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All the Western Stars
Jake and Lucas escape from the nursing home where they both feel imprisoned and set out to recapture the thrills and vitality they experienced as young men through adventure, danger, and love
- GenresFiction
Hardcover
First published May 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 31, 2019
If this book ever gets made into a movie, I'll gladly pay the ridiculous ticket price to see it. Two old men are shunted off to a third-rate nursing home by younger relatives who no longer want to deal with them. They start out disliking each other, partly because they're polar opposites.
Lucas Craft is a former best-selling author, a genius, who can't understand why everyone else is so stupid, yet who simultaneously wants people to take care of him.
The other main character, Jake Baker, was born in a small Mississippi town. He's spent his life drifting from job to job across much of the eastern half of the U.S. His greatest accomplishment, according to him, was building a house in Georgia for himself and his wife. She's long since gone off with another man, and of course, his move to the nursing home means the loss of that beloved house.
Even so, the two men decide to break out of their nursing home and head west to become cowboys. The ensuing adventures and friendship make for some of the best reading I've done all summer.
The Library of Congress recording of this book was read by Bob Askey, and there couldn't have been a better choice of narrator. His voice is rich, deep, and has just the right hint of twang. I can't count the number of times I laughed--and then couldn't stop laughing--as he brought scenes, characters, and characters' thoughts to life. Most of the best lines go to Baker, who has a common-sense, no-nonsense, earthy way of commenting on humanity and the world that is a delight.
Lucas Craft is a former best-selling author, a genius, who can't understand why everyone else is so stupid, yet who simultaneously wants people to take care of him.
The other main character, Jake Baker, was born in a small Mississippi town. He's spent his life drifting from job to job across much of the eastern half of the U.S. His greatest accomplishment, according to him, was building a house in Georgia for himself and his wife. She's long since gone off with another man, and of course, his move to the nursing home means the loss of that beloved house.
Even so, the two men decide to break out of their nursing home and head west to become cowboys. The ensuing adventures and friendship make for some of the best reading I've done all summer.
The Library of Congress recording of this book was read by Bob Askey, and there couldn't have been a better choice of narrator. His voice is rich, deep, and has just the right hint of twang. I can't count the number of times I laughed--and then couldn't stop laughing--as he brought scenes, characters, and characters' thoughts to life. Most of the best lines go to Baker, who has a common-sense, no-nonsense, earthy way of commenting on humanity and the world that is a delight.
September 28, 2022
This is such an endearing story and so enjoyable. Williams is my new favorite author. I love his humor and prose. Look forward to reading more of his novels.
February 8, 2025
oflights
March 5, 2016
Two elderly men run away from a nursing home -- if you can read this without laughing out loud, you have NO sense of humor.
July 29, 2011
Sweet story! Can't go wrong with this book.
July 19, 2012
What a great story!
February 1, 2017
Reading through the "Philip Lee Williams" cannon while I am reading his latest - his memoir "It Is Written"
November 23, 2017
Enjoyed this book from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews