Truck: A Love Story (P.S.) | 
 enlarge | Author: Michael Perry
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy New: $4.79
You Save: $9.16 (66%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 45765
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.9
ISBN: 0060571187
Dewey Decimal Number: 629.2232
EAN: 9780060571184
ASIN: 0060571187
Publication Date: August 1, 2007
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Product Description
The author of Population: 485 returns, delivering a truckload of humor, heart, and . . . gardening tips? Think Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, complete with stock cars, sexy vegetables, and a laugh track. "All I wanted to do was fix my old pickup truck," says Michael Perry. "That, and plant my garden. Then I met this woman. . . ." Truck: A Love Story recounts a year in which Perry struggles to grow his own food ("Seed catalogs are responsible for more unfulfilled fantasies than Enron and Penthouse combined"), live peaceably with his neighbors (one test-fires his black powder rifle in the alley; another's best Sunday shirt reads 100 PERCENT WHUP-ASS), and sort out his love life. But along the way, he sets his hair on fire, is attacked by wild turkeys, takes a date to the fire department chicken dinner, and proposes marriage to a woman in New Orleans. As with Population: 485, much of the spirit of Truck: A Love Story may be found in the characters Perry meets: a one-eyed land surveyor, a paraplegic biker who rigs a sidecar so that his quadriplegic pal can ride along, a bartender who refuses to sell light beer, an enchanting woman who never existed, and half the staff of National Public Radio. By turns hilarious and heartfelt, a tale that begins on a pile of sheep manure, detours to the Whitney Museum of American Art, and returns to the deer-hunting swamps of northern Wisconsin, Truck: A Love Story becomes a testament to the surprising and unintended consequences of love. 1006
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 the natural philosopher's handbook October 8, 2008
I could go on and on about this book, but let's let the man speak for himself. "The amateur study of philosophy," Perry writes, "is like taking a few laps with a NASCAR driver. You're not qualified to do it on your own, you have no business behind the wheel, but for a few laps or paragraphs, you're right in there with 'em, and when it's all over, you've learned something. Or," he adds, "as my local fire chief once said, you've simply exasperated the situation."
Perry hasn't exasperated his situation, in this book a year during which he rebuilds his 1952 International Harvester pickup, plants a garden, and falls in love, in between tangential forays into brother-in-lawhood, deer hunting, being a professional author, sexism, and all the other bits and pieces that make up a whole life in rural America. At times a little wordy (you wish his editor had leaned on him a little more toward the end) mostly it's just one of the best word pictures of life today, funny, sad, smart. It's not given to everyone to be perceptive and a good writer. Perry is, and it is a pleasure to be along for, literally, the ride of his life.
Some of my favorite Perryisms:
"The world of American culture and commerce functions like a combination of sponge and sandpaper, absorbing everything and smoothing it down so it slides easily into a designer shopping bag." (For years I've been railing against the Pepsi-ization of America. Comrade!)
[describing the village junkman's trailer] "Fully loaded, it has the appearance of a postapocalyptic Costco on wheels." (I expect Mel Gibson as Raggedyman to come walking down the street right behind.)
[A man who has spent way too much time worrying about his hair says this of his do when he graduated from nursing school] "...mousse spikes on top, a mullet in back, and a moustache up front. The bad hair trifecta." (Kinda sorta want to see a picture of that.)
"...a rictus of dither."
"...an epic snit."
I could spend all day thumbing through Truck: A Love Story (P.S.) and coming up with these nuggets, but there's one on practically every page so better you read the book yourself. You'll feel like you've made a friend when you're done. And you'll have laughed a lot, and maybe even learned something, too.
A sweet, kind tale with deeper meanings August 23, 2008
"Truck: a Love Story" is a sweet and simple tale, filled with rich observations of life in a small rural town, told by the sort of man you always hoped would marry your sister. Perry comes across as kind and unassuming. He is in love with his town, his truck, and his simple way of life. There is more than meets the eye, however, as Perry's writing and style are articulate and erudite without being anachronistic. Perry manages to walk the difficult balance between being an easy going man and a deep-thinking philosopher of life. When all things are considered, "Truck: A Love Story" is a profound exposition on a way of existence that we have perhaps lost touch with in some parts of America.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in remembering how to feel good about people, small towns, and life's simple pleasures all while having a few laughs at the same time.
Mike fixed his truck, and along the way his broken heart July 12, 2008
I read Michaels' book with great interest. I found his story paralelling mine on many aspects. I could relate to the smallish town, the old truck, the unusual call hours of the life within his profession. As he balanced that with his passion for writing, and upon the decision of fixing that old heap, a newly found light shone through.
It's a feel good, genuine book, about people, hope and second chances not only for the truck, but for Mike as well. Read it.
 Good for some I'm sure - but I hated it. June 17, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
I gave it two stars instead of one because I have to admit that I could not bring myself to finish this book - I stopped short of halfway. I can also see how some people would like this book, but I simply can't relate to the main character, and frankly if I met him in real life I think I would be annoyed by him.
Perhaps it's because it's about a complaining middle-aged single man, while I'm much younger and less single. While I generally appreciate self-deprecation, I found him wimpy. He's clueless under a hood, while I take pride in my mechanical prowess. He's agnostic and borderline offensive toward Christians, while I appreciate different faiths. He daydreams about traditional gender roles while apologizing profusely out of political correctness... wimp. His most likable feature: he's a former volunteer firefighter/EMT.
Don't get this book for a real gearhead or for someone who will not appreciate philosophical ramblings.
Perry proves he is a midwestern gem! May 19, 2008
I first read perry's Population 485 and fell in love with his quirky style and incredibly descriptive writing. He truly proves his caliber in Truck. A great read that I couldn't put down. I was fortunate to meet Mike at a book signing in Northfield, MN. He is so humble, and great to visit with. You truly meet the man in his writing.
An incredible read. Highly recommended.
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