Walkin' Matilda

by Clayton R. Graham

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0915175088
• ISBN13: 9780915175086
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: Knights Pr
• Length: 226 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

An Australian hunk in Nebraska

Orphaned Paul comes to Nebraska from Australia as an exchange student to live with childless Dick and Cathy Giles for one year, but with the possible hope of adoption. Paul, an accomplished all-round athlete has lost a leg and manages extremely well with an artificial replacement he affectionately calls Matilda. But can he survive the Giles family? Dick, an accountant, is a pedantic computer-dependant bore, Cathy, dumb and scatty, dotes on her overly friendly cat Kitty. Dick's good looking antagonistic brother Carson is a flamboyant extrovert and seemingly a shallow womaniser, a self proclaimed comedian who cannot speak without joking, he owns the local and very successful pet cemetery. Marcie, Dick's sister appears to be the only stable member of the family. Paul himself, open and sensitive (but secretly gay, for even he has a few harbours a few mysteries), is a very fine looking Australian hunk and is an instant success with everyone he meet; his devotion to running despite his handicap impress all. When he and Carson are first introduced it is clear there is a special connection, and Carson (Uncle Carse) becomes a special attraction for Paul, in turn Carson's interest in Paul proves he is not as self-centred and insensitive as he makes out. As events unfold, Paul's relationship with each of the Giles family develops in a different way, and there are a few shocks install for almost everyone. The story builds to a most satisfying climax where everyone involved somehow manages come out smelling of roses. I found this is a very appealing and funny tale, perhaps a little spoilt by the all too frequent use of capital letters in the dialogue, and the not very successful phonetic spelling of Paul's Australian speech, both of which I found a hindrance and distracted from the flow of the story. But that aside, it is otherwise an enjoyable read, ranging from passages of hilarious farce to warm tender and loving scenes.