I was a little underwhelmed by this book. Not that I didn’t enjoy it on some level, but it was far less enjoyable than I was expecting.
Smithson Ide is a vastly overweight, middle aged loner, who numbs his pain with alcohol and food. As the beginning of the book, his parents get killed in a road accident, and shortly afterwards, he finds that his sister, who disappeared years previously, has also died. Smithson takes his old Raleigh bicycle, and just starts pedalling. And then he just carries on.
I have a feeling that this is supposed to be one of those ‘life affirming books’ that makes you feel good. It isn’t, and it doesn’t. I actually found it quite depressing, and the main character is really not all that likable.
The writing itself was fine, and Smithson was a well developed character; however, I just couldn’t empathise with him on any level and felt that he was not someone I wanted to spend time reading about.
Not awful, but I won’t be reading anything else by this author.
(Author’s website can be found here.)
Whew. You need to pick something a little lighter next time…have you tried David Sedaris? Or someone along his lines? Your sentence that began: "Smithson Ide is a vastly overweight, middle-aged loner, who numbs his pain with…": That did it for me. I was turned off by it right there. I won't pick this one up at the library. Hopefully, our library didn't pick it up either.
Hi,
I just picked up "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" and am looking forward to it. And also for a different kind of laugh, a book by P.J. O'Rourke. Of course, after I told you about Sedaris, I also thought about Tom Robbins, who definitely isn't all depressing like that one sounded. Oh, don't read "House of Sand and Fog" by Andre Dubus III or whatever the heck his name is…if you're looking for something to pick you up. I tried that book once and almost killed myself part way through…I don't even know if I finished it. Of course, if it's one of your favorite books, please ignore what I just said.
Haha – no I haven't read House of Sand and Fog, and I think I'll give it a miss!! Never read any P J O'Rourke either – off to check him out on Amazon right now.
Sorry, I'm late — getting to this. Don't know of what political stripe you are, but warning: O'Rourke is very conservative, but even though I consider myself a moderate, I find him funny nonetheless…maybe because I think conservatives are funny creatures anyway.