Step by Step

A Pedestrian Memoir

By: Lawrence Block

Narrated by: Michael Bonner

From the revered The New York Times best-selling author comes a touching, insightful, and humorous memoir of an unlikely race-walker and world traveler. Lawrence Block is the author of best-selling novels featuring unforgettable characters such as the hit man Keller, private investigator Matthew Scudder, burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr, and time traveler Evan Tanner. But much before he became an author, he was a walker.

As a child, he walked home from school (mostly because he couldn't ride a bike). As a college student, he walked until he was able to buy his first car (a deep blue 1950 Chevrolet coupe named Pamela, after the Samuel Richardson novel). As an adult, he ran marathons until he discovered what would become a lifelong obsession - never mind if some people didn't think it was a real sport - racewalking. By that time, Lawrence had already spent plenty of time walking through the city of New York. But racewalking ended up taking him all over the country, from New Orleans to Anchorage, from marathons in the punishing heat to marathons in the pouring rain. And along the way, as he began to pen the books that would make him a household name among suspense fans all over the world, he found that in life, as in writing, you just need to take one step after the other.

Through the lens of his adventures while walking, in 24-hour races, on a pilgrimage through Spain, and just about everywhere you can imagine, Lawrence Block shares his heartwarming personal story about life's trials and tribulations, discomforts and successes, which truly lets listeners walk a mile in the master of mystery's shoes.

©2009 Lawence Block (P)2019 Lawrence Block

One mile at a time

Master novelist Lawrence Block serves up a charming slice of non-fiction with this chronicle of his adventures as a race walker. Those already familiar with Block's storytelling prowess won't be surprised by the engagement he engenders with his words, as he recounts tales both triumphant and painful. I cheered him on as he completed marathons all over the country, and winced with him as he suffered injuries and setbacks. Throughout the book, Block comes across as both likable and admirable in his determination to finish what he started. This is an excellent addition to any Block fan's collection, revealing a more personal, and personable, side of the renowned author. The narration is crisp and breezy, showcasing the text without calling attention away from it.

Fantastic

Step by Step is a delight. Block’s reliable ‘voice’ as writer handles a memoir as well it does fiction, and though he spends time on his early life and travels (with a wonderful section devoted to a pilgrimage he took with his wife across Spain), the real pull here is his race walking. Regardless if you’ve been invested in the sport or not, Block’s rich writing recounts a niche aspect of his life in an accessible and engrossing manner. Michael Bonner’s commanding voice is a joy to listen to, and he is an excellent proxy for the writer.

Not sure why I finished

The narrator did his best to make this interesting but it has to be the most self-indulgent book ever written. There were a couple of interesting spots, and I was inspired to look into longer races myself, but it’s primarily a recitation of lap times and training distances and blisters.