Love and Reruns in Adams County

Rating:
Summary: Why don't we see more of Mark Spencer?
Review: Booklist does an excellent review of this work by Mr. Spencer, so that there is little I can add other than to simply say-- TRACK THIS BOOK DOWN AND *READ IT*!!

But, don't be surprised it it stays with you, if the characters haunt you after you close it up and shelve it away; they may all be sad, dysfunctional, maudlin hayseeds, but there's a bit of Bobby, Pamela, Lon and Becky Anne in each of us... It's the humanity of the characters-- as unexamined lives as they may be leading-- that is most appealing about this book. Whatever else they are or are are not, whatever else they may or may have not done with their lives, they're REAL and they're ALIVE. *That's* what makes this book worth finding and reading!!

Rating:
Summary: Worth Tracking Down
Review: I am so happy I discovered Love and Reruns in Adams County. This is a terrific novel that reminded me in many ways of Richard Russo's novels. It is a novel full of lovable losers in deadend lives, and despite that, is still a joy to read. The characters may be depressed, but, because Mark Spencer injects just enough humor into the novel, the reader is never depressed. Spencer writes in a witty, wry style. I hope to read more of Spencer's works. I can't believe this one did not get more attention when it was published. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Worth Tracking Down
Review: I am so happy I discovered Love and Reruns in Adams County. This is a terrific novel that reminded me in many ways of Richard Russo's novels. It is a novel full of lovable losers in deadend lives, and despite that, is still a joy to read. The characters may be depressed, but, because Mark Spencer injects just enough humor into the novel, the reader is never depressed. Spencer writes in a witty, wry style. I hope to read more of Spencer's works. I can't believe this one did not get more attention when it was published. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully Drawn Characters, A Lovely Writing Style
Review: It really pains me to see only two reviews of this funny, sad poignant and very "real" book here. LOVE AND RERUNS IN ADAMS COUNTY is one of the best books I've read in a long time.

Mark Spencer has remembered what so many authors forget: Readers care about people and it's characters that make a book "come alive" rather than plot (although this book is well-plotted, too, and Spencer hasn't forgotten to give us a story).

I loved the characters in LOVE AND RERUNS IN ADAMS COUNTY, especially because they so often did the "wrong" thing rather than the "right" thing. These are people with troubles, with idiosyncrasies, with failed careers and failed marriages, people who struggle to do the "right" thing yet so often find themselves doing just the opposite instead. They are people like you and me and everyone else in the world. Even though "their" world was a foreign one to me, I could still identify with them and I cared about them deeply.

LOVE AND RERUNS IN ADAMS COUNTY centers around Lon Peterson, a failed baseball player who has returned to Adams County, Ohio for the funeral of his father. He can't help but encounter his ex-wife Pam (now a counter girl at the local McDonald's) and Pam's second husband, Bobby. Bobby is someone who makes me think Pam might have been better off to stay married to Lon. Then there's Lon's new girlfriend, Crystal, who, by the way, just happens to be married to someone else (not Lon).

Lon and Pamela and Bobby and Crystal and the other inhabitants of LOVE AND REURNS IN ADAMS COUNTY are people I really cared about and people I wanted to spend time with...a lot of time. Spencer could have doubled the number of pages in his book and I wouldn't have tired of reading it.

The editorial review expresses some disappointment in the lack of a clear denouement. This didn't trouble me. Sometimes I think a denouement can detract (as it did in THE ENGLISH PATIENT) and, at other times, it's clearly needed. I think in the case of LOVE AND RERUNS IN ADAMS COUNTY, it's simply a matter of personal preference. I didn't feel the lack and I fell in love with the book and with the author's easy, gentle writing style.

If you love character-driven books or are just looking for something "real" to read, something that will tug at your heart and stay with you for years to come, I couldn't recommend a better book than LOVE AND RERUNS IN ADAMS COUNTY. Track down a copy and read it today!

Rating:
Summary: Why don't we see more of Mark Spencer?
Review: Mark Spencer is one of the best literary writers alive! Why don't we see more of him? His writing is a thousand percent better than most of the works being published today. Take a hint, publishers!!! LOVE AND RERUNS IN ADAMS COUNTRY is an excellent book - so well written. The story and the characters remain with you forever.