The Man Who Ate the 747 - Softcover

Sherwood, Ben

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0553382624 ISBN 13: 9780553382624

Publisher: Bantam, 2004

Synopsis

This is a story of the greatest love, ever. An outlandish claim, outrageous perhaps, but trust me--

And so begin the enchanting, unforgettable tale of J. J. Smith, Keeper of the Records for The Book of Records, an ordinary man searching for the extraordinary. J.J. has clocked the world's longest continuous kiss, 30 hours and 45 minutes. He has verified the lengthiest single unbroken apple peel, 172 feet and 4 inches. He has measured the farthest flight of a champagne cork from an untreated, unheated bottle 177 feet 9 inches. He has tasted the world's largest menu item, whole-roasted Bedouin camel.

But in all his adventure from Australia to Zanzibar, J.J. has never witnessed great love until he comes upon a tiny windswept town in the heartland of America, where folks still talk about family, faith, and crops. Here, where he last expects it, J.J. discovers a world record attempt like no other: Piece by piece, a farmer is eating a Boeing 747 to prove his love for a woman.

In this vast landscape of cornfields and lightning storms, J.J. is doubly astounded to be struck by love from the same woman, Willa Wyatt of the honey eyes and wild blond hair. It is a feeling beyond measure, throwing J.J.'s carefully ordered world upside down, proving that hears, like world records, can be broken, and the greatest wonders in life can not be qualified.

Richly romantic, whimsical, and uplifting, The Man Who Ate the 747 is a flight of fancy from start to finish. It stretches imagination, bends physics and biology, but believe it just a little and you may find yourself reaching for your own records, the kind that really count. Written with tenderness, originality, and insight, filled with old-fashioned warmth and newfangled humor, it is an extraordinary novel, a found treasure that marks the emergence of a major storytelling tale.

About this title

Review:

This is a delightful first novel by Ben Sherwood, despite its risible title. JJ Smith is a very average guy who deals in very extraordinary facts. JJ "authenticates greatness" as the assiduous and obsessive Keeper of Records for The Book of Records, travelling the world to verify the longest piece of apple peel, the heaviest weights attached to a human's ears, the longest flight of a champagne cork and so on. JJ's life is orderly and safe but threatened with turmoil by an ambitious boss who wants bigger records. Desperately pursuing obscure leads, JJ stumbles upon "the most incredible record attempt, ever". A farmer by the name of Wally Chubb in Superior, Nebraska, is eating an abandoned Boeing 747 to prove his love for the beautiful editor of the local newspaper, Willa Wyatt. This is JJ's opportunity to save his job, but as he seduces the town into embracing the media frenzy that comes with the attempt at the extraordinary record, JJ finds his own feeling changing as he finds himself drawn to Willa, and a serious conflict of interests.

In the process, and looking back on the bizarre events surrounding Wally's attempt to eat the 747, JJ reflects, "I once believed the wonders of the world could be measured, calculated, and quantified. Not anymore". The Man who Ate the 747 is a gentler, almost old-fashioned comic novel of the triumph of small-town values over metropolitan arrogance. It's an old story but Sherwood tells it with deftness and humour. --Jerry Brotton.

Review:

"Ben Sherwood is an amazing writer with the rare gift of evoking genuine emotion. The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud is touching, wise, and full of hope, everything a wonderful novel should be. Read it - you'll be glad you did."
--Nicholas Sparks, bestselling author

"The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud is one of the most magical love stories I've ever read. In his wonderfully inventive way, Ben Sherwood has written a shining affirmation of life."
-- Sue Monk Kidd, author of The Secret Life of Bees

"Loved it, loved it, loved it!! Refreshingly romantic, dangerously good fun, hugely addictive. All too infrequently I pick up a book that is a pure pleasure to read....Intelligent, moving, and sweetly wise, Ben Sherwood is all set to find his way into the soft heart of American literature."
--Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat

"Sweet and inspirational.... [with] humor all his own."
--The Daily News (NY)

About this edition

• Publisher: Bantam
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0553382624
• ISBN 13: 9780553382624
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288