Leaper: The Misadventures of a Not-Necessarily-Super Hero [Paperback]

Geoffrey Wood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 19, 2007

Has he gone crazy? Had too many espressos?
Or is he really a brand new super hero?

What if one day-suddenly, inexplicably-you discover you have a superpower? And what if it's not a very good superpower, either, like flying or super strength, and you have no idea what you are supposed to do?

Leaper follows the confessions of reluctant hero James, a recently divorced, life-long barista who finds himself in just such a predicament and asking those very questions. Is his newfound leaping power a miracle from God? The result of a lifetime of over-caffeination? Or a final break from sanity? Should James “do good” with his ability? But if doing good proves trickier than expected, where do you go for a superpower manual? And what is “good” anyway?

In this witty, unconventional novel, debut novelist Geoffrey Wood serves up equal doses of sharp humor and disquieting poignancy, exploring the meaning of redemption, beauty, and faith beyond all reason.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's a bird...it's a plane...no, it's.... Leaper-man? In this quirky, kooky debut novel, Wood (himself a barista at Starbucks) imagines what it might be like if a 30-year-old, divorced, over-caffeinated coffeehouse barista were suddenly endowed with a superpower that allows him to leap through space. ("Like a butterfly in a bad breeze, I'm all over the place.") Narrated by "James" in first person, the story is littered with oddball behavior, hyper-anxiety ("you can never worry too soon"), and random musings, including a funny back-and-forth with a 911 operator. So, what's a superhero supposed to do? Does he need a costume? What about good deeds? A relationship with a fellow barista, Monica Oates, throws James into her family life, which resembles a sitcom. But even the sweet, longsuffering barista Monica finds a relationship with him difficult. Soon, James's bizarre power has cost him his job, his apartment, a potential love interest, and earned him some jail time. As James grapples with his God-given superpower, he decides he wants out. Wood is a funny, talented writer with a welcome, albeit unusual, voice in faith fiction. Readers will hope to hear more from him in the future.
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Review

“One of the quirkiest and funniest openings to a novel I’ve ever read. There are sections of dialogue herein that are simply delicious, and the plot makes one examine how well we use our God-given talents.”
—RAY BLACKSTON, author of Flabbergasted

“Geoffrey Wood’s compelling novel Leaper is a splendid romp with a fresh hero who is both poignantly vulnerable and hilarious. James will tug your heart, spark your tears, and leave you with a soul-satisfying
smile you can’t stop if you want to.”
—KRISTEN HEITZMANN, best-selling author of Freefall

“What the hit TV series Heroes fails to explore—the divine source of our gifts, both routine and extraordinary; the possibility that miraculous talents are meant to honor God—Geoffrey Wood tackles with playful, intriguing abandon in Leaper. Wood endows his reluctant, confused hero not only with the ability to instantly ‘leap’ to any place he can imagine but also with the wandering mind, paralyzing fear,
and pesky flaws common to humans—we know this guy! Wood keeps the Carl Hiaasen-like weirdness in check with truly provocative ideas and excellent wordsmithing. Leaper is a fast, funny, fantastic read.”
—ROBERT LIPARULO, author of Comes a Horseman, Germ, and Deadfall

“If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Leaping, of course! I always say that. Only I didn’t know what to call it until reading Leaper. Insightful, humorous, well-written, with a lemony-fresh smell, Leaper delves into faith, its many questions and quagmires, inside the crazy world of an erstwhile superhero trying to make sense of his life and his newfound gift. This book is a gift to every single one
of us who finds Jesus at our side and doesn’t quite know what to do with Him. I can’t wait to get a peek at what Geoffrey Wood has up his sleeve next.”
—LISA SAMSON, award-winning author of Straight Up and Quaker Summer

“A friend will recommend this book, and you’ll think you can maybe just dip your toes in to discover whether the water is as inviting as it looks. Be warned. By the end of the first page, you won’t get out. The book will sweep you into its currents, and you’ll enjoy every moment of the ride.”
—SIGMUND BROUWER, author of The Last Disciple and Fuse of Armageddon

“Leaper has it all: a great hook, compelling writing, and a real look at faith in an unreal world. It’s fantasy, it’s reality, but best of all, it’s a fabulous read.”
—MAY VANDERBILT and ANNE DAYTON, authors of Emily Ever After and The Book of Jane

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (June 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140007343X
• ISBN-13: 978-1400073436
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,934,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A fast entertaining read, July 14, 2007

By 

Steve Taylor (Only visiting this planet) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Leaper: The Misadventures of a Not-Necessarily-Super Hero (Paperback)

I can't remember when I've read a book that starts out with such a fantastic beginning. The writing is quick, witty and very funny. I can feel James' caffeine running through his veins. The story starts out with a very clever premise and sprouts from there but about three-quarters of the way through the book things take a turn towards the sad and depressing (not that comedies can't have a serious side)... most of the humor is gone and the plot that could have been never happens. The story had so much promise and then it just let me down. Although this book is going through the Christian novel websites and bookstores it's basically secular with a Catholic perspective. It's not about the Gospel it's about being good and how to go about accomplishing that task with the gifts God gives you. Isn't that what all religions do, including atheism and agnosticism? Although the lesson learned was "nice" it would have been good to see James mature in deed instead of just thought and maybe, just maybe he could have called God "Jesus" at least once. After all it is His name. "God" is kind of generic. The book could have used a couple more chapters. James could have helped Captain Goss find his killer or anything that would have tied the stories ending. Maybe Geoffrey's planning on a sequel. A nice first attempt but I doubt I'd read another one from this author.

1 Star = I've been robbed!
2 Stars = Why'd I finish it?
3 Stars = Good
4 Stars = Excellent
5 Stars = Life changing

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As Satisfying as a Latte with Two Extra Shots, June 23, 2007

By 

Kelly Klepfer (Iowa) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Leaper: The Misadventures of a Not-Necessarily-Super Hero (Paperback)

Geoff Woods' debut novel is charming, hilarious, irreverent, edgy, sweet, thought-provoking and challenging.

My husband has begun reading lots of fiction lately. I tend to make suggestions or leave books lying about for him to pick up. Leaper landed in his hands before I could crack the cover.

Every night while I quietly read other books, he laughed out loud with Leaper. This is not like him...oh he laughs but not out loud very often. The last time he laughed out loud like he did several times during Leaper's first chapters, was when Jack Black as Nacho Libre fired up his little zippy-cart-thing and took off in a cloud of smoke.

I'm ashamed to admit that I took the book. I devoured it while he was distracted with a Sunday school lesson and a couple late nights at work. I buzzed past where he was in Leaper and he furrowed his brow at my laughter. I told him I had a deadline and laughed away.

Leaper is Funny -- yes capital F.

Those who struggle with strict adherence to religiousity may struggle with the non-traditional approaches of dispensing truth. Christian readers may struggle with Catholisicm.

But if you love wacky, quirky, funny and really love it when those qualities make you stop and think about the way you look at the world -- then don't walk, don't even run -- leap to your local book store or for your credit card.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caffeine, humor and a leap..., July 18, 2007

By 

C. Wood - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leaper: The Misadventures of a Not-Necessarily-Super Hero (Paperback)

An absolutely excellent book! Unlike anything I have ever read. Enjoyable to everyone, it subtly explores seemingly simple concepts of trust and faith but does so with a thoroughly engaging and hilarious story. I laughed out loud on numerous occasions. The over-caffeinated pace can leave you breathless at times and you will have a hard time putting this one down. In the end you have been entertained but left with an interesting question, is your ability to trust strong enough that it allows you to take a leap of faith.