Big Fish meets The Notebook in this emotionally evocative story about a man, a woman, and an alligator that is a moving tribute to love, from the New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning memoir Rocket Boys—the basis of the movie October Sky.Elsie Lavender and Homer Hickam (the father of the author) were high school classmates in the West Virginia coalfields, graduating just as the … the West Virginia coalfields, graduating just as the Great Depression began. When Homer asked for her hand, Elsie instead headed to Orlando where she sparked with a dancing actor named Buddy Ebsen (yes, that Buddy Ebsen). But when Buddy headed for New York, Elsie’s dreams of a life with him were crushed and eventually she found herself back in the coalfields, married to Homer.
Unfulfilled as a miner’s wife, Elsie was reminded of her carefree days with Buddy every day because of his unusual wedding gift: an alligator named Albert she raised in the only bathroom in the house. When Albert scared Homer by grabbing his pants, he gave Elsie an ultimatum: “Me or that alligator!” After giving it some thought, Elsie concluded there was only one thing to do: Carry Albert home.
Carrying Albert Home is the funny, sweet, and sometimes tragic tale of a young couple and a special alligator on a crazy 1,000-mile adventure. Told with the warmth and down-home charm that made Rocket Boys a beloved bestseller, Homer Hickam’s rollicking tale is ultimately a testament to that strange and marvelous emotion we inadequately call love.
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An interesting story line. You had to stick with it..
I love Homer Hickam, and this is his funniest book yet. In the great mountain tradition of tall tales, this one tops them all. His mother’s ambivalence about the marriage and her crush on rhe real actor Buddy Ebsen add depth and resonance.
It’s a hoot!
Surprisingly magical for an “almost true” story!
I only wish that Mr. Hickam’s parents had actually lived it. Even so, few of us have such memories of mom and dad that they would become the main characters in a novel. Homer the younger is a lucky man.
Funny, quirky, a great read.
Truly a fun read. I liked it so much that I bought a second copy for my 10-year old granddaughter.
I then decided he was such a good writer I read his autobiography, Rocket Boys. Loved that as well
An interesting book to read! Thoroughly enjoyable!
I loved this book–highly recommend it to all my friends.
I LOVED this book! It was a wonderfully crazy book about a couple on a road trip in the 30’s with a 4’ pet, yes PET, alligator!! They had some amazing adventures that you could almost see in your mind, thanks to the author’s great descriptions.
Loved it!
Like watching a 1940’s movie. Great characters brought to life in this charming road novel. Just a fun read.
really more interesting than I thought it would be. at first I was disappointed that I had purchased, but I have to admit it was pretty good.
I enjoyed reading about the crazy things that happened in this book.