Synopsis
A humorous and touching novel about an alien being's arrival at the turn of the millennium is presented by the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning story collection A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain.
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Review
At the opening of Robert Olen Butler's metaphysical comedy Mr Spaceman, the date is December 30, 2000. Desi is a spaceman who has a way with words. Listening to them, that is. He has been hovering over Earth for years, occasionally beaming up earthlings and telepathically auditing their personal histories. Recently, Desi has beamed up a busload of gamblers bound for a Louisiana casino. His wife, Edna Bradshaw--beamed up earlier from Bovary, Alabama--is making sausage balls, a dish she believes will comfort the astonished visitors. Together, Desi and Edna put everyone so at ease that the abductees quickly become disciples.
Butler's narrator is a happy comic creation, a deadpan alien in love with his wife and her fine set of knockers:
There are three things about this planet which are too wonderful for me. Make that four things. The way of dreams in the mind; the way of tears in the eyes; the way of words in the mouth; and the way of my wife Edna Bradshaw when she acts like a cat and lovenibbles me into her arms.In a novel that eludes classification, Butler propels Desi's linguistic struggles, busload of disciples and attempts to plumb the mystery of human yearning to a tight climax as he plans his first public appearance on Earth, which his new followers believe is a second coming. Mr. Spaceman is by turns a fond satire of science fiction, an ode to the South, and an exploration of marital dynamics that's as besotted with detail as any Anne Tyler novel--though the perspective does tilt a little off-centre. --Claire Dederer, Amazon.com
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Mr. Spaceman
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
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Mr. Spaceman
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Condition: very_good. Cover may have light wear, pages in very good condition and binding is sturdy; may have other light shelf wear or creases. May have notes or highlighting. Seller Inventory # EVV.0802137822.VG
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Mr. Spaceman
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Grove Press (edition Reprint), 2000
ISBN 10: 0802137822
ISBN 13: 9780802137821
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Reprint. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting. Seller Inventory # 0802137822-11-6
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Mr. Spaceman
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Paperback. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0802137822I5N00
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Mr. Spaceman
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ISBN 10: 0802137822
ISBN 13: 9780802137821
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Mr. Spaceman
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Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press, 2000
ISBN 10: 0802137822
ISBN 13: 9780802137821
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Mr. Spaceman
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR014785339
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Mr. Spaceman
Published by
Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press, 2000
ISBN 10: 0802137822
ISBN 13: 9780802137821
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Mr. Spaceman
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ISBN 10: 0802137822
ISBN 13: 9780802137821
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Seller: Books on the Square, Virden, IL, U.S.A.
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Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 1st Printing. 2001. 1st Printing. Fine softback book. An as new copy that's signed by the author on the title page. 223pp. (D). Seller Inventory # 026450
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Mr. Spaceman
Seller: BennettBooksLtd, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
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paperback. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Seller Inventory # Q-0802137822