Ron McLarty: "The Memory of Running" Quiz

Answer: Audiobook

The book was turned down by print publishers and was released first as an audiobook. Reportedly, Stephen King listened to the audio version and praised it in "Entertainment Weekly". After that, McLarty found a publisher. Thank you, Mr. King!

Answer: foreman in a toy factory

As the book opens, Smithy Ide is a forty-something, unmarried, overweight couch potato who works as a foreman at a toy factory in Providence, Rhode Island and spends his evenings getting tanked at a local bar. A likely-sounding protagonist, no?

Answer: They're dead.

They're newly dead. They were in a car accident on their way home from their summer vacation rental. Smitty was on vacation with them and was to have returned home in his own car. A state trooper found him, drunk, sitting by the lake, and drove him to where they were hospitalized. They both later died from their injuries.

Answer: She's dead.

She's dead, too. Smithy finds a letter addressed to his father, from a coroner's office in California, that states the dental records Mr. Ide provided had enabled them to identify remains of a woman in their custody as Bethany Ide, Smithy's sister. Bethany, who suffered all her life from mental illness, had disappeared years before while on her honeymoon and the family never found her. Smithy has always loved his sister dearly despite her illness--in fact he himself frequently has what appear to be visual hallucinations wherein she appears to him.

Answer: She lives next door to Smithy's parents' home.

Norma is the next-door neighbor at Smithy's parents' home, where Smithy grew up. She used to be over at the Ides' house all the time. When she was only nine years old, Norma was hit by a car and severely injured, ending up in a wheelchair. Since childhood, Norma has had a major crush on Smithy and he's never really liked her--he considered her to be a little pest when she was younger and after her injury, Smithy hasn't gone to see Norma much.

He feels guilty about his treatment of her.

Answer: An old bicycle.

Smithy finds his old Raleigh bike hanging on the wall. He begins to ride it, and ride it, and ride it....

Answer: Bananas

He rides to the store and finds he doesn't have enough money to buy beer and cigarettes. The clerk tells him bananas are on sale and he gets some. They're great!--much to Smithy's delight.

Answer: Venice, California

He just starts riding the bike, and at some point realizes he is going to California to get Bethany.

Answer: All of them.

And quite a few more! Smithy has lots of adventures on his journey.

Answer: He has AIDS.

Carl has an advanced case of AIDS. When he and Smithy arrive at the hospital after Carl hits Smithy with his truck, the staff automatically treat Carl, even though Smithy is the accident victim. That's because they know Carl--he gets periodic hospital care due to having AIDS.

After treating him, they send Carl home in Smithy's care. Smithy never does tell them he was the accident victim. Carl dies while Smithy is staying with him, and Carl's doctor buys Smithy a new bike and camping gear.

Answer: Calls Norma.

Norma wires Smithy money, and tells him to let her know if he needs any more. Throughout his journey, he and Norma talk on the phone frequently. Over time, their conversations draw them closer to one another.

Answer: Bill, St. Louis

Smithy actually succeeds in looking up Bill's "woman", but Bill hasn't been around much for many years. He's turned into a wino. Bill's son comes home when Smithy is visiting and threatens his life, so Smithy leaves.

Answer: Arizona

As so often happens in Smithy's life, his entry into the bike race is unintended and pretty much the course of least resistance. He has a fine time admiring the derrières of three young women who are also entered in the race.

Answer: Yes

Smithy makes it to Venice and yes, he finds Bethany at a mortuary. He also sheds over 50 pounds while riding across the country.

Answer: Norma

Norma comes to comfort Smithy at the mortuary. They leave together, presumably to live happily ever after.