Tin Lizard Tales
Tin Lizard Tales: Reflections From a Train by Schuyler T. Wallace
This was another of the numerous review copies that I have to make my way through. Mr. Wallace would probably approve of the fact that I read a nice portion of this book while traveling on a train and even used a train ticket as a bookmark. Not intentionally, but it worked out like that and I did note the coincidence. Wallace has a real flare for words and this was the first of the books offered to me by this media company that wasn't filled with typos and glaring errors. I attribute this to the author and I must add, well done.
Once again, there is the glaring evidence of no editing. What Wallace wrote was more like two books, plenty of the material he included, didn't seem like it really belonged here. The actual story that he intended to tell, he told well and was plenty for the book. All the extra stuff would make an interesting book of his reflections, or essays on his thoughts about things. It was obvious that he put a great deal of thought into his essays and they were interesting to read, but too many of them felt like they were out of place in this book. They were cumbersome and detracted from the story of the trip.
This book wasn't perfect, but I really only have little nitpicky problems with it, odd lingo and in need of some editing, but his story was fascinating and he tells it really well. His narrative voice reminded me a lot of some of my uncles and it made it easy to catch onto his jokes. He didn't shy away from when he was crabby and not behaving well, he told his tale showing all the good and not quite so good in him. It took courage and he obviously had a lot of support and help from his family, which showed throughout the book.
