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Bartholomew
My name is Rick Harper, and the cake is for me. Everyone is here because it’s a big deal, because it’s not every day you get to celebrate your sixty-fifth birthday. Sixty-five is the magic number – I can start collecting Social Security, and I get to go on Medicare. I quit my job at Wiley & Associates. My golden years are on the horizon, and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. There’s plenty of sunshine, and lots of vitamin D. I smile. At my age, I’ll take all the free vitamins I can get.
- GenresFiction
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2022
7 people want to read
About the author
Mark Lages
21 books311 followersQuickly...I was born and raised in California, but now live in South Carolina with my wife and our animals. I am neither a liberal nor a conservative. In fact, I despise politics. I think of myself as an artist, and not as a journalist. I've been influenced by Milton Friedman, Frank Lloyd Wright, Hunter S Thompson, Douglas Adams, Salvador Dali, MC Escher, JS Bach, Keith Jarrett, Vincent Price, Tom Waits, and many others. I like to smoke cigars and drink lots of coffee. And I do love to write. Lock me in a room with a box of cigars, a coffee maker, and a computer, and I will do just fine. Click here to leap to my website for more info about me and my books.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 25, 2022
This story is written like a memoir and opens with the main character, Rick Harper, celebrating his 65th birthday. He reflects on his earlier life, remembering his invisible friend as a child, and how that friend visited him again in adulthood.
Rick comes across very nonchalant. He tells us all the mistakes he’s made through his life. He doesn’t really give reasons or excuses as to why he did the things he did. He does, however, show us that he doesn’t understand how he ended up in his life with all the mistakes he’s made. He shows us that he doesn’t understand what happiness is because his life had been both good and bad but not too extreme in either direction. He seems to just exist and thus his confusion with what happiness means.
Bartholomew is Rick’s invisible friend, and he (Bartholomew) is sort of a guiding energy for Rick. He makes Rick think about his purpose and his definition of happiness. Along the way, Rick begins to understand what it really means to live.
I got so much out of this story. My favorite scene was when Rick cheated a co-worker out of a job, and then a few years later, he helped a co-worker earn a spot in the company even when he was on a tight deadline of his own. I totally understood that. It wasn’t because he liked one co-worker over another, but because it was timing. The first situation, he was a young person just out of college and needed to do what he needed to do to gain status. Later, when he was experienced and had gone through a lot in his career and in his personal life, he then sacrificed his time to help another. This speaks so much about humanity. No one is perfect, yet we tend to judge others as though they have to be perfect, forgetting to look at ourselves and see that we too have faults.
This was a wonderful read. I think everyone can learn something from this book, but even if that’s not something you care for, you’d still enjoy the humor.
Who should read this book: I’d totally recommend it to everyone.
Rick comes across very nonchalant. He tells us all the mistakes he’s made through his life. He doesn’t really give reasons or excuses as to why he did the things he did. He does, however, show us that he doesn’t understand how he ended up in his life with all the mistakes he’s made. He shows us that he doesn’t understand what happiness is because his life had been both good and bad but not too extreme in either direction. He seems to just exist and thus his confusion with what happiness means.
Bartholomew is Rick’s invisible friend, and he (Bartholomew) is sort of a guiding energy for Rick. He makes Rick think about his purpose and his definition of happiness. Along the way, Rick begins to understand what it really means to live.
I got so much out of this story. My favorite scene was when Rick cheated a co-worker out of a job, and then a few years later, he helped a co-worker earn a spot in the company even when he was on a tight deadline of his own. I totally understood that. It wasn’t because he liked one co-worker over another, but because it was timing. The first situation, he was a young person just out of college and needed to do what he needed to do to gain status. Later, when he was experienced and had gone through a lot in his career and in his personal life, he then sacrificed his time to help another. This speaks so much about humanity. No one is perfect, yet we tend to judge others as though they have to be perfect, forgetting to look at ourselves and see that we too have faults.
This was a wonderful read. I think everyone can learn something from this book, but even if that’s not something you care for, you’d still enjoy the humor.
Who should read this book: I’d totally recommend it to everyone.
March 31, 2022
Gawd, I loved this book. It took me on a journey that I needed to go on. As usual, Lages hits the nail on the head! It is like having a hundred pounds lifted from your shoulders. If you haven't read a book by Lages, pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.
April 7, 2022
Wow!! This was such a wonderful read. As other reviewers have said this was a book I did not know I needed to read. Lages is quite the philosopher, therapist, mentor, and teller of great stories. I have yet to be disappointed in his books. Each book is such a tale but this one was just so mind opening and enlightening. Everything I pretty much knew but just needed a reminder. Life is what you make of it and we all need to listen to our own Bartholomew. I can not recommend this book enough.
April 23, 2022
5 well earned stars!
Another brilliantly written book about life and the decisions and choices one makes that effect the outcome of that life.
Rick, as a child, had an imaginary friend named Bartholomew. They played together and talked about kid things. Bartholomew always gave advice, in a manner Rick could comprehend and follow, if he chose to do so.
Rick's father was strict. His favorite form of punishment was using his belt on the backsides of his two sons, Ralph, the oldest, and Rick. Bartholomew advised Rick on several matters that spared him those beatings; good, sound kid advice that was fairly near to lying.
Bartholomew left Rick's life when he was seven years of age. Unguided, Rick lived his life as best he could, making the usual mistakes, blunders and choices we all seem to make. But when he was 64 years old, Bartholomew suddenly reappears in his life, like a sock that's been missing forever only to reappear unbidden.
Over the course of the next year and until the day of Rick's retirement party, Bartholomew requires Rick to tell him 10 stories about his life. No content requirements, no boundaries, just truthful stories of the occurrences that had an affect on the way he chose to live his life as he did.
The first 3 stories told are exposed by Bartholomew for what they are: Rick's determination, however misguided, to live a perfect life and be the perfect husband, architect and father he could be. Preceding Bartholomew's return, Rick has taken to writing poetry. But poetry he shares with no one. Some refer to his wife, others to his sons and still others about his job, which he realizes he has had no passion for in the past few decades.
Over the passing months, through Rick's son's failures, drug addictions and suicide attempts, among other bad choices, and his revelations regarding his parents lives and his dissatisfaction with his work life, Bartholomew begins to show Rick the truth behind not only his stories, but his "distorted thinking," as the spectre refers to it. I use that specific term to describe Bartholomew became he is not visible and hearable to anyone but Rick.
As time rushes towards Rick's retirement, he slowly begins to comprehend the path Bartholomew is leading him on with his advice, depreciating remarks and pithy insights. Suddenly, light being hit by lightning, Rick understands why his dissatisfaction with most of his life has come about. This sudden dawning of realization sets Rick off on an amazing journey of self-realignmnent regarding his thinking, his outlook and his views about not only his life, but the lives of all those he loves. This major realization was one his father, his father's father and so on back through family history has never comprehended and simply passed on to the next generation, dooming them to the same "distorted thinking" effecting Rick.
As to what finally reworked Rick's brain and his remaining life, what wisdom did Bartholomew impart that provoked this radically new perspective in Rick's life? What so profoundly changed his manner of thinking? Well, to tell you would be a massive injustice to not only you, a hopefully future reader, but the brilliant author who thought of it. I think it is utterly remarkable, and yet so simplistic in its content. And even further simplistic in its implementation. For anyone.
Mark Lages is my "go to" writer for material on life, religious matters and generally entertaining books. He manages to take the ordinary and alter it into something extraordinary with ease, humor and logic. What Stephen King is to horror, Mr. Lages is to life lessons and the human condition(s).
Brilliant editing, stunning prose, vivid characters and smooth, enjoyable plotlines abound in this novel. There is some back and forth in time, but it is necessary for the timeline to possess coherence.
Yes, I do highly recommend this book, whether you're a fan of the author or not. If you read this particular book, you just may become one!
Another brilliantly written book about life and the decisions and choices one makes that effect the outcome of that life.
Rick, as a child, had an imaginary friend named Bartholomew. They played together and talked about kid things. Bartholomew always gave advice, in a manner Rick could comprehend and follow, if he chose to do so.
Rick's father was strict. His favorite form of punishment was using his belt on the backsides of his two sons, Ralph, the oldest, and Rick. Bartholomew advised Rick on several matters that spared him those beatings; good, sound kid advice that was fairly near to lying.
Bartholomew left Rick's life when he was seven years of age. Unguided, Rick lived his life as best he could, making the usual mistakes, blunders and choices we all seem to make. But when he was 64 years old, Bartholomew suddenly reappears in his life, like a sock that's been missing forever only to reappear unbidden.
Over the course of the next year and until the day of Rick's retirement party, Bartholomew requires Rick to tell him 10 stories about his life. No content requirements, no boundaries, just truthful stories of the occurrences that had an affect on the way he chose to live his life as he did.
The first 3 stories told are exposed by Bartholomew for what they are: Rick's determination, however misguided, to live a perfect life and be the perfect husband, architect and father he could be. Preceding Bartholomew's return, Rick has taken to writing poetry. But poetry he shares with no one. Some refer to his wife, others to his sons and still others about his job, which he realizes he has had no passion for in the past few decades.
Over the passing months, through Rick's son's failures, drug addictions and suicide attempts, among other bad choices, and his revelations regarding his parents lives and his dissatisfaction with his work life, Bartholomew begins to show Rick the truth behind not only his stories, but his "distorted thinking," as the spectre refers to it. I use that specific term to describe Bartholomew became he is not visible and hearable to anyone but Rick.
As time rushes towards Rick's retirement, he slowly begins to comprehend the path Bartholomew is leading him on with his advice, depreciating remarks and pithy insights. Suddenly, light being hit by lightning, Rick understands why his dissatisfaction with most of his life has come about. This sudden dawning of realization sets Rick off on an amazing journey of self-realignmnent regarding his thinking, his outlook and his views about not only his life, but the lives of all those he loves. This major realization was one his father, his father's father and so on back through family history has never comprehended and simply passed on to the next generation, dooming them to the same "distorted thinking" effecting Rick.
As to what finally reworked Rick's brain and his remaining life, what wisdom did Bartholomew impart that provoked this radically new perspective in Rick's life? What so profoundly changed his manner of thinking? Well, to tell you would be a massive injustice to not only you, a hopefully future reader, but the brilliant author who thought of it. I think it is utterly remarkable, and yet so simplistic in its content. And even further simplistic in its implementation. For anyone.
Mark Lages is my "go to" writer for material on life, religious matters and generally entertaining books. He manages to take the ordinary and alter it into something extraordinary with ease, humor and logic. What Stephen King is to horror, Mr. Lages is to life lessons and the human condition(s).
Brilliant editing, stunning prose, vivid characters and smooth, enjoyable plotlines abound in this novel. There is some back and forth in time, but it is necessary for the timeline to possess coherence.
Yes, I do highly recommend this book, whether you're a fan of the author or not. If you read this particular book, you just may become one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2022
Today is Sunday and I just finished Bartholomew, which came off the presses just this past Monday. Always anxious to dig into the latest from Mark Lages.
Bartholomew is the imaginary friend of Rick Harper, an architect, a husband, a father of two boys, a man facing retirement as he approaches age 65. Bartholomew asks Rick, over a period of several weeks, to tell ten stories from his life. As it happens, most of Rick’s stories are about things that have gone wrong. Where he fell short at work, as a father, as a husband.
This is the author at his best - the master storyteller. And there is a definite point to all of these stories. And that is to not be obsessed with perfection.
This is one of the most uplifting Mark Lages books I’ve read, and I’ve read almost all of them. Not that these stories didn’t involve problems and difficulties, because they do. But this is life. As I often say: “Out of adversity comes opportunity.”
Bartholomew is the imaginary friend of Rick Harper, an architect, a husband, a father of two boys, a man facing retirement as he approaches age 65. Bartholomew asks Rick, over a period of several weeks, to tell ten stories from his life. As it happens, most of Rick’s stories are about things that have gone wrong. Where he fell short at work, as a father, as a husband.
This is the author at his best - the master storyteller. And there is a definite point to all of these stories. And that is to not be obsessed with perfection.
This is one of the most uplifting Mark Lages books I’ve read, and I’ve read almost all of them. Not that these stories didn’t involve problems and difficulties, because they do. But this is life. As I often say: “Out of adversity comes opportunity.”
April 26, 2022
This is a self-reflection sort of book from the perspective of a man named Rick who is nearing his 65th birthday, at which time he plans to retire from his job as an architect for a large firm. As his retirement date nears, he thinks back and recalls events during his life. As a book written by an independent author and the theme of introspection, I had expected to love this book, but there were just too many things that bothered me. First, the author made Rick kind of a jerk. Which made it hard for me to embrace his self reflection. While in general I like the dislikable characters, this one not that kind of ‘likeable’ dislikable people. In the story (present activity, not recollections of past errors) calls a 20-something year old woman a “little thing,” refers to workers in a health care center as “South of the Border” people, tells blonde jokes, goes irate with an air b&b owner for junk in the yard of a different house in the neighborhood (not the one he is renting), and I could go on. I mean, Rick was an entitled snot and too young to be even remotely forgiven for his belittling of women and others. Worse even, none of this is even noted as being odd, its just accepted. Everyone laughs along with the joke. Except the reader. I probably could have gotten over that and still enjoyed the book to some degree, as some of the reflections presented are done extremely well. The poem Rick writes to his son is very touching. The recollection and regret he has about an affair he had with a coworker is very honest. There is some very good content in this book. But it’s the case of less might be more. The tools used to reflect are multifaceted: self reflection, poetry, and then the invisible friend Bartholomew. Now, honestly this book would have been much better without Bartholomew. The ‘friend’ was very two dimensional, never had any real meaning to Rick, and just kind of randomly appeared and was a bit bossy and believed (at least by Rick) to be omniscient, yet he gives some terrible advice that Rick blindly listens to without any critical thought. I think Rick was doing better in his self-reflection without yet this third mechanism of the invisible friend to communicate his feelings. While there is definitely good content in parts of this book, to me there were just too many pieces that left me agitated (Bartholomew and Rick primarily), that took away from my enjoyment of the content. 2.5 stars rounded up for that good content.
May 4, 2022
I have been a fan of Mark Lages for many years and Bartholomew does not disappoint. Bartholomew is the imaginary friend of almost 65-year old Rick Harper. His friend during childhood, Bartholomew suddenly reappears as Rick's birthday approaches. Promising to relate 10 important stories from his life, Rick begins a journey of self-reflection that forces him to take a hard look at his life and his core beliefs. This is a journey on which Lages also takes the reader. Trying to pinpoint why I love Lages's books so much caused me to ascertain that while I deplore self-help books and usually avoid them like the plague, I decided that Lages writes self-help books for me because they always make me look at life realistically and on a practical level. While he is not always deeply profound (though he often is), Lages is always simply profound. By that, I mean that he does not delve into human emotions and the things we feel and the things we do on a deeply philosophical level, but instead simply forces us to look at life in a practical and uncomplicated manner. and in the process to evaluate our thoughts and our motives. A Mark Lages book always makes me laugh, reflect, question, and think and I always look forward to the next one. Join me in following the works of this exceptional author.
June 1, 2022
I am not sure what to say about this book, as usual Mark Lages nails it! There is always something you can learn or reflect on in his books and this book is no different. If you could talk to your imaginary friend at the age of 65, what might they say to you? Bartholomew , is Rick Harpers, imaginary friend from childhood; he takes Rick on a journey of life/family/work, allowing Rick to discuss life changes and actions. All I could do was think about what my imaginary friend, Mrs. Magillacutty, would say to me and how I would answer.
If you haven't read books by Mark Lages, I recommend all his books!
If you haven't read books by Mark Lages, I recommend all his books!
September 13, 2022
I laughed at Rick Harper's imaginary friend, Bartholomew as Rick just turned sixty-five, and everyone is there to celebrate, but Rick shocks them all when asked what he would do with his time, Bartholomew is like Rick's conscience and he pops up unexpectedly and tried to help him, but Rick is so busy to congratulating himself that he does not see the big picture and now understands that he was a failure in life as we all are. The author pokes fun at Rick and his pompous ways until he sees the truth even though he argues with him conscience that he was a good son, and now this book made him THINK ABOUT MY LIFE CHOICES!
April 9, 2022
"Bartholomew" by Mark Lages.
Rick Harper is nearly 65 years old and about to retire from his career as an architect. He looks at his life and what has transpired, both good and not-so-good, on the eve of a new chapter. Going forward, what does he want to do with the rest of his life?
Examining all his milestones with the help of his imaginary friend, Bartholomew, Rick comes to some major discoveries.
I loved this book. It is full of interesting stories and wisdom.
I received this book as a gift from the author.
Rick Harper is nearly 65 years old and about to retire from his career as an architect. He looks at his life and what has transpired, both good and not-so-good, on the eve of a new chapter. Going forward, what does he want to do with the rest of his life?
Examining all his milestones with the help of his imaginary friend, Bartholomew, Rick comes to some major discoveries.
I loved this book. It is full of interesting stories and wisdom.
I received this book as a gift from the author.
April 14, 2022
Another fun story from Mark Lages.
Got this book for an honest review.
Rick Harper’s childhood imaginary friend Bartholomew reappears in his life and takes Rick down a journey as he explores his life. His failures, his successes, his fears and his dreams.
Rick discovers what’s important to him, what he’s been missing.
Mark Lages has a way to make you go through the same journey as his main character. Makes you think right along with his characters.
If you enjoyed other Mark Lages books, you will enjoy this one too.
Got this book for an honest review.
Rick Harper’s childhood imaginary friend Bartholomew reappears in his life and takes Rick down a journey as he explores his life. His failures, his successes, his fears and his dreams.
Rick discovers what’s important to him, what he’s been missing.
Mark Lages has a way to make you go through the same journey as his main character. Makes you think right along with his characters.
If you enjoyed other Mark Lages books, you will enjoy this one too.
June 15, 2022
Another thought provoking book from Mark. I love how this make you reflect on your past, present and what do you really want for your future. How you think you have lived your life the way you wanted to and yet things go haywire, how do you deal with it? Would you redo any of your life experiences? Bartholomew waits to pop back up from Rick's childhood when he turns 65. What memories come out and how they are processed when you bring them up again. If you haven't read any of Mark's books start now, he never disappoints!
March 28, 2022
Rick Harper had an imaginary friend named Bartholomew when he was a small child who disappeared from Rick's life as he grew older. But then? Rick is suddenly a sixty-four year old man, and his friend reappears! Bartholomew is full of advice and wisdom. Who wouldn't want their own Bartholomew? I loved this book, and I got a lot out of it. I feel much better about myself, all thanks to Bartholomew. This book is entertaining and enlightening!
April 5, 2022
As with all the books by Mark Lages that I have read, this one has a "moral of the story". It is a bit more complex than the last one, but certainly can be used as a blueprint for rethinking your life.
For all the over-thinkers of the world, this should be a "must read".
For the rest of us, it is a wonderful roadmap to understanding our lives to date.
Thank you Mark, for allowing me to read and enjoy this book.
For all the over-thinkers of the world, this should be a "must read".
For the rest of us, it is a wonderful roadmap to understanding our lives to date.
Thank you Mark, for allowing me to read and enjoy this book.
March 27, 2022
Bartholomew- Rick Harper's invisible friend? His subconscious? His truth-teller? Bartholomew- he means no harm, but of Rick's own volition, he speaks to/for him: lessons to be learned, needed healing, coming to terms. Bartholomew is a story of self-revelation- an act of courage to come to one's own reflection and see it in true honestly.
April 19, 2022
A man on the verge of retirement becomes reacquainted with his imaginary friend from childhood. The man has decided he is a poet and the book is filled with his poems as well as life situations. I have read several books by Mark Lages and enjoyed them, but this book was not up to his usual writing in my opinion.
The author sent me the book in exchange for my honest review.
The author sent me the book in exchange for my honest review.
April 20, 2022
Guilt, pride, missed opportunities, little 'white' lies, growing up, family crises, addiction,
wisdom - this story has all that and more. Most importantly, it has: redemption. Great
insights into human nature. I really liked this book and it had a good reading pace to it.
Many of us need a "Bartholomew" in our lives. Mark has done a very good job with this
book. I think you'll enjoy it, too.
wisdom - this story has all that and more. Most importantly, it has: redemption. Great
insights into human nature. I really liked this book and it had a good reading pace to it.
Many of us need a "Bartholomew" in our lives. Mark has done a very good job with this
book. I think you'll enjoy it, too.
December 12, 2022
I tried to like this tale filled with life lessons, as provided primarily by an imaginary friend. The lessons presented are valid and interesting. But the story just isn’t, the characters are boring. I see great reviews and wonder if there’s an alternative version. The only reason I would return to this book is my profound dislike of not finishing a book!
March 29, 2022
Every once and a while you read a book that really strikes a chord with you. This was such a book for me. I really enjoyed this book, and Lages put his thumb right on my life. I would imagine that many others will feel the same way. Five stars for sure!
April 6, 2022
Bartholomew is a well written story that will provide readers an enjoyable journey provided by Mark’s unique storytelling style. The tale presents many relatable character actions and responses that will provide readers a full a very satisfying reading experience.
5 star recommended book.
5 star recommended book.
April 12, 2022
Interesting construct of having a childhood imaginary friend reappear at a man's retirement age. Enjoyed this read a lot even when I didn't particularly like the characters. Recommend this if you want an interesting way of looking at a life.
April 25, 2022
Wow! This book was totally amazing and enlightening! We all need our own Bartholomew to make us question how we live, how we think, how we feel....about ourselves and others. Lages is definitely an author who brings you in to the story and has you traveling right along with the main character, questioning your actions, questioning your feelings and showing you a new perspective. Nothing and no one is perfect. We have good days and we have bad days, but when life gives you lemons...make lemonade. Don't seek perfection...
A big Thank You to Mark Lages for allowing me to read this book, listen to Bartholomew and understand my life just a little bit better!
A big Thank You to Mark Lages for allowing me to read this book, listen to Bartholomew and understand my life just a little bit better!
May 29, 2022
I love this author! Always original and always an adventure. We all want/need Bartholomew and it is my hope that Lages has one in true life. This is a book you will want to have a copy to keep and a copy to share. Truly worth a second or third read after, you, yourself, grow and change.
June 3, 2022
He did it again! Lages has become one of my favorite authors! Bartholomew is a novel about coming of age - in Rick's '60s. I love how he writes in the first person. His writing is relateable so for me. It almost seems like he can read my mind. Thank you, Mr. Lages.
March 30, 2022
Another great book written by one of my favorite authors. We should all have our own Bartholomew to set us straight when we stray. Definitely the best book I've read so far this year!
May 4, 2022
In true Mark Lages style this book takes a bunch of random thoughts and weaves a pretty good story out of them.
July 28, 2022
Love your books Mark. They really get me thinking. I'm going to be 65 this year, and I know looking back on your life is something to think about. It's a great book you have to read it.
January 29, 2023
Once again Mark Lages has wrote a fantastic book! He takes you on a journey that reader can relate to and enjoy! Very good!
June 5, 2022
As usual, Mark has written another novel I highly recommend. In a world so torn by pain, it's refreshing to read something positive and enlightening. As someone who often finds herself talking things through out loud, I wonder if I also have an imaginary friend who is just waiting to be discovered.
I've loved every book I've read by this author so far, who has generously sent copies of several of his more recent books to read and review. Every one has been a positive read. I highly recommend picking up this or any of his books. You won't be disappointed.
I've loved every book I've read by this author so far, who has generously sent copies of several of his more recent books to read and review. Every one has been a positive read. I highly recommend picking up this or any of his books. You won't be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews