Free Ride by Marilyn Gayle

Free Ride

Marilyn Gayle

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From Publishers Weekly

Vera, a Ph.D. candidate in Victorian literature, is working in a New Mexico bookstore when Sammy Fortune waltzes in, steals a book, then returns a few days later to ask for a refund. Sammy claims to be a rock musician, rides a motorcycle and serves up creamy casseroles and chess pie a la mode. Vera falls under Sammy’s spell, only one of several victims of this con woman who sells a car that isn’t hers, forges checks and concocts a false case of leukemia as an excuse. Gayle introduces too many characters too soon–including Sammy’s ex-lover Meredith, a promoter of solar energy; Pesh, who desires Vera; and Bentley, a generous soul who falls for Sammy’s leukemia story–and fails to develop them. Most tolerate the intrusive and irritating Sammy, discovering her perfidy too late. Pretentious and inane writing (‘Some incognito puzzlement vainly rang Vera’s inner doorbell’) combined with a rambling plot make this novel a free ride to nowhere. Gayle wrote Rose under the name Marilyn Hoff.

Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Sammy is a freewheeling lesbian who wears t-shirts emblazoned with ‘War Is Menstruation Envy’ and a black leather jacket, rides a Harley, and speaks out of the corner of her mouth: ‘Trust me. I’ve handled bigger hogs than this.’ She is also a compulsive liar with the annoying habit of talking about herself in the third person. Unfortunately, Gayle does not let Sam become our heroine. Instead, the novel meanders off into the confusing lives and dull subplots of Sammy’s ex-lovers and friends. When we finally return to Sammy midway through the novel, it’s too late, the reader’s gone. It’s a shame. Gayle created a fascinating character and has some great stories to tell. Not recommended.

– Brian Kenney, St. John’s Univ. Lib., Jamaica, N.Y.

Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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