Call number
FIC UDA
Collection
Genres
Publication
W. W. Norton (2001), Edition: 1st, 432 pages
Description
Half Apache and mostly orphaned, Edgar Presley Mint's trials begin on an Arizona reservation at the age of seven, when the mailman's jeep accidentally runs over his head. As he is shunted from the hospital to a school for delinquents to a Mormon foster family, comedy, pain, and trouble accompany Edgar through a string of larger-than-life experiences. Through it all, readers will root for this irresistible innocent who never truly loses heart and whose quest for the mailman leads him to an unexpected home.
Subjects
Media reviews
Contemporary fiction is full of cynical, world-weary protagonists. One of the strengths of this big, uneven novel -- it reads at times like a John Irving novel touched up by Roy Blount Jr. -- is the lovely and complex character of Edgar, an innocent whose struggle to survive is at odds with his
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fundamentally gentle nature. Show Less
School Library Journal
This novel is a wonderful, wise debut, with a strong story told in language that teens will find easy to embrace.
Entertainment Weekly
Udall is too smart to lapse into sentimentality; he writes with such warmth and humor that Edgar's travails are endearing rather than horrifying.
The New York Times Book Review
One of the strengths of this big, uneven novel -- it reads, at times like a John Irving novel touched up by Roy Blount Jr. -- is the lovely and complex character of Edgar, an innocent whose struggle to survive is at odds with his fundamentally gentle nature.
Newsweek
Udall persuades us to care for Edgar, to root for him to survive, and he is so successful that by the end of the story the only unbelievable thing is that Edgar Mint is nothing but a figment of Brady Udall's imagination.
Library Journal
An engaging, well-told story that will appeal to fans of Western fiction and the quirky picaresque.
Publishers Weekly
Udall's style is reminiscent of the '60s black humorists, but he doesn't share their easy cruelty or inveterate superciliousness, making this not only an accomplished novel, but a wise one.
Booklist
Udall's tale is cruel, kind, and well worth reading.
User reviews
LibraryThing member paulharryallen
Hilarious, tragic and masterfully told. I can't wait for him to write some more.
LibraryThing member lcrouch
The exquisitely written story of a half Apache/half caucasian boy in search of the mailman who ran over his head as a young child on the reservation. Edgar was like one of those dolls that, no matter how often you knock them down, they always bounce back up. A sad, sometimes ironic, saga that
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inevitably gives one the assurance that, no matter how bad things are, they will always improve before they go sour again! Show Less
LibraryThing member pippi-longstockings
Sad. Unbelievably sad. The ending is positive but the book is sad at times to read. Not depressing sad however as Udall writes with humour mixed in. A very touching book.
LibraryThing member rfewell
Read this for a book club that I facilitated at my first Librarian job.
LibraryThing member cestovatela
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint has some interesting characters and vividly brutal scenes, but that alone isn't enough to make a novel. In the end, Brady Udall just isn't able to come up with a strong enough plot to hold his story together.
LibraryThing member bnbookgirl
A truly intriguing novel. A great look at life of those affected by horrific tragedy. Edgar faces so much adversity and loss in his life," he even loses his illusions that make people lives bearable." This novel is great storytelling; filled with humor and heartache. It is filled with quirky
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characters from Dr. Barry Pinkley to Art Crozier, to Edgar himself. I great read and a great book for bookclubs. Show Less
LibraryThing member JGoto
“You don’t know about the tooth fairy,” he said, shooting me the skeptical eye. “All right,” he sighed, “the tooth fairy. This is the fairy that lifts up your pillow in the middle of the night and takes your tooth. She collects teeth, you know, for some reason…”
“What’s a
“It’s like this little old lady with wings who flies around.”
“The lady has wings?”
“Well, she’s not exactly real, like me or you, she just floats. I think.”
“Like a ghost?” I didn’t want to have anything to do with a ghost who floated around lifting up pillows.
Art struggled to keep his voice down. “She’s not a ghost. She’s nice, dangit. She’s a fairy.”
Thus Edgar describes the sometimes funny, often horrific day to day events of his life in Brady Udall’s coming of age story, The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint. Edgar, an unloved, unwanted half-breed Apache boy, lives through one disaster after another. His tale, jumping back and forth between first person and third, begins on the reservation on which he was born. From there he spends many months in hospital, and then moves on to an appalling boarding school for Native Americans, which takes only those that nobody else will have. He eventually goes on to live with a dysfunctional Mormon foster family in Utah, and then finally finds a home in Pennsylvania. Along the way Udall introduces us to a host of quirky and memorable characters. Udall’s debut novel is both surprising and engaging
“What’s a
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fairy?”“It’s like this little old lady with wings who flies around.”
“The lady has wings?”
“Well, she’s not exactly real, like me or you, she just floats. I think.”
“Like a ghost?” I didn’t want to have anything to do with a ghost who floated around lifting up pillows.
Art struggled to keep his voice down. “She’s not a ghost. She’s nice, dangit. She’s a fairy.”
Thus Edgar describes the sometimes funny, often horrific day to day events of his life in Brady Udall’s coming of age story, The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint. Edgar, an unloved, unwanted half-breed Apache boy, lives through one disaster after another. His tale, jumping back and forth between first person and third, begins on the reservation on which he was born. From there he spends many months in hospital, and then moves on to an appalling boarding school for Native Americans, which takes only those that nobody else will have. He eventually goes on to live with a dysfunctional Mormon foster family in Utah, and then finally finds a home in Pennsylvania. Along the way Udall introduces us to a host of quirky and memorable characters. Udall’s debut novel is both surprising and engaging
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LibraryThing member the_awesome_opossum
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint is about the difficulty of identity: self-identity versus group identity versus the need to "fit in" somewhere. This motif is realized in a very real way on the first page: after Edgar's head was run over by a mail truck, he can no longer remember anything before the
Edgar's voice is one of the strongest and most coherent I've ever heard in a novel. Plus, in places the book is just funny. Here's an excerpt, Edgar's encounter with a bully:
"Resting all his weight on my chest, Clint struck a thoughtful pose. 'Hmm. I guess we'll give you the typewriter. Do you know what the typewriter is, Geronimo?'
I tried to explain that I had a typewriter of my very own, a Hermes Jubilee 2000, in fact, but Clint didn't seem interested. He grabbed both my ears and twisted them, making a racheting mechanical noise deep in his throat. 'See?' he said. 'I'm feeding in the paper. Get it? Typewriter?'
....Every once in a while, he would call out ding! - the sound of the carriage reaching its end - and would give me a solid slap on the face as if to return the carriage to its proper position. It did seem that Clint knew his way around a typewriter."
See? Funny, even if I should feel bad for enjoying that passage. The book takes up a lot of serious issues - child neglect, racial tensions, failed marriages, drug abuse - but it cuts the tension with dry humor and Edgar's charm. It was a pleasure and a lot of fun to read this book, to grow up alongside Edgar and cheer him on.
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accident. But, more abstractly, the question of memory and the tension between holding on and growing up in the search for self-identity remains an issue throughout the book. Edgar's hybrid identity - half-white, half-Apache - makes him the outsider among both groups. His family tree is poorly mapped out, with many family members missing or indifferent to Edgar's life. So he gets shuffled around and makes the best of a bad situation.Edgar's voice is one of the strongest and most coherent I've ever heard in a novel. Plus, in places the book is just funny. Here's an excerpt, Edgar's encounter with a bully:
"Resting all his weight on my chest, Clint struck a thoughtful pose. 'Hmm. I guess we'll give you the typewriter. Do you know what the typewriter is, Geronimo?'
I tried to explain that I had a typewriter of my very own, a Hermes Jubilee 2000, in fact, but Clint didn't seem interested. He grabbed both my ears and twisted them, making a racheting mechanical noise deep in his throat. 'See?' he said. 'I'm feeding in the paper. Get it? Typewriter?'
....Every once in a while, he would call out ding! - the sound of the carriage reaching its end - and would give me a solid slap on the face as if to return the carriage to its proper position. It did seem that Clint knew his way around a typewriter."
See? Funny, even if I should feel bad for enjoying that passage. The book takes up a lot of serious issues - child neglect, racial tensions, failed marriages, drug abuse - but it cuts the tension with dry humor and Edgar's charm. It was a pleasure and a lot of fun to read this book, to grow up alongside Edgar and cheer him on.
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LibraryThing member jules72653
It took me a long time to read this book even though I found it enjoyable. I loved the character of Cecil who would pick up litter wherever he went. The last few chapters were riveting and I read well into the wee hours to finish.
LibraryThing member RachelPenso
The very first line of this book explains it pretty well: "If I could tell you only one thing about my life it would be this: when I was seven years old the mailman ran over my head."
Edgar is the half-Apache son of an alcoholic mother and an absent father. The book goes on to tell about Edgar's
Edgar is the half-Apache son of an alcoholic mother and an absent father. The book goes on to tell about Edgar's
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life in the hospital after his accident, a Native American boarding school and a Mormon foster family. Show Less
LibraryThing member kelawrence
This book was great and the first that I have read by this author - everyone else who loved this book and wrote a review was right - there are times when you laugh out loud and can totally identify with this character. At points the book switches between the first and third person, but not so much
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as to confuse the reader. Would certainly search out another title by this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member Unicycledad
I enjoyed it enough that I dragged out the last 10 percent of the book over a four or five day period, while getting into another book at the same time.
LibraryThing member justablondemoment
This was one of those books that keep me rolling in waves of different emotions. I laughed, cried, cheered ect. Edgar will steal your heart as you go thru his life from a young boy to adulthood. Highly recommend!!!
LibraryThing member LivelyLady
Interesting but kind of rambling.
LibraryThing member LynnB
Edgar Mint is a character that you will fall in love with. After having been run over by a mailman's jeep and surviving, Edgar's life is a series of scenes reminiscent of Dickens and, as others have mentioned, Owen Meany's.
This book is darkly funny at times and Edgar is truly engaging. I must
Well written with a subtle sense of humour. Brady Udall is becojing one of my favourite authors.
This book is darkly funny at times and Edgar is truly engaging. I must
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admit, though, that I found the multiple scenes of violence at Willie Sherman School a bit too much -- I literally counted the pages 'til edgar (and I) could leave that behind.Well written with a subtle sense of humour. Brady Udall is becojing one of my favourite authors.
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LibraryThing member presto
Edgar Mint is seven years old when the mailman's Jeep accidentally runs over his head, he is thought dead. But half-Apache Edgar, is taken to hospital where young Dr Barry Pinkley does not give up on him. When he later comes out of his coma he remembers nothing of his life (other fill it in for
Edgar tells his own story as written over the years on the trusty old typewriter given him by a Ray, a fellow hospital patient - one of the results of his accident is that he cannot get his hands to write. He takes us through the eight or nine years since his accident: his time happy time in hospital, the horrendous years in school where he suffers constant bullying and some pretty disgusting indignities, better times with the Mormon family, and then the end of this search for the mailman and 'home'; finally he proves a brief account of his life since finding 'home'.
Edgar is an incredible character, not just as the miracle child who seems to survive any number of strange or life threatening disasters, but he his thoroughly appealing, one can forgive whatever he does (and he does some pretty worse than naughty things!), yet he remains an innocent and is basically a good kid. Along the way he meets some colourful characters; including Barry his life saving doctor who pursues him throughout, and Ray who proves to be a true guardian even in his absence. Little Cecil, equally bullied and whom he befriends at school, and the two very different children of the Mormon family are among the better children he meets.
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint is an most endearing story, by turns funny and moving, but always beautifully related. Edgar Mint will surely prove one of the most memorable and likeable of fictional characters.
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him), alone in the world he is happy living in the hospital until time for his discharge. Then packed off to a school for American Indian children his real troubles begin, but things look better when a Mormon family foster him; yet he never feels at home, and his one desire throughout is to find the mailman to tell him he is alive.Edgar tells his own story as written over the years on the trusty old typewriter given him by a Ray, a fellow hospital patient - one of the results of his accident is that he cannot get his hands to write. He takes us through the eight or nine years since his accident: his time happy time in hospital, the horrendous years in school where he suffers constant bullying and some pretty disgusting indignities, better times with the Mormon family, and then the end of this search for the mailman and 'home'; finally he proves a brief account of his life since finding 'home'.
Edgar is an incredible character, not just as the miracle child who seems to survive any number of strange or life threatening disasters, but he his thoroughly appealing, one can forgive whatever he does (and he does some pretty worse than naughty things!), yet he remains an innocent and is basically a good kid. Along the way he meets some colourful characters; including Barry his life saving doctor who pursues him throughout, and Ray who proves to be a true guardian even in his absence. Little Cecil, equally bullied and whom he befriends at school, and the two very different children of the Mormon family are among the better children he meets.
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint is an most endearing story, by turns funny and moving, but always beautifully related. Edgar Mint will surely prove one of the most memorable and likeable of fictional characters.
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LibraryThing member kirstiecat
I really couldn't put this one down. The idea of the whole thing from square one is medically preposterous but the protagonist (and it's written with first person perspective) is a very interesting one. Full of life and innocence and over the course of the novel's more than 400 pages, you see him
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really grow up and learn so much. His life is pain but there's the sense he's existing for a reason. I loved almost every word. Show Less
LibraryThing member lonepalm
The disappointing life of Edgar Mint: I was drawn by the rave reviews, the comparisons to Dickens and "One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest". What I was left with was a bad taste in my mouth. The story was dark, with humorous moments interjected...the style is confusing, jumping between first and third
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person narrative...the characters were more caricature than developed. After an early life of pain, loss and heartbreak, Edgar is rescued by an ill-timed meeting with a previously unknown character from his forgotten past. There is a movie deal for the book...I would suggest cartoon artist Jamie Hewlett. Show Less
LibraryThing member BooksOn23rd
Good God, what's with this book? How many times do I have to say to myself, "yeah...right...I'm SO SURE that would happen..."? I gave it 160 pages before I just...couldn't...go...on...
~Stephanie
~Stephanie
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
What an odd and extraordinary book. At times disturbingly violent, achingly sad, laugh-out-loud funny, endearing and touching. Udall takes the reader through a journey unlike any other. I wonder at his use of the occasional third person - e.g. "Edgar sits on the couch." This literary device (if
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that is what it is) disappears at the end of the book. Ultimately I guess it is about perseverance and faith. I'm glad I read it, but I doubt I'll read it again. Show Less
LibraryThing member TooBusyReading
Edgar Mint never, ever had an easy life. His drunk, teenage mom was indifferent to him, his wannabe cowboy dad disappeared before he was born, he is half-Apache and half other in an intolerant world, and he had his head run over by a postal vehicle.
And Edgar just doesn't seem to realize how bad he
The characters in this first novel are so rich, and I love befuddled, stronger-than-he-knows Edgar. The people are all flawed and I liked them anyway, and the plot moves at a good pace. But to me, this story is not about the storyline; it's about Edgar's wonderful journey through life, and I am grateful he took me with him.
I listened to this book because I so much enjoyed the author's later book, The Lonely Polygamist, and not realizing Edgar was an earlier book until after I listened to it, (By the way, the author's interview at the end of the audio edition is well worth listening to.) The narrator was quite good, really added to the story, but I'm assuming he is not from the US west. I'm pretty sure he pronounced “buttes” as “butts,” which made me laugh.
It takes a good author to make me feel good about a character who has so many bad things happen to him, but this book was funny and uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable.
And Edgar just doesn't seem to realize how bad he
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has it. Bad hospitals, crazy patients, unhinged but well-meaning doctors, and bully schoolmates in a Bureau of Indian Affairs school abound. There are Mormons with issues. And a Hermes Jubilee (not sure of the spelling – I listened to the book) typewriter thrown in for good measure.The characters in this first novel are so rich, and I love befuddled, stronger-than-he-knows Edgar. The people are all flawed and I liked them anyway, and the plot moves at a good pace. But to me, this story is not about the storyline; it's about Edgar's wonderful journey through life, and I am grateful he took me with him.
I listened to this book because I so much enjoyed the author's later book, The Lonely Polygamist, and not realizing Edgar was an earlier book until after I listened to it, (By the way, the author's interview at the end of the audio edition is well worth listening to.) The narrator was quite good, really added to the story, but I'm assuming he is not from the US west. I'm pretty sure he pronounced “buttes” as “butts,” which made me laugh.
It takes a good author to make me feel good about a character who has so many bad things happen to him, but this book was funny and uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable.
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LibraryThing member zmagic69
I admit it I didn't finish this book. Made it to page 115. This is a terribly boring, rambling, and not funny book. It appears as though the author has spent too much time trying to be like the author John Irving, only in the first quarter of the book there was nothing to make me want to read
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further. Show Less
LibraryThing member Daftboy1
Not my usual choice of book. I am glad I picked it though.
Young Edgar Mint a half apache 7 year old boy nearly dies when he is run over by a postman on the Reservation where he lives with his Mum.
Edgar then goes to hospital, gets better then school, he then is adopted by a Mormon family.
This is the
He isn't very sharp but he isn't dumb her loves to type on an old type writer.
His mission in life is to seek out the Postman and tell him that he never died and is doing well.
He tracks down the Postman's widow and lives with her for a while.
Original well written nice story.
Young Edgar Mint a half apache 7 year old boy nearly dies when he is run over by a postman on the Reservation where he lives with his Mum.
Edgar then goes to hospital, gets better then school, he then is adopted by a Mormon family.
This is the
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story of Edgars life from boy to Man, he meets lots of characters good and bad along the way.He isn't very sharp but he isn't dumb her loves to type on an old type writer.
His mission in life is to seek out the Postman and tell him that he never died and is doing well.
He tracks down the Postman's widow and lives with her for a while.
Original well written nice story.
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LibraryThing member banjo123
It was pretty good, the story of a Native American boy who had been run over by a mail truck, and his experiences in boarding school, foster care, etc. Udall creates a unique voice for Edgar, which I liked. However, I felt the book could have been improved by editing. Edgar tends to give exhaustive
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details, which makes sense given his character, but it was a bit much for me at times. Show Less
LibraryThing member Eoin
"If I could tell you only one thing about my life it would be this: when I was seven years old, the mailman ran over my head." Did you laugh? If so, this book is for you (also, you are a friend of mine). I have loved this book since it came out in 2001, back when no one much wanted to read about
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bad things happening to children. Worth it for the love of a Hermes typewriter. Show Less
Awards
Indies Choice Book Award (Honor Book — 2003)
Association for Mormon Letters Award (Winner — Novel — 2001)
Young Lions Fiction Award (Finalist — 2002)
Spur Award (Winner — 2002)
Reading the West Book Award (Winner — Fiction — 2002)
Pages
432
ISBN
9780393020366