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Aluminum Cans? But I just Loved this Fantastic Story about them! Jul 18, 2008
No long review from me - it isn't necessary. This book was plain fantastic. I read it every night for 5 straight nights and the story stayed with me for days on end.
I tend to read serious works of literature and rarely read light entertainment. However, several friends I respect loved Robert Saunders first novel, Tommytown, so I decided to give this one a try. And I'm glad I did.
Mr. Saunders wrote a wonderful story around aluminum cans, yes cans, that pulls you to the point of not wanting it to end. The characters come to life in this tale of Zoie wanting to build her swimming pool, but the way in which the author brings out the emotions, values and concerns with each unique can that Zoie finds is such a terrific way of telling this great story. I highly recommend it.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Authentic Characters are Combined with an Awesome Story! Sep 23, 2007
I think what made me excited about reading this book was the scope of the story revolving around cans...plain old cans. Once I started reading Gathering of Cans I just couldn't put it down. I found the stories of the cans to be unique, incredible and heartbreaking. And when I was done reading the story I could not stop thinking about the characters and how the author tied their wonderful life experiences to the Mountain Dew can, Budweiser can, the Christmas Coca-Cola can and the Nehi Can.. The characters were very likable, and the descriptions were super and not too drawn out. Also, the characters are skillfully woven from every perspective, soldier, sibling love, musician, outdoorsman, victim, bully, husband, wife, and they seemed authentic, and not contrived. I really liked how Mr. Saunders was able to capture so many character's feelings and thoughts. Also, I do applaud the author in his ability to bring all these character together with the main character Zoie and create an awesome ending that caused me to reach for a tissue. Plus it didn't leave any loose ends; everything was closed up; leaving me with no lingering doubts about the story. If you're searching for a terrific, well-written women's novel then this is the book for you. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to all my friends. Have a good day!
4 of 17 found the following review helpful:
 Unlike anything I've ever read... Sep 05, 2007
Where to start... I was so overwhelmed by the errors in this book, both technical and substantive, that I am not certain that my one-star rating is fair to the overall plot. But, based alone on such a flawed product I would never be able to recommend this book.
At the center of this novel is Zoie, a woman generally loved by her community but considered an eccentric by some, who has set for herself the challenge of building a swimming pool for children. She raises money by collecting discarded aluminum beverage cans and then sells them for recycling. Her motivation for this project is revealed along the way, although the reason for this money-raising method is not. Thus, in this quest, five of her mid-to-later years are passed, scouring highways and byways, fields and streams, alleys and restaurants, and the like. During this time, she happens upon selective old cans that stir her memories of important times, relationships, and experiences. Hence, the title is, I believe, a metaphor for the drawing together of memories.
NOW, if you don't mind a healthy dose of typos and/or misspellings; AND if you aren't at times bothered by the disregard of accepted standard language usage (e.g., the relative pronoun "that" being used often and throughout, instead of "who" when the antecedent is a person); AND if awkward syntax doesn't interrupt the narrative flow for you (e.g., "residing at" instead of "located at" in referencing places); AND if punctuation errors aren't problematic (e.g., use of quotation marks in paragraphing); AND if "alright" is all right with you...THEN this might be a book you could enjoy.
ALSO, if you can accept the concept of remembrances of a person who wasn't a part of a good many of the recalled events; AND if you can believe in a story in which every main character--except two bad guys--is exceptional in ability, relationships, and/or careers, given each is out of a lower-middle working class Baltimore neighborhood (I grew up in Baltimore); AND if you like very, very long, tangential stories that may enhance but not advance the story; AND if you want to know head-to-toe attire, including style and fabric texture and color, of practically all who move across these pages; AND if you're turned on by love-making scenes with graphic descriptions in what seem the author's stretch to write steamy sex; AND if you do not mind an author who summarily declares how things are rather than develops characters and events in order to draw the reader to understandings of his or her own; AND if you find some charm in the author's self-promotion within the pages of his own novel by, first, having a Cans' character mention one of his [Saunders'] previously published books as one of her favorites (irrespective of the incongruity of the time frames) and, second, by actually giving one of the Cans' minor characters his own [the author's] full name...THEN this may be the book for you.
While this is the author's fourth novel, it is the first of his that I have read. Because of bad editing and proofreading--unlike anything that I've ever before seen--I intended to send a shame-on-you letter to the publisher. However, in Googling, I learned that this is a self-publishing/printing operation--that is, one in which the author himself pays for the process, and that includes, it seems, options in levels of editing and proofreading. Therefore, I didn't bother. At the very least, a refresher English 101 course and the use of a good proofreader would have been helpful.
I am astonished at the four and five-star ratings found on this customer review site.
14 of 16 found the following review helpful:
 I haven't found a book this engaging in a long time! Aug 05, 2007
I was mesmerized by this book. I read it in two sittings. I was so absorbed in the story I felt like I was standing with Zoie, Birdie, Nat and Jerry. When I got to the end I wanted more, and I wanted to turn the last page and see what else was going to happen to these exciting characters. I haven't found a book this engaging in a long time. I was moved to tears several times and had to remind myself that I was reading a book. It definitely is a powerful story that will stay in your mind long after you are finished. A wonderful novel by an author that you will definitely remember. I plan to buy the author's Tommytown before the day is finished. I would recommend Gathering of Cans to anyone.
22 of 24 found the following review helpful:
Definitely worth Reading! Jul 27, 2007
Robert Saunders has written a sweeping, emotionally powerful story that provides the reader with a most telling window into life of Zoie Baker over the past 40 odd years. It's also a moving story of friendship between brothers and sisters, sacrifice and heartfelt love between a husband and wife. Saunders is an amazing writer and "Gathering of Cans" rivals his thrilling mystery "The Monopoly Factor". I literally read this book cover to cover all 530 pages in 2 days. This is one of those books you don't want to see end as you've completely bonded with the characters and once the book is closed, you're no longer in their lives or they in yours. As much as I loved his other books I actually loved this book more. Definitely worth reading.
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