num_pages: 432
description: Big Fish meets The Notebook in this emotionally evocative story about a man a woman and an alligator that is a moving tribute to love from the author of the award-winning memoir Rocket Boysthe basis of the movie October SkyElsie Lavender and Homer Hickam (the father of the author) were high school classmates in the West Virginia coalfields graduating just as the Great Depression began. When Homer asked for her hand Elsie instead headed to Orlando where she sparked with a dancing actor named Buddy Ebsen (yes that Buddy Ebsen). But when Buddy headed for New York Elsies dreams of a life with him were crushed and eventually she found herself back in the coalfields married to Homer.Unfulfilled as a miners wife Elsie was reminded of her carefree days with Buddy every day because of his unusual wedding gift: an alligator named Albert she raised in the only bathroom in the house. When Albert scared Homer by grabbing his pants he gave Elsie an ultimatum: Me or that alligator! After giving it some thought Elsie concluded there was only one thing to do: Carry Albert home.Carrying Albert Home is the funny sweet and sometimes tragic tale of a young couple and a special alligator on a crazy 1000-mile adventure. Told with the warmth and down-home charm that made Rocket Boys/October Sky a beloved bestseller Homer Hickams rollicking tale is ultimately a testament to that strange and marvelous emotion we inadequately call love.
language: English
title: Carrying Albert Home: The Somewhat True Story of A Man, His Wife, and Her Alligator
publisher: William Morrow