what caught my eye, as I had never heard of it before but based on the title decided that I needed to read it. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, and it picked up again at the end, but at some point it got a little slow for me (which may also be due to a small reading slump I'm in though).
I loved the idea of this story! The title was also what caught my eye, as I had never heard of it before but based on the title decided that I needed to read it. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, and it picked up again at the end, but at some point it got a little slow for me (which may also be due to a small reading slump I'm in though).
hollyrebeccasmith's review against another edition
5.0
A bizarre and wonderful tale that will surely spark discussion.
heartofoak1's review against another edition
2.0
some entertainment value but not much. i found it overly long and repetitive in places - as albert would say "yeah, yeah, yeah" only for me that's not a happy noise.
qkjgrubb's review against another edition
4.0
I kept thinking, why hasn't the Cohen brothers made this into a movie? George Clooney is Homer. Scarlett Johannsen is Elsie. The Captain is Kyle MacLachland.
This was very charming. I love the believable, but not really believable feel to it.
Well written and recommended.
This was very charming. I love the believable, but not really believable feel to it.
Well written and recommended.
stindex's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5