The Memory Of Running

A debut novel that comes out of left field; intelligent, original and wonderfully offbeat. This book was the subject of a massive auction in the US, and film rights have now been sold for over 1 million dollars.

Smithson Ide's life so far has led him nowhere. He's 43 years old, weighs 279 pounds, and keeps himself numb with food and alcohol. His only emotional ties are to his parents and to the memory of his older sister, Bethany, who has been missing for 20 years. Then his parents die in a car crash and he learns of Bethany's death in LA County. Suddenly there isn't enough beer in the world to keep Smithy from his feelings.

Drunk and bereft, he takes his old Raleigh bicycle and starts cycling. Once he starts, he can't stop and then he's riding across America to recover his sister. Along the way he meets all sorts of people who help or hinder him. He hears the confession of a priest, he rescues a boy from a snow storm, he has a gun pointed in his face, he's hit by a truck and helps a man dying of AIDS. Smithy's ride is an extraordinary quest, to rediscover the past and memories of Bethany, but it's also his journey back to life.

“'Vastly enjoyable, the story of this epic road trip is leavenedby a strong vein of black humour' DAILY MAIL 'It is simply agood story well written' TIMES 'Endearing but thankfullynever folksy story of small-town America' GUARDIAN 'Pitch-perfectevocation of place' TLS 'Charming' Mirror 'A must-read book'Grazia 'Riders who hop onto the back of Smithy Ide's bike and rideAmerica with him will cherish the journey. I loved this sad, funny,life-affirming novel' Wally Lamb”

An emotional and heartwarming read - Sunday Express

An enjoyable, undemanding read . . . there is plenty of wit here - GUARDIAN

Riders who hop onto the back of Smithy Ide's bike and ride America with him will cherish the journey. I loved this sad, funny, life-affirming novel - Wally Lamb

Ron McLarty is a successful actor and audio book narrator. He lives in the USA and this is his first novel. He has a website at

Author Location: New York

A debut novel that comes out of left field; intelligent, original and wonderfully offbeat. This book was the subject of a massive auction in the US, and film rights have now been sold for over 1 million dollars.Smithson Ide's life so far has led him nowhere. He's 43 years old, weighs 279 pounds, and keeps himself numb with food and alcohol. His only emotional ties are to his parents and to the memory of his older sister, Bethany, who has been missing for 20 years. Then his parents die in a car crash and he learns of Bethany's death in LA County. Suddenly there isn't enough beer in the world to keep Smithy from his feelings.Drunk and bereft, he takes his old Raleigh bicycle and starts cycling. Once he starts, he can't stop and then he's riding across America to recover his sister. Along the way he meets all sorts of people who help or hinder him. He hears the confession of a priest, he rescues a boy from a snow storm, he has a gun pointed in his face, he's hit by a truck and helps a man dying of AIDS. Smithy's ride is an extraordinary quest, to rediscover the past and memories of Bethany, but it's also his journey back to life.

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