Helpful Score: 6
I loved this book! It was tragic,hilarious,heartfelt and absolutely worth the time spent reading it. Leaves you with a feeling of all that is wrong (and right)with the human condition.
Amanda G. (akgreen) reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 67 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book - the title character truly lives a miracle life, recovering from one impossible situation after another. One of the most unique books I've read.
Jody A. reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 179 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Reminiscent of another debut Ken Kesey's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest this powerful first novel by short story writer Udall (Letting Loose the Hounds) is constructed around grotesque set pieces; black humor drives the plot. Set in the late '60s, Udall's story begins when seven-year-old Edgar Mint, the half-Apache, half-white narrator, is run over by the mailman's car, his head crushed. Abandoned by his grandmother and alcoholic mother after his remarkable recovery, the boy begins an odyssey through various institutions and homes, starting with St. Divine's hospital in Globe, Ariz., where he recuperates, through Willie Sherman's, a horrific school for Indian children, ending up placed with a dysfunctional Mormon family in Richland, Utah. The novel's long middle section, describing Edgar's brutalization at the Indian school by the other kids, captures the effect of what seems like endless bullying on a child's consciousness. Against this hostility, Edgar concocts a homemade magic, which consists mainly of typing on a clunky Hermes typewriter given to him by a fellow St. Divine's patient, Art Crozier, a middle-aged man who has lost his family in a car wreck. One of Udall's best touches is to make the doctor who saved Edgar, Barry Pinkley, into a mysterious and menacing figure, perpetually lurking on the sidelines, rather like Clare Quilty in Lolita. While Pinkley strives maniacally to be Edgar's guardian angel, the boy views him with ambivalent loathing. When Pinkley, disguised as a Mormon missionary, seduces Lana Madsen, the wife in the Mormon family that takes Edgar in, he sets off the final catastrophe in the boy's life. Udall's style is reminiscent of the '60s black humorists, but he doesn't share their easy cruelty or inveterate superciliousness, making this not only an accomplished novel, but a wise one.
Victoria S. (vixvix) -
Helpful Score: 1
I thouroughly enjoyed this somewhat strange book about this messed up little boy. Even though his life is full of torment, he never gives up. He keeps striving for something better. This is not one of those sad books that you feel guilty you read. It is really quite uplifting and heroic. This book is well written and easy to read, despite the crude material. I had never read anything by this author, but I think I will look around to see what else is out there. I highly recommend this book!
Diane T. (dtsbestbooks) reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Although depressing in plot this is a story of rising above with forgiveness and positive thoughts. Edgar, I'd love to know him!! Being Native American, I especially was taken back to the challenges and difficulties present on indian reservations.....
Kathleen L. (noisynora) reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 130 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was great and the first that I have read by this author - everyone else who loved this book and wrote a review was right - there are times when you laugh out loud and can totally identify with this character. At points the book switches between the first and third person, but not so much as to confuse the reader. Would certainly search out another title by this author.
Connie A. (jazzysmom) -
Helpful Score: 1
Boy this was a great read! I very much enjoyed this novel. This isn't anything like any other that i have read. Very differnt. I hated to see it end. I fell in love with Edgar and some of his young and old friends. People are so cruel to children and those who may be differnet, this book really will make you cheer when Edgar learns how to stand up for himself, finds a family and feel carpet on his bare feet for the first time in his life. So many things that we all take for granted, Edgar had never experienced, or even knew existed. I was upset with his mother thru almost the whole book, but then started thinking--maybe she didn't know either. You won't waste your time with this one.
Helpful Score: 1
I fell head over heels in love with Edgar and his unbreakable spirit. A tragicomedy that was, for me, reminiscent of John Irving's style. I loved it!
Deb S. (CairnMom) reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll squirm. You'll cringe. This book has it all, and is one of the best I've read in a long, long time. I would have kept it, but it's too good NOT to share!
Catherine C. (c-squared) reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 181 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Warning: Most of the middle section, wherein Edgar is an inmate (no better word for it) at an Indian school, is downright painful to read. Despite that, this book was a delight. The character of Edgar was great -- definitely all the better for the retrospective p.o.v. -- with many hilarious moments. The plot was anything but predictable, peppered with Udall's many curve balls.
I picked this book up because I really enjoyed The Lonely Polygamist, and I wasn't disappointed.
I picked this book up because I really enjoyed The Lonely Polygamist, and I wasn't disappointed.
Karen P. reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 4 more book reviews
I loved this book, had a terrible time putting it down.
Kristi L. (mommybarbie) - , reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 26 more book reviews
I could not stand this book. Probably because there was so much wrong with this boy. I don't know if it was ever an "Oprah Book Club" book, but it certainly could have been. Sad, depressed life of a native American Indian.
Cathy A. (asante) reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 22 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book! What a surprise! Native American & morman culture. History and a great story!
Kimberly K. (bookpusher) reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 88 more book reviews
Edgar is a half Apache half orphaned yet perservering boy,as he narrates the event of his life you will laugh,cry and cheer him on.
Laura D. (pesky) reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 8 more book reviews
Really a dreamy, lovely story. I enjoyed it a lot.
Sharon S. (Shar) -
Loved this book!!!
I read this for book club and it was fantastic!
Christy K. (dragonflies) reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 66 more book reviews
My book club read this odd book and loved it.
Noelle K. reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 3 more book reviews
Loved this story -- very imaginative yet realistic, with a satisfying resolution.
Julie E. reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 213 more book reviews
I loved this book so much! He has such a great spirit about him.
R B. reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 203 more book reviews
Yuck. I couldn't even make it halfway through this book. It is not inspiring in the least and not even that well written. I've seen it compared to John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany. Maybe that's true because I hated that book too.
Cheryl N. reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 30 more book reviews
I thought this book wrapped up a little too "nicely" but the story was different and it was well-written.
A little strange trying to get used to the tenses (yes plural)that this book was written in but it was an intriging story line.
Missy B. (k9kutter64) reviewed The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint : A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries) on + 167 more book reviews
I gave up on this book after the first chapter.
Pam H. (PamelaH) -
Edgar lived the majority of his life in the wrong place at the wrong time. At the age of six, a mail truck ran over his head, he miraculously lived, and that was the start of bad luck that continued.
A sad story but the telling of it is such that you find yourself laughing. I couldn't help but fall in love with Edgar... even though he endures hellish things throughout his life, he continued to be a kind soul.
Mr. Udall hit this one out of the park.
A sad story but the telling of it is such that you find yourself laughing. I couldn't help but fall in love with Edgar... even though he endures hellish things throughout his life, he continued to be a kind soul.
Mr. Udall hit this one out of the park.
