Lunch at the Piccadilly Audiobook

" For anyone reading these, a note: I'm penning these reviews to help me with my writing -- what I like, don't like, what stays with me after a read. Maybe it will help you too. I found this title on a reading list for a writing seminar in Wisconsin that I didn't attend (a good place for recommendations!) This is the story of a middle-aged bachelor, Carl, who patiently looks after his Aunt Lil at a convalescent center. Aunt Lil wants to go home and not give up driving. (A side note: Lilly and Carl were my parents' names. Hmmm. Wonder what that means?) What is different about this book is to have the setting and most characters be elderly. What's also interesting is how the songs Carl talks about and writes throughout the book are all listed at the back. Also that Carl's high-pitched voice and his attempt to bring it lower is his weakness and vulnerable point that makes us care about him. "

" Set in North CArolina, which is definitely southern. Not one of my favorite Clyde Edgerton books-- words i never thought I'd utter. Maybe reading about geriatric antics hits too close to home now. However, it did make me recall all those family meals at the Piccadilly... "

" Extremely close to home for me! Funny...but I didn't really like most of the characters, and it was more than a little depressing. "

" I do like Clyde's books, didn't care for the ending but loved the humor in this lovely view of old folks. "

" This was not Edgerton's best. I think his older characters in Walking Across Egypt were much more fun and more sympathic. "

" Another funny story. This one takes place in a nursing home. I love his characters. Very entertaining. "

" Normally I enjoy Edgerton's work, but I found this one to be very weak. It was almost like he was pulling for something to say. It was slow and uninvolved. The characters were not developed well enough to really enjoy. I didn't find it entertaining or hysterical... as some reviews had stated. "

" Unimaginably bad. No story to speak of, flat characters, and a really poor reflection on the types of great personalities that can be found in the South. "

" This was a charming little book. I especially liked the use of Southern dialect and spelling by the characters. It managed to give a cheerful and light-hearted take on old age. "

" This book is a sometimes funny, light read. The plot revolves around the lives of some spirited nursing home residents. "

" The concept of having aging parents in a nursing home is dealt with using humor and reality. However, I felt cheated when it was done as I felt he had only taken a superficial look. "

" Super sweet and a nice read. "

" Edgerton always has such interesting characters. Anyone who has had experience with elderly people in a nursing/retirement home setting would enjoy this book... "

" My grandmother took me to the Piccadilly every Sunday after church to eat. The food is just as good now as it was then and I still eat there once a week. This book really reminded me of those days. "

" humorous treatment of a not-so humorous part of life "

" Loved this book! It's a laugh-out-loud book from beginning to end. Some parts very touching--a story about the elderly, their striving to keep independent, and what we can all learn along the way. "

" Funny, scary for old people "

" I really enjoy Clyde Edgerton's books and this one is no exception. Wonderful characters, deft dialogue and a quirky cross section of life. Highly recommended! "

" Quick read about residents of a nursing home. Cute book. I honestly did not know whether to laugh or cry!!! "

" For anyone who has ever had a relative in - or visited - a nursing home, this is a funny, sad, somewhat realistic snapshot of life there. Aunt Lil is quite a character, moving in and out of lucidity, and everyone should have a nephew like Carl. "

" just a basic little story but if you like the south its cute "

" Thoroughly enjoyable, hilarious, and touching. I love Edgerton's characters and their escapades. They're so real, you could reach into the book and touch them. This was the first book of Edgerton's that I read, and now I'm determined to read them all. "

" A lonely nephew spends his days visiting his aunt and her crazy fellow residents at a nursing home. It had such potential and ended up being boring. "

" If you have ever had a loved one in a bad nursing home, this book will sadden you at times. However Edgerton is an excellent writer who captures many funny moments in the lives of these characters making it an easy, enjoyable read. "

" Let's make churches and nursing homes interchangeable. Huh? I totally missed the point on this one... "

" A short, funny book with an accurate depiction of life in a nursing home. I think I'm still a little troubled by my Grandmother's recent passing to enjoy all the humor. But you can tell by the character's stories that this author has experienced the same thing. "

" I wasn't as touched by this book and I thought I would be or as much as I feel the author intended. "

" Interesting insights on life in the rest home. I never want to get old. . . "

" Ho-hum. The author seemed to take a long time establishing the characters before the story actually began. Not Edgerton's best effort by any means but it definitely improved as the book progressed. Enjoyed the author interview at the end. "

" A short, funny book with an accurate depiction of life in a nursing home. I think I'm still a little troubled by my Grandmother's recent passing to enjoy all the humor. But you can tell by the character's stories that this author has experienced the same thing. "

" Except for the ending, which just petered out like a dying sparkler, I enjoyed this book. "

" Another funny story. This one takes place in a nursing home. I love his characters. Very entertaining. "

" funny little book about old folks in a nursing home. incidentally, i used a Werther's wrapper as my bookmark. "

" I just love Clyde Edgerton. He writes about people in their everyday lives. "