The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty
Release date: 2004 / 358 pages
Synopsis (from back cover): “Meet Smithson ‘Smithy’ Ide, an overweight, friendless, chain-smoking, forty-three-year-old drunk who works as a quality control inspector at a toy-action-figure factory in Rhode Island. By all accounts, especially Smithy’s own, he’s a loser. Then, within the span of one week, his beloved parents are killed in a car crash, and Smithy learns that his emotionally troubled, long-lost sister, Bethany, has turned up in a morgue in Los Angeles. Unmoored by the loss of his entire family — Smithy had always hoped Bethany might return — he rolls down the driveway of his parents’ house on his old Raleigh bicycle into an epic journey that will take him clear across the country.”
First line: “My parents’ Ford wagon hit a concrete divider on U.S. 95 outside Biddeford, Maine, in August 1990.”
Review:
I had not heard of this novel until my friend Monica mentioned that her book club had read and enjoyed it, and I’m so glad she recommended it since I would NOT have chosen it based on the above plot synopsis (sounds a bit dreary, doesn’t it?!)
As you can see from the plot synopsis, the protagonist experiences a series of devastating tragedies, and at a time in his life when he is really not in a position to handle the rigors of everyday life, let alone the loss of every family member. However, this novel never becomes maudlin or sappy. “Smithy” is somehow devoid of self-pity and is quite likeable, even though I struggle to explain why.
He is in his early forties, and is not taking care of himself at all – his diet consists of junk food and copious amounts of alcohol — his job is unfulfilling, and he has few (if any) friends. The plot of the novel is pretty unbelievable, really, considering the daunting task of biking from Rhode Island to California (especially considering the shape Smithy is in). And, honestly, I would have edited the journey a bit in parts – we meet so many quirky people on the way that eventually his journey becomes slightly tedious. But if asked which characters I would cut, I struggle to eliminate any! Each has a role in Smithy’s journey and recovery and by suspending our disbelief (of the possibility of actually undertaking such a journey), we too enjoy the journey and Smithy’s company.
The structure of the narrative is compelling and effective. As Smithy bikes across the country, he flashes back to scenes with his sister, Bethany, allowing us to discover her psychologically as he gets closer to identifying her physical body. Although never diagnosed by the woefully negligent psychiatrists she sees throughout her childhood, it appears that Bethany suffers from schizophrenia. Throughout Smithy’s childhood, she suffers a series of “attacks” – and is led to do harmful things to herself and to others by a voice in her head. Smithy and his parents are only able to watch helplessly as Bethany disappears again and again until she is finally found dead.
So, as Smithy is getting in shape physically throughout his journey, we witness him coming to terms with his sister as well – although this emotional reckoning is never heavy-handed. In addition, we see him begin to accept love from a childhood neighbor who has always had a fierce affection for him.
Overall, I whole-heartedly recommend this novel – and would love to read a sequel, actually. Near the end, I flipped to the biography at the back and discovered the author is an actor (Law and Order, Sex and the City) – I never would have guessed that he needed a day job! I hope he continues to write in the future – he has a lovely “voice” – subtle, compassionate, and engrossing. Thanks for the recommendation, Monica!
This sounds like an interesting story. thank for reviewing it. Have a nice Sunday.
I read this book several years ago and loved the journey of the story. Great review!
This sounds really interesting. I’ll have to check it out. Great review
Thanks, Karen and Samantha! I did really enjoy it…