National Book Award-winning author Pete Dexter excels at writing eccentric characters and comical, yet touching, prose. In Spooner, Dexter weaves the tale of Warren Spooner, a troubled boy whose father dies shortly after he's born. When his mother marries Calmer Ottosson, a decorated Navy officer fallen from grace, Warren is saved by Calmer's inexhaustible patience. As Warren grows up, the two men forge a bond that will carry them both through the hard times ahead.
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"I have to give Pete Dexter 5 stars for his way with words. What an amusing guy. He writes unique, thought-provoking phrases in a way that few people can. SPOONER is written in a passive voice for the most part but it's intriguing because the story is unpredictable and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny. This is my first experience with Pete Dexter and I will definitely seek out some more of his writing. I will concede that you may need a particular and slightly warped sense of humor to appreciate the story of this protagonist, but luckily for me, I'm more than a tad warped."
— Anne (5 out of 5 stars)
“Genuinely touching…Dexter’s journalistic eye for tellingly instructive detail, particularly as it evokes character, still is second to none.”
— Los Angeles Times“The novel’s premise—that life is one big vale of tears and that writing about it wittily and exuberantly is the best one can do…pays off in spades for Dexter and his tragically conflicted alter ego.”
— Publishers Weekly" I was sorely disappointed in this book. It has Southern gothic funny moments, but reads like a very elaborate and rambling memoir. "
— mgd, 2/13/2014" Not quite as good as Paris Trout. Truthfully, it's a little odd. Odd in a hard-to-see-where-it's-going way, not odd in a good way "
— Michele, 1/30/2014" I really liked this book for quite a while, but became very tired of the antihero, Spooner. About halfway through he seemed to definitely be going nowhere, and I put this book down for good. "
— Wyma, 1/26/2014" This epic spans the relationship betwee Warren Whitlowe Spooner and his stepfather, Calmer Ottosson. A fantastic novel touching the styles of John Updike and Ernest Hemingway. "
— Marci, 1/15/2014" This book was very long, with confusing character development. I didn't know how to feel about the characters, so I didn't feel anything. This made the book take forever to read. It was a task to read it, rather than something I looked forward to picking up every night. "
— Jennb33, 1/13/2014" This book was surprisingly excellent. I bought it at the airport in kind of rush so I had pretty low expectations but it was, for me, compulsively readable. It's the story of a strange little boy, who grows into a strange man, and his relationship with his stepfather. It probably sounds a little dull but both the boy and the stepfather are oddly compelling characters and I found myself thoroughly engrossed in their trials and triumphs. I almost gave this book 5 stars, which i seldom do, but there are a few slow points, particularly towards the middle of the book. "
— Diane, 12/30/2013" This deserves six stars. Although it was long, the writing never faltered, and I'm sad for its ending. "
— M, 12/26/2013" I just couldn't finish it and it's very rare when I can't finish a book. "
— Brittany, 12/13/2013" I would like to give this book a 4+++. I really enjoyed it. There were scenes that were laugh-out-loud funny, there were characters that were quirky and wonderful, and there was superb writing. I will read other books by Dexter as I like his style and way of writing. "
— Pam, 12/12/2013" this one kept me occupied for the last 2 weeks or so, but it reads like a run-on sentence, like many short stories all tied together with two interesting but ultimately un-understandable characters. I was waiting for a great aha at the end. more like a thud. "
— Cathy, 8/30/2013" Strong Finish, but hard to read. "
— Yvonne, 5/17/2013" Couldn't put it down. I fell in love with every character. "
— Jennifer, 3/13/2013" Hilarious & moving. "
— Adam, 12/27/2012" Recommended as hilarious and I found it pretty tiresome. The characters are rough and loose and lead a life that's a bit unbelievable. I'm sure I'm an old goat who missed all the jokes because I didn't spend much time laughing. "
— Sheelah, 9/9/2012" Very slow start but liked the second half. "
— Christen, 9/2/2012" I wanted to like it, I gave it 100 pages but I've never been a fan of rambling plot lines. Also, was not sure I bought the reason Warren was expelled from kindergarten, but I am not an expert on 4 year old boys. "
— Mary-Michelle, 8/6/2012" Spooner never quite materialized for me--the book skipped so quickly through his life. I did like Dexter's writing, but overall I felt confused and just wanted to finish and move on. "
— Misha, 4/24/2012" I thought this was a pretty good book. The main character was really strange which kind of kept the story going...an easy read and good story. "
— Samantha, 2/11/2012" With painful effort I dragged myself through the first four chapters before giving up on this piece of poorly written pablum. If it has any distinction at all it must be setting a record for length of run on sentences. "
— Brett, 8/11/2011" Loved this book, so quirky & honest!! I also loved Paris Trout, gotta read his other books.... would definitely recommend. "
— Joye, 5/18/2011" Spooner is a unique character. The story begins when Spooner is born and at this time he is in his early 30s. Each page is interesting. While spooner is bizarre, his story is believable. Story ends when Spooner is in his 40s and his step-father is dead. "
— Rhonda, 4/18/2011" Very different from anything I've read before. Not sure how to feel about it... "
— Tina, 4/15/2011" At first I thought I wouldn't like this book, mostly due to its very masculine nature. But it grew on me, and I ended up experiencing it as a master description of life and the quirks that make us human and lovable. "
— Rachel, 4/9/2011" I think I found a new author to follow! One of the reviews described it as a poignant memoir with a "Garp"-ian twist. So true. Dexter is hysterical yet relatable and Spooner is such a lovable protaganist. "
— Liz, 4/5/2011" Warren Spooner and his older sister Margaret become Calmer Ottoson's stepchildren. Later he and Lily have 2 of boys their own. The story is of Calmer's attempts to understand and salvage the life of Spooner. "
— Momm, 4/1/2011" A little tough to take at the start but Dexter's gift for character development and sense of humor encouraged me to finish and actually like the book. "
— Cindy, 3/30/2011" Peter Dexter is a master at creating complex, hilarious sentences. "
— Mark, 3/12/2011" Don't miss the acknowledgements in the back. Hilarious! "
— Janell, 3/3/2011" i thought it was great. i don't feel like i ever really knew Warren Spooner, but i don't think i was supposed to. "
— Sheryl, 2/27/2011" Quirky characters. Quirky story. I enjoyed it a lot. "
— Glenn, 2/25/2011Pete Dexter is the author of the National Book Award–winning novel Paris Trout, among others. He has been a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News and the Sacramento Bee and has contributed to many magazines, including Esquire, Sports Illustrated, and Playboy. His screenplays include Rush and Mulholland Falls. Born in Michigan, he was raised in Georgia, Illinois, and eastern South Dakota. He now lives on an island off the coast of Washington.
Tom Stechschulte (1948–2021) was an acclaimed narrator and winner of the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He had been a college athlete and business major when a friend dared him to audition for a play. He got the part and traded the locker room for the dressing room, eventually taking him to New York City and to recording audiobooks.