Finished 4-25-10, rating 3.5/5, fiction, pub. 2008

Cray is one of the last relatives I have left, but I can’t seem to muster up much empathy for him, even though I know he needs it.  He’s lost, just the same way I was when I was his age.  I should be helping him more.

After all, I’ve given stacks of money to complete strangers, but I’m almost incapable of being in the same car as Cray.  I wonder if I’ve become too solitary after years on the road or if I’m allergic to my family.

I don’t particularly want to explore out mutual history or the connections that make us relatives instead of strangers.  I just want to stop, shove Cray out by the side of the road, and drive away.

page 50

Ross is a travelling pianist and thief.  He uses his gigs to scope out women to take to bed and rob of their jewels.  He is an equal opportunity thief in that he also steals random BMW’s from the street and sells them.  What makes Ross a little odd is what he does with his windfall.  He gives it away to strangers.  He’d lived a life of high income and spending and reached the conclusion that it didn’t make him happy.  When his nephew is dropped at his hotel door for a month, Ross is reluctant to resume his nighttime activities, but soon enough Cray has opened up a whole new can of worms.

This was an interesting book, one I grew to appreciate.  I liked that it was original and had a lot to say about money and how we all relate to it.  I enjoyed watching Ross come out of his shell and learning his reasons for giving the money away.  I did feel that it took too long for me to really get into the book.  I started it, put it down and didn’t feel like picking it up for another month.  But, that being said, once I reached the middle I was into it and happy I read on.

This is a free book offered from Concord Free Press in exchange for a donation to a person or charity of your choice.  I donated money to The City Mission of Cleveland.  I won this book from Dawn at She is Too Fond of Books and will be mailing it to Sarah E tomorrow.  Once she has read the book she has agreed to make a donation to a charity of her choosing and log it on the Concord Press Tracking Page.