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| Review of Miles of Heart: The Story of the Dan DeAngelo Invitational Hearts Tournament |
Having spent the last three days unable to put Miles of Heart
down, I now realize that by a stroke of Mr. Sherman's luck --
"Shmuck" as he would say-- he composed one hell of a story.
The writing is spectacular. There are strengths in the way the story
is carried from start to finish, boiling each little scene (love how
each chapter is written as a series of scenes) down to just the right
details.
The conception of the story is not an easy one. There is no true
main character, rather 8-12, sometimes more, characters you have
to not only follow, but develop, through 38 years/chapters. The way
this is done, however, works. The reader is consumed with the
characters through the distinct back stories provided for each of
them- Dickie, the sex-charged lovable loser; Danny, whose life
seems to revolve around the tournament.
The successes and failures of each character all captured subtly, in
little vignettes throughout the story. This is the perfect way to move
forward a story that embraces the lives of so many people. Each
character is remembered, even if they don't play in the tourney for
a few years (therefore remaining "out" for a few chapters) -- the
reader still remembers them when you bring them back.
As far as the characters themselves, the reader is vested in their
lives. There is such a range of diversity with respect to the figures
created; every reader will find one (or more) to relate to.
This is a laugh-out-loud book. The dialogue is top notch,
absolutely brilliant. In fact, most of the characterization is done
through dialogue, which most writers avoid. Writers, in general,
describe their characters and their traits, whereas Miles of Heart
actually shows the characters in the traits the author wishes to have
them embody. It's far more effective, and far more humorous. I
would say that Sherman’s use of dialogue espouses so much of the
novel's structure, it, along with the sheer strength of the concept,
fuels the story.
Many themes are employed that work well throughout the story.
The casual use of the word "pimp" in its Shakespearean context
rather than its modern connotation is very clever, and funny. I like
the names the characters call each other ("Mortis," "Shedd") and
the well-timed combining of words.
The book length is perfect as well, a feat I figured the magnitude of
the story would disallow. It covers 38 years with 12 or more
characters. Brevity, in some instances, is key, and is done without
losing the integrity of the plot, the pace, or the interest of the
reader. The interest of the reader is aroused on three levels:
dialogue strength, plot strength, and most importantly, character
strength.
Yeah, MILES OF HEART is a "guys" book, but women would be
intrigued, eager to get an inside peek at what men do when the
wives are back at home. This is a multi-generational gender-
transcending work. Anybody who's ever been young and had great
friends whom they've maintained throughout their lives will relate.
The way that Chip and his pals do it in Miles of Heart however, is
rare. Who does that? 38 consecutive years of tradition?
From the first chapter when Neil Armstrong was walking on the
moon, I was hooked. Sherman embodies aspects of each year
written, and the book serves as a subtle history of the last 38
years. I love how he integrates world events into the fabric of the
story.
The vehicle for moving the story along is unique, and as the reader
soon finds out, is merely a way to tell the stories of the lives of
these men. It's not about a card game. It’s about the endurance of
true friendship.
In sum, Miles of Heart has all the components of a winning story.
It's funny, it's relatable, and most of all, IT'S GOOD!
down, I now realize that by a stroke of Mr. Sherman's luck --
"Shmuck" as he would say-- he composed one hell of a story.
The writing is spectacular. There are strengths in the way the story
is carried from start to finish, boiling each little scene (love how
each chapter is written as a series of scenes) down to just the right
details.
The conception of the story is not an easy one. There is no true
main character, rather 8-12, sometimes more, characters you have
to not only follow, but develop, through 38 years/chapters. The way
this is done, however, works. The reader is consumed with the
characters through the distinct back stories provided for each of
them- Dickie, the sex-charged lovable loser; Danny, whose life
seems to revolve around the tournament.
The successes and failures of each character all captured subtly, in
little vignettes throughout the story. This is the perfect way to move
forward a story that embraces the lives of so many people. Each
character is remembered, even if they don't play in the tourney for
a few years (therefore remaining "out" for a few chapters) -- the
reader still remembers them when you bring them back.
As far as the characters themselves, the reader is vested in their
lives. There is such a range of diversity with respect to the figures
created; every reader will find one (or more) to relate to.
This is a laugh-out-loud book. The dialogue is top notch,
absolutely brilliant. In fact, most of the characterization is done
through dialogue, which most writers avoid. Writers, in general,
describe their characters and their traits, whereas Miles of Heart
actually shows the characters in the traits the author wishes to have
them embody. It's far more effective, and far more humorous. I
would say that Sherman’s use of dialogue espouses so much of the
novel's structure, it, along with the sheer strength of the concept,
fuels the story.
Many themes are employed that work well throughout the story.
The casual use of the word "pimp" in its Shakespearean context
rather than its modern connotation is very clever, and funny. I like
the names the characters call each other ("Mortis," "Shedd") and
the well-timed combining of words.
The book length is perfect as well, a feat I figured the magnitude of
the story would disallow. It covers 38 years with 12 or more
characters. Brevity, in some instances, is key, and is done without
losing the integrity of the plot, the pace, or the interest of the
reader. The interest of the reader is aroused on three levels:
dialogue strength, plot strength, and most importantly, character
strength.
Yeah, MILES OF HEART is a "guys" book, but women would be
intrigued, eager to get an inside peek at what men do when the
wives are back at home. This is a multi-generational gender-
transcending work. Anybody who's ever been young and had great
friends whom they've maintained throughout their lives will relate.
The way that Chip and his pals do it in Miles of Heart however, is
rare. Who does that? 38 consecutive years of tradition?
From the first chapter when Neil Armstrong was walking on the
moon, I was hooked. Sherman embodies aspects of each year
written, and the book serves as a subtle history of the last 38
years. I love how he integrates world events into the fabric of the
story.
The vehicle for moving the story along is unique, and as the reader
soon finds out, is merely a way to tell the stories of the lives of
these men. It's not about a card game. It’s about the endurance of
true friendship.
In sum, Miles of Heart has all the components of a winning story.
It's funny, it's relatable, and most of all, IT'S GOOD!
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| by Eric Matheny Author of the books Home and Lockdown |
| Reader Comments |
| “You certainly have interesting characters to follow. Many of the anecdotes were quite funny and you have a knack for storytelling” |
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| “It's incredible that such longevity can still exist today with such continued excitement and devotion to a cause… proves that friendship can withstand the test of time and the effects of aging” |
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| Click Here to Email Wynn Sherman |
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