The Memory of Running

By: Ron McLarty

Narrated by: Ron McLarty

Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Critic reviews

"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)

I said Stupidly

I drove from Washington to Socal, this this story made the drive go by fast, I did not want it to end. Inspirational and touching. Made me think of all to good things in life. I found this title by searching by narrator, the author is a great narrator.

Great Entertainment

Would you listen to The Memory of Running again? Why?

Yes, I love the people who are revealed in the sojourn and the narration by the author is a great performance.

What did you like best about this story?

It unfolded in a way that I felt like I was part of the experience

Have you listened to any of Ron McLarty’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

After listening to The Memory of Running, I listened to The Traveler. Also a wonderful read. More plot driven than Running.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh, out loud, should come with a warning. Its very embarrassing with an iPod.

Any additional comments?

I have, and continue to, recommend this book to others.

The hook ..

This was my very first audible listen. A great tale unfolded by the author himself.

Memorable Book

What did you love best about The Memory of Running?

The best road trip I've ever taken on a bike!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Memory of Running?

The entire book goes from one memorable moment to another.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book made me laugh and cry. I recommend it highly.

Lose yourself in one mans' past and present pains

I have to admit I was a little reluctant to wade out of the stephen king and john grisham audiobook waters but at the behest of King, I decided to give this novel a try. McLarty is a supurb narrarator and and an equally wonderful writer. This story draws you in immediately and leaves you longing for more. I think everyone has experienced some of Smithy's woes, and that is what connects you to this character. You just have to hope for the best for him and the rest of the characters. Anyone that does not or cannot enjoy this story, just does not have a heart.

Disappointing

Based on the strong overall rating of this book (4.36) and Stephen King's endorsement, I thought that this would be a great book to listen to, but I was wrong. This book is filled with flashbacks, which I just don't like, either in books or movies. But what I really felt was lacking was the excitement. A man who's life is more or less focused on 16 oz. beers decides he needs to ride a bike, across the United States. An interesting premise, except that not much happens, except for a few flats, lack of money, and an unwelome sexual advance. Don't pay too much attention to my review since I'm clearly in the minority on this book.

Hallmark Special

I love the reviewer who compared this book to Forest Gump - if that line about "a box of chocolates" makes you want to pull out your hair, skip this one. If you think you might enjoy a sentimental hallmark after-school-special with some adult themes, go for it...

Awful

Boring, trite, sacharine. Mediocre writing at its worse.

Boring, Unentertaining

I've found through the years that I can generally trust reader reviews when trying something different. This book is the exception. In spite of its overall 4-star rating, I found it to be tedious, boring and completely unentertaining. I tried twice to listen to it but wasn't able to stay with it for more than the first half. Listen to the sample narration before buying. It's equally as dull as the disjointed story itself.

This is a dud!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The book was so annoying and cloying, that I needed to bathe to get all the treacle off!This couldn't have been a 5 star, because it was just so dumb, american as apple pie, a book for idiots. I really resent the time I spent on it.

What do you think your next listen will be?

don't know...

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator (author) sounded like a Forest Gump knock-off, or a 5 year old...

What character would you cut from The Memory of Running?

all of them, except the crazy girl Bethany!

Any additional comments?

The relationship between the very annoying Norma-in-the-wheelchair character and the fat slob she loves ( our hero!), was totally bogus - what was that, mercy love? Or he found God? It was so weird and undeveloped and predictable, and SOPHOMORIC, a feel-good bunch of intellectually low-hanging nonsense.