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steveno's review
3.0
I grabbed this after I heard it name-dropped in season 2 of In Treatment. It's a great story, but it's not very deep and some of the writing is a bit overdone.
In a lot of ways, it's a contemporary Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, told in a much more straight-forward (and flatter) manner.
Still, whatever weaknesses the book has are pretty much overcome by the great story.
In a lot of ways, it's a contemporary Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, told in a much more straight-forward (and flatter) manner.
Still, whatever weaknesses the book has are pretty much overcome by the great story.
pamelaaugust's review
4.0
What a wonderful surprise read! I was looking for another book and stumbled upon this one quite accidentally. I was drawn in first by the title, then the cover and what I read on the fly leaf. This is a middle-age coming-of-age tale about a loner/loser alcoholic 40-something guy working in a toy factory. His world is radically changed when both of his parents are killed in a car wreck and then within a few days he finds out that his missing mentally ill sister has been found dead. He is suddenly utterly alone. In his younger years he used to be an avid runner and bike rider. In his grief one night he takes off on his childhood bike and then begins biking from Rhode Island to California to claim his sister's remains. The book is his cross-country biking adventure--what he learns about humanity and himself. The only part I didn't like about this book was a few of his cross country encouters were too "victimizing" and random,, which caused the book to seem a bit far-fetched at times. However, overall Smithy Ide was a very geniuine and flawed, but likeable fellow.
neetslives's review
5.0
This book was first published as an Audiobook because the author is a frequent narrator of audiobooks and his company wanted to publish his first novel. Stephen King apparently read it while recovering from an accident and began to promote it and it eventually was published in print. I think what appeals is that the main character takes a journey almost everyone wishes they could take when their life becomes unbearable.
readtome_sheri's review against another edition
4.0
In 2007, Stephen King wrote in Entertainment Weekly, "...Ron McLarty’s The Memory of Running is the best novel you won’t read this year." Apparently, Ron McLarty couldn't find a publisher interested in his novel. However, he also worked as a narrator for Recorded Books (a company that has produced unabridged novels on audio since 1979) and he showed it to his boss. She loved it and they produced it.
I've listened to several books read by the authors and I've always been disappointed. Apparently, writing and reading are two very different skills. The Memory of Running, however, is an exception. The description on the back of the audio case reads "... McLarty is the perfect choice to narrate his own story, and he delivers an arresting performance that is truly from the heart." I totally agree! Do not read The Memory of Running. Listen to it instead.
I've listened to several books read by the authors and I've always been disappointed. Apparently, writing and reading are two very different skills. The Memory of Running, however, is an exception. The description on the back of the audio case reads "... McLarty is the perfect choice to narrate his own story, and he delivers an arresting performance that is truly from the heart." I totally agree! Do not read The Memory of Running. Listen to it instead.
book_chat_girl's review
4.0
I read this several years ago and loved it; and now have re-read it for a book group. For me, the story of transformation still holds up. It is not at all a "believable" story, but instead, one that inspires me because it is a little bit unusual. I find myself continuing to think about Smithy's journey and the meaning of all his stops along the way.
teedubya's review
5.0
Beautiful way to start the year. Comedy, tragedy, grief, and a cross-country bike ride. An American Don Quixote.
I wish I could hear the discussion my old Porters and Prose book group would have had for this one.
I wish I could hear the discussion my old Porters and Prose book group would have had for this one.
redheadd2's review
4.0
I enjoyed this story but it's one of those that would be hard to sum up for someone that wanted to know what it was about. You just have to read it and follow along with Smithy as his whole world is turned upside down. I've never thought to ride my bike so far, but I'll admit to times in my life where I've hopped in a car and just drove as far away as I could, seeking something I wasn't even certain of myself. I like to think that Smithy found everything he was looking for, proof that it doesn't matter how old you are, you can find what you've been missing in life and live a happily ever after.
lynnbrewerwrites's review against another edition
5.0
Remember in Forrest Gump when he starts running, and he thinks his running was his way of putting the past behind him?
Smithy Ide is doing the same thing, but on a bicycle.
Smithy Ide is doing the same thing, but on a bicycle.
karen_lipkey's review
1.0
I just couldn't go on with the book. I got about 125 pages in and quit. The main character is unlikeable and 'victimy' though there is no one making him drink that much beer, eat that much crappy food and smoke, etc.
The other irritating thing about the book is that there are men and then there are titties. Titties are these things that have human beings attached to them called 'women'. About every other page the author has to comment on titties and what they do for him. "I saw a pair of small titties in my family that others called 'my sister' and sister titties had mental health issues" (she ain't the only one, pal). Ironic that a man so obsessed with titties just doesn't spend all of his time consumed by his own moobs (which he's got to have if he's that overweight). Fixate on your own homegrown titties, you obsessive!
The other irritating thing about the book is that there are men and then there are titties. Titties are these things that have human beings attached to them called 'women'. About every other page the author has to comment on titties and what they do for him. "I saw a pair of small titties in my family that others called 'my sister' and sister titties had mental health issues" (she ain't the only one, pal). Ironic that a man so obsessed with titties just doesn't spend all of his time consumed by his own moobs (which he's got to have if he's that overweight). Fixate on your own homegrown titties, you obsessive!