The Memory of Running

De: Ron McLarty

Narrado por: Ron McLarty

Award-winning actor and playwright Ron McLarty is well known for his audiobook performances. What fewer people realize is that he's also an accomplished author. In this wonderfully quirky novel, available exclusively as an audiobook, McLarty takes readers on a quest to find hope and redemption with an unlikely hero.

Smithson Ide is 43 years old and weighs 279 pounds when his parents die in an accident. Lost in memories of childhood, Smithson uncovers his old Raleigh bicycle in the garage and begins a cross-country journey to find his beautiful, but tragically psychotic sister. Keenly aware of how ridiculous he must appear, Smithson nonetheless perseveres through a journey that is hilarious and horrifying. It is a trip, he soon realizes, that might provide his last chance to become the person he has always wanted to be.

In late 2003, in his column in Entertainment Weekly, Stephen King called The Memory of Running "the best novel you won't read this year." This glowing endorsement of the audiobook resulted in Ron McLarty receiving a $2 million two-book deal from Viking Penguin. Also, Warner Brothers has shelled out big bucks for the movie rights to The Memory of Running, for which McLarty will write the script.©2002 Ron McLarty (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Ron McLarty's The Memory of Running is the best novel you won't read this year. But you can experience it, and I'm all but positive that you'll thank me for the tip if you do....What I hope is that you'll order a copy and experience it for yourself....It's bighearted and as satisfying as one of your mom's home-cooked Sunday dinners." (Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly)

Likable book about a not so likable character

I kept hoping the book was going somewhere, and while it was an interesting journey, it was an anti-climatic book. I couldn't even like a single character no matter how much I tried.

Memory of Running

If you're looking for a book that gives you an exciting plot with a great pull-it-all-together climax then this book is not for you. It took a bit for me to get into the story but I stuck with it and was glad I did. I got into the groove of Smithy's cross-country trip and looked forward to the hour each weekday of commute time so I could travel with the big lug (that's how I thought of Smithy) on his road trip and be told about the events in his life, past and present, that made him the person he was and to find out what was next going to happen to him "on the road."
The narrator/author, Ron McLarty, struck just the right tone of how I imagined Smithy to be -- an under-achieving blue-collar worker with a good heart who probably scored on the low side of average on an IQ test. He hasn't much of a clue about how to interact with people or how to approach a problem, he just sort of stumbles through. But you want him to succeed, you want him to be happy, and in the end I think he had made strides in that direction.

Different but worth the listen

I'm one of the Ron McLarty fans so had to listen. This is a most unusual story, a bit quirky and earthy. So I had to look McLarty up. No idea what I was expecting but I came away wondering how in the world anyone could help but like him.

I don't know how to summarize the book but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Relatable

I took the advice of the other reviewers, and I'm glad I did. Great book about family and growing up. The main character, Smithy, has an everyday guy quality to him. I found myself really getting into the story and wondering what the next twist in his journey would be. Great listen.

Perhaps the best audio book I've ever heard

It has been a couple of weeks since I tore through this audio book, listening well into the night. I didn't want it to end. It might be that as a hard copy book it would be confusing, but as an audio book it was easy to follow; not only is the story wonderful but the narrator is excellent. My only problem was removing the sound of his voice from my head; a veritable earworm. Perhaps one of the best books I have heard.

Don't pass up this story

I've purchased over 100 audiobooks and never written a review. I had to take the time to do it for this one. I'd hate to see anyone miss the chance to listen to the beautiful story that is so well read. I like action, adventure, and horror stories the best. On first glance this wouldn't be considered to be any of the above. It is however a little bit of each. My wife and I have been going to be early to listen. Each night we play on a little and then look forward to hearing more of this delightful story each night. Listen and enjoy!

Wonderful!

I can't say enough good about this book. I have listened to it twice, and I know I will listen to it again and again. Maybe it takes a person who can relate to Smithy to really "get it." I don't know. What I do know is that this character drew me in from the start. I felt for him, wished for him, loved him, wanted him to succeed. I cried at the end for all the sadness and despair in the book, but felt so triumphant for Smithy, having finished his quest. I have never read a book that is so sad and so hopeful at the same time. Well done, Ron McLarty!

Weekend read

I enjoy McLarty's narration and this episodic self realization trip across the nation is enjoyable enough to keep my attention through a weekend romp. I can only recommend this book for McLarty's narration fans, the writing itself is rather weak and simplistic.

wonderful

You want to know this family. And then you realize you DO know this family. The book feels real, and warm, and funny and sad. . It kept me guessing until the end. So many "Aha!" moments. Just a darn good book. Good read (or listen) for a rainy day or sick day........you'll see.

A gem!

From looking at the other reviews it appears that this book polarizes it's listening audience. If you are one of the people lucky enough that this book touches your heart, you have found a gem. For the rest, sorry for your bad luck and stuff.