Crazy Love: A Novel [Hardcover]

David Lozell Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 2002

A lyrical and passionate love story of two astoundingly diverse characters with such different backgrounds and stories to tell. A farmer ridiculed by neighbours for his strangeness, lonely nearly to the point of madness, so desperate for human touch he tries leaning into the hands of the barber giving him a haircut. An ambitious, successful woman wondering if she has the perfect job and the perfect fiance, then why did she feel so hollow inside - even before the illness, the disfiguring surgery. They should have nothing in common...he considers animals as property, she can't tolerate their mistreatment. They should be star-crossed...she's a sophisticated city dweller who can't abide violence, he's never travelled beyond the local town and has blood on his hands. Crazy Love will heal your broken heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An upscale woman from Washington, D.C., falls hopelessly in love with an oafish Appalachian farmer in veteran author Martin's engaging romantic fairy tale, which begins when 30-year-old Katherine Renault retreats to her rich fiance's backwoods cottage to escape the pressures of urban life. She gets more than she bargained for when she encounters a farmer named David Long, known by the locals as Bear, trying to help a couple of villagers save a dying cow. Smitten by Long's strength and sense of compassion, Renault drifts toward a friendship with the odd, reclusive farmer, with some help from the local veterinarian who sets up a series of animal rescues for the two that eventually lead to the formation of a shelter. Renault ignores the belief of many villagers that the farmer is retarded and dangerous, and their love is sorely tested when Renault is beaten up by the two rednecks who mistreated the cow that brought the couple together. But Renault focuses on Long's sensitive, loving nature as their deep-seated chemistry quickly moves them toward a permanent union. Martin keeps the narrative clipping along at a sprightly pace, and he never misses a chance to tug at the heartstrings with his cast of heroic animals. The sappy moments are balanced by the author's obvious compassion, but what makes this book work is Martin's portrayal of Long, whose depth, passion and clumsy emotionality become quite endearing. Martin goes a bit over the top with an out-of-nowhere ending involving Bear's brother and Renault, but this novel has plenty of winning moments for readers seeking a warm, fuzzy romantic journey with plenty of critters along for the ride. Agent, Bob Datilla.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Bear is a lonely Appalachian farmer who raises cattle, shoots groundhogs, and traps mice. His greatest fear is that no one will come to his funeral. When Kate Renault walks into his life on a mission to rescue abused animals, "crazy love" is born. Kate is a city girl on temporary leave from her usual life. She enlists Bear's help with her mission, and he goes anywhere she leads without question. Then animals begin to talk to Bear, and he changes his attitude as his relationship with them, and with Kate, develops. As crazy love spreads, it touches unexpected people and changes their lives, too. This charming love story is emotionally evocative but unsentimental, and the characters are well rounded and believable. Martin (The Crying Heart Tattoo) delivers a package readers will eagerly unwrap. Joanna M. Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Lib., Providence
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1ST edition (February 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743223500
• ISBN-13: 978-0743223508
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,869,306 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another brilliant piece of fiction from David Martin!!!, January 25, 2002

By 

pfloyd24 "pfloyd24" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crazy Love: A Novel (Hardcover)

As with every David Martin novel that I have read, Crazy Love is populated with fascinating and well-rounded characters that live in your memory long after the last page is turned (which happens much too soon). Katherine and Bear bring this gripping story to life in a way that lets the reader feel completely involved with the story. I can't stress enough how much readers of quality fiction are missing if they don't read the books of David Martin. So few authors these days are as reliable for a solid story with gripping characters, plot twists and satisfying endings. David Martin will not disappoint you...

Treat yourself.
Read Crazy Love!!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Love Story (and More), January 30, 2002

By 

Joshua R. Martin (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crazy Love: A Novel (Hardcover)

This beautifully crafted novel tells an amazing story about two people who are opposites in so many ways but who nonetheless fall deeply in love with each other. The fact that they are opposites -- she is a yuppy/socialite from Washington, D.C. and he is an eccentric farmer from Appalachia -- is exactly what allows their crazy (and perfect) love to develop. When she is terribly traumatized and reacts in an uncontrolled manner that would drive any normal man away, he is there for her . . . as solid and constant as a rock. And she returns the favor by having the intelligence and sensitivity to see his eccentricities (perceived by most others as the actions of a retarded madman) as interesting character traits that make him a unique individual.

These are all great concepts, of course, and "Crazy Love" is not the first novel to explore them. What sets this novel apart from others is the way David Martin describes the characters and tells the story . . . by the end, you will feel as though you know these people closely and have experienced life with them for a snapshot of time. And that is why this novel will break your heart, mend it, and send you off filled with hope.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a typical sappy love story, February 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Crazy Love: A Novel (Hardcover)

For those of you who've read David Martin before, his newest novel is different from his recent thrillers. "Crazy Love" is reminiscent of his earlier literary works; I simply call them "good fiction stories."

While the plot of "Crazy Love" centers around the relationship of Bear and Kate, it goes beyond their love affair to explore their relationships with animals, their neighbors, their families, and themselves.

All in all, "Crazy Love" is uplifting, sad, inspiring, and frightening.