Unpublished writer Kelly Palomino, a professional dishwasher, pursues the girl of his dreams, an unsuspecting newlywed, and must survive a series of misadventures to find true love
Sandlin's first novel is almost a tribute to Tom Robbins, with waitresses, cowboys, crazy but wise old men, musings on love and death, and a main character whose life is completely out of the ordinary. Kelly Palamino, a dishwasher in Jackson, Wyoming, wonders ``if there might be a reason why some lives are consistently more bizarre than others.'' His certainly is: he's written four unpublishable novels, his ex-wife insists they were never married, and he hears voices in running water. His life takes on meaning when he sees his ``soulmate'' at her own wedding and dedicates his life to making her his own. Though the story is far-fetched and the outcome ridiculous, yet predictable, Sandlin has a light touch and a wry humor. The next one should be better. Susan Avallone, ``Library Journal'' Copyright 1987 Cahners Business Information.
Bride Colette Hart makes just one mistake when she spiritedly takes hold of a football on the steps of a Jackson, Wyo., church and gives it a good, smart punt over the rectory before proceeding to her own wedding: she drops her good-natured kick in sight of dishwasher Kelly Palomino, lounging across the street on his porch, who is seized by an instant, not-to-be-thwarted love for her. Kellyseparated from his wife, a slob, a man who hears voices but argues he is sane, a good old boy with a vulgar sense of humor and an embarrassing penchant for humiliating himselfcrashes the wedding and, a true obsessive, irritatingly proceeds to follow Colette everywhere, begging her to leave her new husband and marry him. This first novel is as single-minded as its narrator, hammering over and over at the pitiable Kelly's unreasonable mission. Although at times charming and insightful, the narrative rarely rises above its conceit about the folksy, foul-mouthed wisdom of madness. (April 15) Copyright 1987 Cahners Business Information.
