Customer Reviews

Lunch at the Piccadilly: A Novel

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Lunch at the Piccadilly is an impossibility: Edgerton manages to create a nursing home environment that sounds downright like fun, even a place you might want to settle in for a stay sometime. This master of humor (esp of the Southern border state variety), makes the halls of Rosehaven Convalescent Home ring with laughter, debate, religious fervor, and general hilarity. Maudie Lowe and Beatrice Satterwhite can't agree on whether Clara removes her glass eyeball at night. Lil Olive won't give up her driving license. Period.
I still think Walking Across Egypt and Raney are Edgerton's best ones ever, but Lunch at the Piccadilly is pushing at the gates, close on their heels.
You'll love it. If by some bizarre chance you haven't read Edgerton before, you have a rare treat in store.

I cannot remember when I've gained so much wisdom from such a small novel. In his first book in several years, Clyde Edgerton tells a haunting tale of Aunt Lil, her nephew Carl and L. Ray Flowers along with several other memorable characters, several who "live" at Rosehaven Convalescence Center in Listre, North Carolina. The time is the present; the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou" is still playing at the local theatre. The themes are timeless, however: old age with all its problems and sorrows, missed opportunities, the ills of fundamentalist religion, the warehousing of those who can no longer look after themselves--and trite as it may seem-- the redeeming power of both music and love.

Truth breaks through on every page. Homecooked, delicious meals have been replaced by cafeteria lunches and/or-- heaven help us-- fast food chains. On religion, Reverend L. Ray wonders why the local Baptist church sends missionaries to Alaska , England and South Africa. "It seems like church members often have a desparate need to be unaware of the local needs of the local wrecks of local women stacked along the local grim halls of local nursing homes, places in conditions far sadder than merry Rosehaven--places like Shady Rest." (All too soon L. Ray will witness firsthand the awfulness of Shady Rest.) Then there is the sad truth of the lot of women like Aunt Lil, women who because of their age and community, had their entire lives determined by whom they selected for a husband. Neither Aunt Lil nor her friends got out of a bad marriages. "Until death do us part" was taken quite literally, often to women's great detriment. Edgerton with much grace and compassion depicts the truth of these women like Lil-- they always outlive their spouses-- who are in out and of nursing homes and often in and out of reality because of advancing dementia. Sure, the author makes much gentle humor of Aunt Lil's driving skills or lack thereof. But she also says on a rare visit to her old apartment, "I used to come home. . . Now I visit home." She describes life in a nursing home as "life after life." Finally it is no accident that the novel ends with Carl, who is an altogether decent man, feeding the words to L. Ray of one of the saddest bluegrass songs ever written, "Rank Stranger."

This gem of a novel with make you smile, even laugh out loud in places, but be careful. It will ultimately break your heart, particularly if you have just spoken to a parent who isn't sure what day of the week it is or who talks to you about you in the third person.

One final note: Mr. Edgerton has Reverend Flowers come up with the plan to unite churches and nursing homes as one where "The First Breakfast" would be served instead of "The Last Supper." While this may be a novel idea, Messers Edgerton and Flowers have been trumped by a progressive thinking Presbyterian congregation in Atlanta that has turned their sanctuary into a dormitory for homeless men during the week. On Sundays volunteers come in and remove the beds and install the pews for the morning service. Sometimes churches do really wonderful things.

If you're a fan of literature that captures dialogue, settings, and people (think McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD or Flagg's FRIED GREEN TOMATOES) then this is the book for you. Edgerton's ear for dialect and inflection is unsurpassed and this funny, charming, irreverant, and wonderful look at human nature is not to be missed. Highly recommended.

So again we find ourselves in (imaginary) Listre, North Carolina where a new cache of characters keep popping up in Edgerton's world. In this (his most recent) novel, Edgerton in about 250 pages expresses the humor residing in having the audacity to be relieved that an elderly family member has passed on.

Carl's Aunt Lil must stop driving--she runs red lights, is overcome with brief spells of aphasia ("Which one is he?" she wonders at her nephew), and can't really see over the dashboard. However, since the government saw fit to give her a license and hadn't taken it away yet, she would keep driving until they did. Fortunately for Carl she passes before he can put his foot down.

Is that what we all fear? Having to be the one to snatches away what independence the elderly have left? Although making a point was unlikely to be the purpose of this book, Edgerton softly compares which way is better to go: falling from the toilet pulling a call cord for help, or in a car with old friends running red lights--laughing.

The crop of secondary characters tend to outshine the primaries in Edgerton books and this one is no different. I found the eloquent, yet grating, Reverend L. Ray to be an absolutely brilliant addition to the storyline. He reminded me of a ill-conceived cross between Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and...well, Colonel Sanders:

"O God in us all, may we embrace the rooms of refuge food. Real food, cheap food, food served by people with wet rags under their arms. I eat; I cheat. I forge; I gorge. I taste; I waste. Waffle House, Huddle House, Puddle House, Muddle House..." he begins his blessing.

The cursing one-eyed Beatrice, little Maudie, and Clara that spend their time on the front porch of the "convalescent" home with Lil evoked for me memories of Huck Finn and Mark Twain. How they yearned for adventure and ended up finding it when they least expected it!

I found the theme to be soothing rather than morbid: relief comes from death. Edgerton did a good job of finding humor in old age and seemingly in the process comes to terms with his own aging.

I liked it--it was a good quick read. I believe it to be yet another Edgerton book that would be better viewed onscreen rather than in absorbed through print.

What a wonderful idea! Those of us with aged parents know how often loneliness is mentioned as a component of their lives. L.Ray Flowers and Lil and friends come up with an idea to cure that loneliness-unite the churches and nursing homes-think globally, act locally.

Edgerton has created a group of old people with spunk and humor and love of life. He has given Lil's nephew, Carl, the patience and kindness to truly spend real time with his aunt and her friends. The description of Carl bringing his Aunt back from "jail in South Carolina" should be read by everyone who is called upon to care for an elderly person. It is a model of humor, creativeness and love.

I have every Edgerton book and each is a delicious little gem to be enjoyed over and over - except "Lunch at the Piccadilly." I was shocked and disappointed with this book as I found it meanders at an incredible slow and directionless pace. Reminds me of an assignment I had in a college writing class to write a descriptive paper about watching someone eat a sandwich. It might be a good writing exercise, but to the reader, it's pretty dang boring. In fact, I found "Lunch at the Piccadilly" so boring I quit reading two thirds of the way into the book. Life is too short to read boring books! I highly recommend Edgerton's other books, but this one is not worth the time or money. Sorry, Clyde.

The title for my review epitomizes Edgerton's writing style and story in "Lunch at the Picadilly."

This is a story of the subtle relationships that emerge as we all go through the different stages of our life.

Edgerton once again manages to create inventive characters and throws them together for humor and thought provoking moments. There is a little mystery, a little love, a bit of saddness but most of all truth.

You don't have to be from the south to enjoy this novel (but it definitely helps)! This particular edition is great with question and answers from the author at the back and questions designed for book club reading.

I think you will find a little of yourself or someone you love when you pick up this book. A great short read. Perfect for lunchtime.

I enjoyed every page of this novel, but found the ending was flat. The main character, Carl, doesn't seem to have changed or learned anything in particular about life. He has a few insights along the way that are interesting and I liked his relationship with his aunt and the other old ladies. I'm just not sure what the point of the novel was.

I can totally see this as a Hallmark film presentation, because all the qualities of their brand of entertainment are there. I used to visit my grandparents in nursing homes with my mother when I was younger, but the author of this book reminded me of everything I tried desperately to forget during those visits: the undeniable, inescapable truth that a lot of us soon come to know at some point in our lives. Clyde Edgerton paints a painful and very often whimsical verbal portrait of senior citizens and the many plights they are burdened with. Full of sometimes annoying characters (such as Reverend L. Ray) and lovable ones like sweet Aunt Lil and her loyal nephew Carl, this book will have you laughing, crying, and thinking all at once. It may also remind you of someone you know all too well in this bevy of colorfully delightful characters. This was my first Clyde Edgerton novel, and surely not my last. He made me see the retirement home set in a new and respectful light. :-)

Really I give it a 3 1/2

What I enjoyed about this novel were all the funny, quirky (many true)comments from Aunt Lil, Maudie, Mr. Flowers, Beatrice, and Clara. The tangents and the out of no where questions kept the topics (aging, nursing homes, and loss of independence and functions) from being too depressing. Some of my favorite moments was the initial driving scene (why are my feet outside?), stealing the car and wanting to buy a flag for Mr. Flower's movement, the escalator, William and Lee, and the crow tattos.

Altough at some points these comments/scenes crossed the humor side and sadded me b/c they showed readers instances of dementia. Like when Lil did not know who Carl was and when she insisted she was in a jail in South Carolina that looked exactly like her room at Rosehaven. Carl handled this situation so beautifully and sweetly. He never belittled her, always made time for her, and treated her with respect and kindness. At times Carl did feel burdened and felt guilty for thinking these thoughts, but the author and readers understand these are natural feelings.

What I did not like about this novel was there were too many loose ends and characters. I didn't really understand Mr. Flower's mysterious and criminal past, what was true, especially with Mr. Flowers and Darla as a young teenagers. And I didn't understand how eventually he was kicked out. I also did not understand what was the point of bringing up conversations with Carrie and Latricia. I saw some interactions with Carrie and the residents but not enough for me to care about her. Same with the physical therapist and Darla. I felt like these extra scenes distracted from the main part of the novel. I would have preferred it if the author had dropped these characters and focused more on the main group of characters in the novel.

What I found uplifting about this book is this strong desire for these women to live life. All wanted adventure. As soon as Carl let Aunt Lil drive in the initial scene, she said "Where's the exit?.....I've got to get on the highway." She didn't want to play it safe and just drive around the parking deck. That's boring and it leads nowhere. She wanted adventure. When the women and Mr. Flowers were talking on the porch about his movement, the women all wanted to know when they would be traveling. Aunt Lil pictured herself going on an adventure to the Everglades. What I found thought provoking was these women wanted this excitement and adventure but were physcially unable to go, yet characters like Carl and Annie could go on these adventures yet were too scared to try and led these unfulfilled lives.