Friday, March 16, 2007

The Memory of Running

The Memory of Running
By Ron McLarty

Smithy Ide, overweight, middle-aged and bordering on alcoholism lives his life from day to day in a dead end job. While coping with a sudden family tragedy, Smithy uncovers his beloved childhood bicycle and finds himself embarking on a "quest" riding across the country from New Jersey to California. Along the way, he meets many different people who help him deal with issues from his past and guide him towards a new outlook for his future.

From the beginning, it is very easy to root for Smithy. You learn about his tragedies through the setup of the book which tidily alternates between his ride across America and his journey through adolescence. The story is dark, initially involving a lot of sadness and regret, but because of Smithy's wonderful personality and outlook, you end up feeling hopeful and content. I'd say that overall this book is a pretty fast and easy read. The descriptions of the landscape are picturesque but not overly wordy and the characters are all lovable in their own way. It was a good way to split up the multiple nonfiction books I find myself reading these days.

P.S. Look out for Smithy's stop in Mascoutah, Illinois. My hometown. YIPPEE!!!

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