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A review by pattydsf
Carrying Albert Home: The Somewhat True Story of A Man, His Wife, and Her Alligator by Homer Hickam
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.