Carrying Albert Home by Homer Hickam

Summary:

Elsie 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, Elsie’s dreams of a life with him were crushed and eventually she found herself back in the coalfields, married to Homer.

Unfulfilled as a miner’s 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.

The Adult Book Club provides an informal, congenial atmosphere for patrons over eighteen years of age to share their literary interpretations of the current book selection. Everyone should read the month’s selection before the meeting.  Please feel free to attend even if you haven’t finished the book as long as you don’t mind hearing how the book ends.  Everyone is encouraged to participate in the discussion, but listeners are welcome.

Light refreshments are served by individuals from the group on a volunteer basis.  Extra copies of the book selection are available one month in advance at the library circulation desk.
 
Registration is required.
Program facilitated by: Karen Raymer