Crawlspace

I read this book one night when I was home bored and had nothing better to do. I picked it up, started turning the pages and the images and story that unfolded have stayed with me ever since. It still sends chills down my spine when I think about the main character and how the sequence of events unfolds and takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Very good read. Very very good.

I believe that Lieberman should receive more recognition as a fine novelist. You will not find many glowing reviews about him, but he's very good, and I believe Crawlspace is one of his best. A loner existing in a crawlspace of someone's basement is gradually revealed and I was mesmerized. Lieberman made me really anxious to find out who this loner was and where he came from. The tension begins ratcheting up even before there is clear conflict developing. That's one sign of a masterful novelist. I read a ton of books and I hardly stopped to eat while I read this one.

It was an excellent read! I really emphasized with both the parties in this book. The elderly couple, and their heartwarming kindness, and the straggler, whose obvious lonesomeless lead me to tears. At an apex, they came together, and reached a somewhat obscure understanding. I loved it!!!

This was an adolescent read for me, yet I've returned to it time and time again...and with each subsequent reading, I've never failed to glean yet another "nugget" of insight into human nature ( all of its dark nature intact ). "Crawlspace" is one of those rare books that offers commentary on a page by page basis, Lieberman having skillfully interwoven such tidbits into his wonderful first person narrative. The story is enthralling, yet educates as it entertains. I cannot adequately stress this! I've read this work at least a half dozen times over the past three decades, and I still come away with yet another pearl of wisdom into what makes us do the things we do. Characters do not get more true to life than Alice and Albert Graves...I gained such an empathy for the elderly, and the quiet desperation in which they live out the remainder of their lives. The mean-spiritedness which bubbles along just under the surface of small town America...how small a catalyst it indeed takes to bring out the worst in people! This one's worth returning to many, many times down the road.

Crawlspace is a book that my friend Chuck had been recommending to me for years as it was his favorite book of all time. I finally got around to reading this and must say I really enjoyed it. It is the story of a lonely, childless couple who befriend a young drifter only to have him move into their house, or more specifically, under the house. Over time, they come to trust Richard Atlee enough to even invite him to live with them. But, eventually, all good things must end. Crawlspace is scary at times and sad at times but one thing for sure, you won't forget young Richard Atlee any time soon. This was written in the early 70's and may be difficult to find but if you do, you'll be glad you did.