What do you think?
Rate this book
5ive Speed
It isn't until Donald Roth meets his son's future in-laws that he realizes he is tired of a three-speed life. Time to move up.
When Donald was a kid in the late 60's on the South Side of Chicago, he had a Schwinn Sting Ray bike. Everyone did. But everyone else had a five-speed. Donald's was a three-speed. It was good enough, as was explained by his parents, just as their Ford Maverick wasn't the neighbor's Le Mans, but it was good enough. And that's the way Donald was taught to live his life. It was a three-speed life. It was good enough.
He marries Emily because she's good enough. Emily marries Donald because that's what she had planned, and she is not going to experience divorce as did her parents. Donald opens a law practice with his two best friends and roommates from college because it's good enough.
Then the Roths meet their son's future in-laws and everything changes.
Donald wonders if, in fact, he could get that five-speed.
In this hilarious and thought-provoking novel, the whole concept of morals and convention is turned inside out. Everything is perception. If you like Richard Russo, Tom Perotta, and Jonathan Franzen, you're going to love this book.
When Donald was a kid in the late 60's on the South Side of Chicago, he had a Schwinn Sting Ray bike. Everyone did. But everyone else had a five-speed. Donald's was a three-speed. It was good enough, as was explained by his parents, just as their Ford Maverick wasn't the neighbor's Le Mans, but it was good enough. And that's the way Donald was taught to live his life. It was a three-speed life. It was good enough.
He marries Emily because she's good enough. Emily marries Donald because that's what she had planned, and she is not going to experience divorce as did her parents. Donald opens a law practice with his two best friends and roommates from college because it's good enough.
Then the Roths meet their son's future in-laws and everything changes.
Donald wonders if, in fact, he could get that five-speed.
In this hilarious and thought-provoking novel, the whole concept of morals and convention is turned inside out. Everything is perception. If you like Richard Russo, Tom Perotta, and Jonathan Franzen, you're going to love this book.
- GenresHumorContemporary
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2011
About the author
Charley Warady
5 books28 followersStand-up comedian; author; writer; podcaster; blogger; picker; I'm a grinner; I'm a lover; and I'm a sinner...play my music in the sun......I sure don't want to hurt no one
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 23, 2017
Needs better editing
The story is different but sort of drags on parts.
The reason I have it 3 stars is because of the editorial errors. It's very distracting to have lines repeated, words misspelled, etc.
The story is different but sort of drags on parts.
The reason I have it 3 stars is because of the editorial errors. It's very distracting to have lines repeated, words misspelled, etc.
August 30, 2017
A messed up chick flick novel.
February 20, 2019
Loved it! A touch of the discomforts and hysterical reality that is called real life . Fun read!
May 5, 2012
The book had some good characters and the story was definitely one that is true to life. My problem was that the conclusion was not true to life. I don't want to spoil anything, but the ending felt like something in a sitcom where things are tied up tidy because the episode is over.
-Donald never got a 5-speed bike and always had to settle for a 3-speed. It symbolized Donald's life of seeming to settle for everything in life. It's a fine analogy and probably resonates for lots of people: I never get to do what will make me happiest or serve me best.
The trouble is that sometimes we forget that a 5-speed will still disappoint us like a 3-speed does. Whether it's a bike, a job or love, at some point it will disappoint us. It gets old, breaks down or actually isn't what we hoped it would be.
-Donald never got a 5-speed bike and always had to settle for a 3-speed. It symbolized Donald's life of seeming to settle for everything in life. It's a fine analogy and probably resonates for lots of people: I never get to do what will make me happiest or serve me best.
The trouble is that sometimes we forget that a 5-speed will still disappoint us like a 3-speed does. Whether it's a bike, a job or love, at some point it will disappoint us. It gets old, breaks down or actually isn't what we hoped it would be.
November 29, 2012
I am not a romance fan, but I found this very enjoyable. Its a romantic comedy, with an emphasis on comedy. The story moves along at a good pace and the dialog is both witty and funny. As the plot is unveiled, you may find yourself rolling your eyes (I did). But the writing is so tight and entertaining, you can forgive a far fetched premise.
This is a great book when you want to read something that's simply enjoyable.
This is a great book when you want to read something that's simply enjoyable.
June 23, 2012
5IVE SPEED is the kind of literary novel that gives literary novels a good name. The characters are weird in the way real people are weird, sad and funny and frightening and irritating and precious in the ways real people are.
There's really nothing to say except: If you love people and want to cheer for them as they struggle to cope with the nicks and dings Life deals out to us all, PLEASE do yourself a favor and read this book.
There's really nothing to say except: If you love people and want to cheer for them as they struggle to cope with the nicks and dings Life deals out to us all, PLEASE do yourself a favor and read this book.
April 21, 2011
Although I usually read mysteries, this one drew my attention. A lot of modern authors that I've run into use a lot of crude and cheap tricks to make their stories interesting, but this author knows how to present a simple story that people can really relate to. It's always interesting to see what people have to say about ordinary life, even in fictional format.
August 31, 2020
Excellent Story
I normally don't enjoy books involving infidelity but the characters were so well written and funny that I loved every word. The twists and turns were exciting and believable. The characters were real and complete. I especially liked the notations by the psychiatrist. The lines in this book made me laugh out loud.
I normally don't enjoy books involving infidelity but the characters were so well written and funny that I loved every word. The twists and turns were exciting and believable. The characters were real and complete. I especially liked the notations by the psychiatrist. The lines in this book made me laugh out loud.
September 8, 2011
This book is a very neurotic look at couples who are happily unhappily married and find something better. My husband asked me to discribe this as a movie and I think it would be directed and starring Woody Allen. Very funny and very enjoyable.
August 17, 2014
Can it possible to say something is comedy, sophisticated, and snarky? I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Should this be a warning to the parents of the bride and groom meeting? Whispers of an O Henry story are evident here. Fun read.
August 20, 2012
Entertaining for a free book.
May 5, 2011
Smart. Witty. Entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews