megalithic28's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
loloreid's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A delightful read that is funny but still has depth in both the writing and the portrayal of character. A story of Percival "King" Leary, a Canadian hockey legend living in a care home being hired by a ginger ale company to star in an ad, which will involve him travelling to Toronto with a fellow home resident and a care aide. Told in first person, switching between the present and memories of scenes from his past, you learn more and more about his remarkable life and the tangles of fame, friendship, and the limits of the human mind and body.
musthafa's review against another edition
5.0
A hilarious book that brings the sport of hockey alive. It's only by the last page you realize the book was never about hockey. It was about life. You'll laugh throughout the book. You'll reflect in silence for a while when you're done.
clarehitchens's review
5.0
This book has been on my radar since I read and loved Bill Gaston's The Good Body. Someone suggested to me that I would probably like King Leary. And then when it won Canada Reads I mentally made a note that I still hadn't got around to it. It's too bad, because it's f***ing brilliant. This is purely selfish, but I met Paul Quarrington briefly at last year's Eden Mills festival. I think I said, Nice to meet you. I wish I could have said how much I loved his writing. It's probably for the best, though. Like Jim Cuddy, I probably would have over-gushed, and there would be no invitation to the parties after that. :-) Anyway, read this book. I guess it's best if you know hockey, but it's so, so much more than a book about hockey.
stephybara's review
3.0
This won the 2008 "Canada Reads" contest, so yay for Paul Quarrington. I think he was a great human being and a great writer. (Sadly, he died in early 2010.)
This book is the life story of a hockey legend as he nears the end of his life. I didn't love this book, but I also couldn't put it down.
This book is the life story of a hockey legend as he nears the end of his life. I didn't love this book, but I also couldn't put it down.
mlytylr's review
5.0
probably the best novel that could possibly be written about hockey (that isn't reaaally about hockey, in the end.)
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