Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

The Memory of Running is basically a road novel, the story of one man's redemption; it's about growing up, getting older, family and friends, mental illness and the Vietnam War. Smithy, a 43 year old Purple Heart recipient of the Vietnam War, is overweight and he drinks and smokes too much. With a lousy job, no friends, no girlfriend and an apartment he hates, he has just his parents and too many unhappy memories for company.

After a tragedy strikes at home, Smithy sets off on a quixotic bike ride across America, encountering random acts of kindness and small catastrophes along the way. As he rides, he reflects on his youth which was fractured by Bethany, his lovely but schizophrenic sister who was the cause of much family angst; on Norma, the wheelchair bound childhood neighbor who adored Smithy; and on eleven months he spent in Vietnam. But it is his relationship with Bethany which haunts him well into his adult years and will prove to be the impetus for his ride. Along the way, he is mistaken for a homeless person by an overzealous priest; a conman and thief by a doctor whose dying AIDS patient has knocked Smithy from his bike injuring him; and for a child molester by a group of mothers. Belatedly Smithy finds in himself a freedom and resilience previously unknown and untapped.

This is an sometimes funny, sometimes melancholic story and you will find that Smithy wins a place in your heart; he will become a favorite anti-hero. This novel is a wonderful effort for the author who originally could not find a publisher so recorded it himself as an audio-book. Stephen King listened to the story then pushed it through his own publishers. All I can say is thank goodness for that, otherwise this gorgeous story might have disappeared from the view of the physical book reader .

I read this book because my GR friend Elaine has marked it with a 5 rating; thank you Elaine, you have excellent taste. Stephen King says �Smithy is an American original, worthy of a place on the shelf just below you Hucks, your Holdens and your Yossarians.� He is not wrong in that summation. I loved Smithy and I loved his story. Definitely 5� from me.