Preston Clearwater has been a criminal since stealing two chain saws and 1,600 pairs of aviator sunglasses from the army during the Second World War. Back on the road in postwar North Carolina, now a member of a car-theft ring, he picks up hitchhiking Henry Dampier, an innocent twenty-year-old Bible salesman. Clearwater immediately recognizes Henry as smart but gullible, just the associate he needs--one who will believe Clearwater is working undercover for the F.B.I.; one who will drive the cars Clearwater steals as ...
Read More
Preston Clearwater has been a criminal since stealing two chain saws and 1,600 pairs of aviator sunglasses from the army during the Second World War. Back on the road in postwar North Carolina, now a member of a car-theft ring, he picks up hitchhiking Henry Dampier, an innocent twenty-year-old Bible salesman. Clearwater immediately recognizes Henry as smart but gullible, just the associate he needs--one who will believe Clearwater is working undercover for the F.B.I.; one who will drive the cars Clearwater steals as Clearwater follows along in his own car at a safe distance. Henry joyfully sees a chance to lead a dual life as a Bible salesman and a G-man. During his hilarious and scary adventures, Henry grapples with doubts about the Bible's accuracy, and we learn of his fundamentalist upbringing, an upbringing that doesn't prepared him for his new life. As he falls in love with the captivating Marleen Green and questions his religious training, Henry begins to see he's being used--that he is on his own in a way he never imagined.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. New York: Little, Brown and Company / Back Bay Books, September 2009. Trade Paperback. First Paperback Edition / full number line. Fine. Not from a li brary. Black remainder dot to top edge. Not clipped. 241 pages + 14 pages r eaders guide. In post-war North Carolina, a member of a car-theft ring picks up an innocent nineteen-year-old Bible salesman and recognizes the young man as just the associate he needs--one who will believe he is working as an F.B.I. spy, one who will drive the cars he steals.
I was so bored with this book - after about page 50, I had to stop. The rest of the girls in my book club agreed with me... it was not a page turner, nothing exciting happened, it was dry and humorless. Do not waste your time. Maybe okay for an older generation - 60 years and up... anyone younger - please, do yourself a favor and find something more stimulating to read.
avery
Aug 13, 2009
Too real...Too funny!
Believe me, if you grew up in the south, you know the people in this novel. And if it makes David Sedaris laugh out loud, you're onto something. Still, there are vivid moments that are sad, and as disturbingly grim as poor southern life could be many decades ago. I enjoyed this more than "Walking To Egypt," as the simplicity of the characters is the same, but the complexity of the situations they find themselves in is fascinating. A very good, very rewarding read.