Crum

I first heard of Lee Maynard while listening to his interview with Terry Gross on NPR. I grew up in Chattaroy, not far from Crum - so, I was compelled to read the book. Even though I grew up there in the 1970s and 1980s, little had changed from the time in which the book was set. We were more mobile, but fundamentally, the same time and place. We did the same things and had as much fun, as many fights and forged enough friendships and memories to last a lifetime. It was a walk down memory lane and a fantastic journey for anyone. Read the book!!!I've ordered Cannibals - now that I've finished Crum - I can't wait for it to arrive. I'll check back in with a proper review later.A special thanks to Lee Maynard for pulling those memories back into my present.

It's a shame more people don't know about this book. It's one of the funniest books I've ever read. I would definitely not recommend it to any female friends, because it is a book for guys. The book follows a young boy through his final year in the little town of Crum, West Virginia. It's full of pranks and small adventures. In a town without excitement, this guy and his friends were determined to create some. They do a pretty good job.For a few years it was out of print, and I was glad to see it come back last year. My copy is worn out from rereading it.

The first time I read this book I was 14 yrs. old and I was living in Logan WV., about 30 miles from Crum, WV. That was in 1985. I fell in love with the book immediately and read it all the way through. There were times when I cried and times I laughed so hard I couldn't stand it and much of the time I felt like he was telling my story and talking about my feelings and experiences. I have let about half a dozen people read my copy and it's getting pretty ragged. Lee Maynard, I don't know how you did it but you have written the best book I have ever read, next to the bible of course. Man, you're up there with Twain. Thank you so much.

It's been almost 10 years since I read this and then started pushing it off on friends. Now, I have no idea where my copy is. "Crum" is one of those special books that you can't forget. There are moments of humor, reflection, tenderness, and particularly painful longing, sadness, and regret. It's much like growing up, wherever you're from.

This is an excellent story about growing up and graduating from a small-town Appalachian community. My parents were of the same age in a town near Crum, and this book leaves a good, detailed account of what it was like then. This book is very similar in narrative to "Of Mice and Men" and you can finish it in similar time. Stupendously funny, touching, and sometimes sad, it would make a very good movie script. The story revolves around a teenager, trapped in a small town, and his quest to find something meaningful to do and experience, and the influence of the people around him. A must read.