Free Fall of Webster Cummings

by Tom Bodett

Book Overview

With four successful books, an award-winning radio program, and a stint as the Everyman spokesperson for Motel 6 under his belt, Tom Bodett now gives readers a literate and warmly humorous work,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786862092
• ISBN13: 9780786862092
• Release Date: April 1996
• Publisher: Hyperion Books
• Length: 366 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful!

I just finished reading this wonderful book and felt my heart warmed over. Tom Bodett's writing took me into his characters lives with such grace that they became like my own family. Funny,sweet and thought provoking. I am off to read more of Tom Bodett today!

It's a Delight

The audiotape version of the Free Fall of Webster Cummings is Tom Bodett at his best. His writing is superb. He makes me laugh, makes me think, causes a lump to swell in my throat. I can't think of a more pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

Hilarious, sweet, and thoughtful

This is the first of the 5-volume American Odessey series, which is an odd format. Really these 5 "volumes" are chapters of medium-length novel, and no "volume" is complete in itself. Since no "compilations" have been published to date, the "series" is grossly overpriced-imagine having to pay $5 per chapter for each chapter of Tom Sawyer, for example. The multiple plots do not fit together as well as they could and the ending is flawed-it just feels like Mr. Bodett ran out of steam and just chopped it off. However, with these caveats-this is one of my favorite works of fiction. Mr. Bodett's own narration in the recorded version is exceptional. I've heard it 5 or 6 times, and could easily listen to it once a month. It is almost like music. The stories themselves are rich and engrossing, and very close to home for most people. Indeed, that's probably the theme of the book, i.e., the meaning of "home."

Wonderful human stories!!

I have read all of Tom Bodett's books, and listened to several of them on tape as well. I feel that this book is his best. Further developing characters he had introduced in previous stories (although knowledge of the previous stories isn't required, it made this story more meaningful for me), Bodett weaves together humorous, touching, emotional, and very personal stories. The chapter where the couple traveling across the country sees the Rocky Mountains for the first time brought me right back to my first trip to the Rockies and the way the mountains overwhelmed me in their mass and presence. I went back and read that chapter three more times before going on!! A wonderful book for reminding us that every person around us has their stories.

delightful characters and wacky plot twists

Contains a mix of charming characters who confront unusual twists of fate. A very sweet and funny book. Reminded me of A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Enjoy.