Alison's Automotive Repair Manual: A Novel

By: Brad Barkley

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

A widow in her mid thirties, Alison has been in mourning for two years. She lives with her sister and brother-in-law in West Virginia, and they are urging her to get on with her life and move back home. Alison promises to leave--just as soon as she renovates a nearly-ruined 1976 Corvette rusting in their garage. Problem is, she doesn't know the first thing about cars, and the fact that the townspeople (with the exception of a cute demolition man) are bewildered by a woman messing with automotive parts does not help.©2003 Brad Barkley; (P)2003 Books on Tape

Goes Nowhere

The publisher's entire summary encompasses the first four chapters. Within those chapters there is no tension. Nor is there a sufficient plot line to keep you reading. While the title is intriguing, the idea doesn't get off the ground. Alison does a lot of whining and continues to question the meaning of life and if it even has one. Her level of maturity is questionable. Alison is actually vapid and doesn't want to get on with life, a sentiment her sister concurs with. Her only interest is actually herself. Don't give up a credit for this book.

Repairing more than cars

ALISON'S is both the repair manual of its title and a novel tracing repairs within and among characters. What lingers after reading it-- it's been more than a year since I finished it-- is the gentle affection for a wide range of quirky personalities, including an unforgettable expert in trivia who uses "little known facts" to negotiate relationships.