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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Quirky fun! Delightful read – pure escapism with true incidents and real people woven into the story. Really enjoyed it…would like to know more about what happened next – a sequel perhaps?
At first I was put off by the pet alligator, but once I got into the real (quasi-real) story, I realized the couple’s adventure was truly about their most inner feelings, regrets and inspirations. This isn’t your ordinary love story which is why I ended up really enjoying the read. “Memorable” in a good way!
Fun book about some WVa. Coal crackers and their alligator.
This poignant, funny story of a man learning about his parent’s bizarre journey to Florida rolls along from surprise to surprise. Homer Hickam’s deft dialogue and conversational prose entertains from start to finish.
I posted my review on Twitter with @realHomerHickam and he tweeted back, “Albert and I are sorry we failed you by an entire star.” He added two sad emojis and a cartoon image of Albert in a washing tub.
Homer Hickam made my day!
It’s the almost true story of a couple carrying her alligator from West Virginia to Flordia. Some of adventures may have been exaggerated a bit but it sure livens up the story. Amusing, fast moving, I recommend it.
Delightful characters and fantasical tales, some if which was set in an area close to my home.
What a delightful little gem. I loved this book from the first chapter to the last page. If you’re looking for a clean, light-hearted, entertaining read about a man, his wife and her alligator (with a nameless rooster thrown in for good measure) this is the book for you. I literally laughed out loud as this crew made their way down the Eastern seaboard encountering bank robbers, bootleggers and a host of other eccentric characters. Read it. You’ll be glad you did. It’s a treasure.
Sad to see it end!
4 plus stars. I envy Mr. Hickam’s many talents. This offering is him at his story-telling (tongue-in-cheek) best. No wonder these parents produced a son who grew into both a disciplined engineer and creative author.
Enjoyed it with the understanding that it is only sort of true. Love the premise.
Very entertaining and a fun read!
I had a difficult time staying with the story because of the way he went back to present.
The adventures in each state got boring too me as well. Not like Rocket Boys.
I loved this book. I seldom use the word delightful but it is a perfect description of the story. I would love to see it as a film.
What a hoot! Hickam takes his true life parents and puts them into a picaresque journey with an alligator, a rooster, and hilarious characters. I am not finished yet, but can’t wait to read the next chapter.
This was a crazy story of a couple who owned an alligator, given to them by Buddy Epsen, as a wedding gift. Elsie, the female protagonist, thought it was for her only, as she had dated Buddy Epsen, and thought he had given it to her. She referred to the alligator as “her little boy”! They put him in a tub, loaded him into the Buick Touring Car, and started on the trip. They encountered many adventures on their way to Orlando, Florida, where they intended to let Albert go.
Lots of fun and silliness along the way….also a bit of a scare at times for some wild things that happened. But it was an unusual story, told by the son of the couple who took this trip to return Albert to Orlando. I enjoyed this book. It was so different, I think that is why. I would recommend anyone, who likes to read stories that take you to another world, read this book.
Cute story using family legends as a base. Easy read, purely entertaining.
Fun book to read.
It was a fast and different read
This book is one of the funniest I’ve ever read.
Every time I think of this story, I smile. Books should do that for a person.