Days of the Endless Corvette: A Novel

by Man Martin

A charming and fiercely intelligent story of true love, the mystery of life, and car repair in 1970s Georgia.

Genres: Fiction, Book Club

323 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2007

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most enjoyable reads in a long time. I usually tend toward the dark side of fiction, but I read a review of this, ordered it for my library and was lucky enough to be the first person to check it out. Since then I have been recommending it to everyone. (Due to my passion, one of the book discussion groups will be doing it sometime this year. See, when I like a book I spread the word like a crazy religious convert. . .) I don't remember the last time I laughed out loud so hard reading a book (No, I do, it was when I read Cold Comfort Farm.) A truly good main character, a cast of a dozen peculiar people, a love triangle without venom, a town librarian who once saw a brontosaurus over the Piggly Wiggly. . . what's not to like about this charming, hilarious, and wonderful first novel? I hope Mann Martin has another novel or two or three in him. And I hope more people find out about Days of the Endless Corvette because I haven't seen much hype over it and it definitely deserves some.

[Angie Kniery · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is our One Community-One Book selection.

[Jamie Iredell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man Martin is among my gods, right up there with Hermes and Poseidon.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

(For the book group)
We're in the fictitious Deepstep, Georgia, following the life of Earl Mulvaney as he drops out of high school and becomes an extraordinary mechanic. His father, Roy, leaves him and his mother behind to pursue beating the gambling odds.
His mother, Ruby, is not well, has an artificial hand, a broken hip, and is unable to work beyond stuffing envelopes at home. "Her parts ain't good in general. It's like they made her on a Monday."He must go to work to support them and finds a job at the local used car lot.
Jimmy Wiggins had the '53 corvette in pieces. Earl got it running. "It's like red velvet cake. Creamy white exterior but inside upholstery is luscious red."
Jimmy's favorite line, "Maybe you two ain't that far apart."
Earl volunteers with the local fire department during his off time. He carries a torch for a beauty Ellen, who dates and eventually marries football star Troy and have a daughter, Jennifer.
Troy and Earl become loyal friends.

Earl and Ellen pass notes back and forth over the years inside books they check out from the library.

Schrodinger's Cat is discussed, and Troy determines that the cat knows if it's alive or dead.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, solid 3.5. It was fun to read…but.. it just wasn’t quite what I expected. The combination between a love story, 70s folklore (?), and comedy was charming and fun. Unfortunately, the ending was surprisingly sad. That being said, sometimes that’s how life is and I can’t deduct too many points just for that. So I’d like to rate it higher, it just isn’t a 4 star book. Add half stars, Goodreads!!

[Heather Phelps · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was actually written by a local writer, but if you can get your hands on it you should! I love the entire story line and find it captivating as our heroic main character fights so hard to win the love of his life, and loses due to circumstances beyond his control. This truly shows that for some people their true love just never fades away. The end left me wanting to know more as I am sure it will for you too!

[Gabrielle Moore · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate rating a book so low, but I honestly couldn’t make it past 50 pages. I dislike this writing style, and the characters were not easy to like. The girls POV was only shared like one time in the first 50 pages and I found so much of the boys POV so uninteresting. I just couldn’t finish it when I have so many other better reads on my TBR.

[Cindie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good and deliciously Southern...

[CJParker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange and wonderful book. Easy read, but quirky.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was not a perfect story or a perfect ending but it kept me interested and I liked the characters.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It never takes me nearly two months to finish a book. There was so much humor in this, and tenderness. So please read it, and may it not take you as long as it did me.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. The story is set in a small southern town and follows eighteen year old Earl Mulvaney as he learns to deal with the complexities of young love, friendship, and family hardship. The story is told from the perspective of a narrator that takes the reader into the life of various simple yet profoundly human characters. The human connections created by the author feel very real, and it is very easy to find yourself caring for the characters as you would a dear friend.

[Kerry Waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure what made me pick this one up at the library, but it's quirky and small town and I typically like those things, so I took a shot. Glad I did. Martin does a nice job of introducing the ridiculous into his characters in just the right doses to make the reader love them. There's a little bit of philosophy pooping up in there, but it's simple and small town like the characters debating it, which is probably just the right level of philosophy for me. An enjoyable read. I'll probably look at something else by this author.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characterization of a small southern town in the 70's was totally on target. Having lived in the south it was like going back 40 years. My bil was a small town mechanic and I could picture him right there in the shop with Earl & he always had parts left over!! This is my first book by this author but I will definitely be reading all of his books.

[C-Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky story, not a lot of plot but really memorable and well written characters. Very funny and touching. Turns some stereotypical characters- used car salesman and high school jock- normally portrayed as jerks- into loyal and thoughtful friends.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

More thought-provoking and engrossing than I expected it to be.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an early draft of this book. It's wonderful. It really is.

[Janet]

Enjoyed it - you gotta like Earl - but it's rather twee.

[Lynn Futch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like reading someone's diary. Good desciptive passages- loved the one of baby, beans, and ceiling fan! He recently visited our college and gave a very good talk on writing.

[Bob Babcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and enjoyable read. Great stories from life in the south in the 70's. Well written.

[Elaine Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and all the quirky characters in it. I look forward to reading Man Martin's next novel and thank the Goodreads program for sending it to me.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd but moving.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

much better than I expected...quirky & recommended!

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the funny writing style of this author but there were also some terrible typos in the book that were distracting. The story was odd but charming.

[Karen]

Recommended by Chris Arvesen...to read....