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Evil Knievel Days (2000)

by Pauls Toutonghi(Favorite Author)

3.79 of 5 Votes: 1

languge

English

genre

review 1: This is one of those books I would have never picked up as I have absolutely no interest in Evel Knievel (when spouse saw the book in my basket said "Are you reading about Evel Knievel??") and the cover doesn't exactly scream "pick me up and read me now!" so I never thought about bringing it home. However, when querying library staff for their favorite books of 2012, this was mentioned and to my delight found it is not only a wonderful book (so far) but it's authored by an Oregon writer! Final words on this book: I found it to be a wonderful read and enjoyed it thoroughly. It's not often I find a book I can recommend to just about anyone but this is one I'll be raving about to many friends and patrons. It has vivid settings (Butte, Montana and Cairo, Egypt), well-drawn and... more sympathetic characters, and a compelling storyline, with lots of gorgeous writing. This has a lot of heart and I hope this author gets the attention he deserves. While I was reading this, the word "quirky" came to mind and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to readers of Ann Tyler and Jonathan Tropper.
review 2: It is always a pleasure to read a novel by an author willing to take risks, see the world a different way, and share the joy. This book has such life and humanity, the characters are delightfully quirky, well meaning, but flawed and striving. Koshi Saqr descended on his mother’s side from the Copper Kings, his great-great-grandfather the rapacious William Andrews Clark, was a man who knew a thing or two about pulling wealth out of the ground of Butte Montana. Koshi’s Dad deserted the family, returning to Egypt leaving behind his wife, infant son, and a mountain of gambling debts. Routine is big in Koshi’s life, he is a bit obsessive, wanting everything in its proper place and following its proper routine. This can lead to interesting conflicts in a world that seldom agrees to stay under control and a city that celebrates the exploits of a daredevil motorcycle rider. He works in the museum located in his great-great grandfather’s mansion. Koshi’s Mom isn’t just marching to the beat of a different drummer; she has a whole other band. The very ground that made her ancestors wealthy is poisoning her; the copper gave her an illness that manifests in very odd behavior. Evel Kneivel Days are in full swing when events spin out of control. Koshi’s closest childhood friend announces she is marrying her boyfriend, dashing Koshi’s hopes. A strange man shows up, visits Koshi’s Mom and leaves. The stranger is dear old Dad; he didn’t even contact his son. It is high time Koshi finds out about the other half of his heritage; he hops a jet plane to Egypt in pursuit of his father. There he will find a whole new family, answers to who he might be, and the foibles of being human. Amusing, endearing, and entertaining, Koshi is on a journey to resolve his heritage and come to terms with its legacy. I loved the way Toutonghi wrote with humor and an original style, telling a lively entertaining story about a family that refuses to fit into a box. less

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