I mostly liked this story. I think it is believable, in the sense that it could have happened the way it is told. Some parts are sad, but the challenges that arise are handled. Keeper has an amazing support network of friends and caring associates. I envy him that, and think we should all be so lucky. Too often I feel as if it is me with my concerns & the world out there just going along as if all is well. Keeper has astute friends who gather round to help. That's good for him & will be great for his child. I do wonder how there could be so many big secrets, if people had just talked to each other the situation would not have been so dramatic. I wonder why the existence of a child would not be discussed.
This story flows well, it has a lot of dialogue, a bit of suspense, and a happy ending; so I say I liked it. ( )

KEEPER AND KID is an exceptionally poignant coming-of-age story with a twist or two depending on the reader’s personal experiences and opinion. One twist is that the main character is a male who we witness “come of age” and the other is that this touching story is written by a male. Edward Hardy gives the reader a story that everyone will treasure and characters they will care about.

James Keeper is a man who is not exactly dependable and can scarcely take care of himself, but suddenly finds a great responsibility thrust upon him. At 36 years old, Keeper has divorced and gone on to build a rather carefree life in which he works with his best friend in an antique store, has a new love interest named Leah, and maybe his most crucial obligation each week is hosting the Sunday night card game with his friends. One phone call from his former mother-in-law changes James Keeper’s whole world.

Keeper learns that his ex-wife Cynthia is very ill and he goes to see her in the hospital. Days later, he suddenly finds himself no longer a carefree bachelor but now in the role of responsible father of three-year-old Leo, the son that James never knew was his or even existed! Coping with fatherhood is much more than Keeper had even imagined. The reader will soon see that it isn’t just Leo who grows up in this story. Time out may be something for Leo, but certainly there is no time ‘off’ when you are the dad. Leo is demanding 24/7 and after a while, Leah even has had enough and leaves James to fend for himself with precocious Leo who is now legally Jimmy Keeper’s son and responsibility.

Leo, who looks like his dad, has his certain childish quirks. James learns that beside Leo being a three year old who thinks he is really a bear, eats only round foods, and doesn’t like to bathe, he is also displaying the depth of losing his mother in the way a child often will, through behavior. Dealing with the loss of his mother, Leo begins to soil his pants, hide things from others, and just become a bit bratty to punish other people as his way of dealing with the devastation he feels at losing his mom.

Leo forces Keeper to grow up and learn more about himself and those he cares for. James deals with Leo’s fear of cats, amazing vocabulary, desire to stay up really late while still getting up very early, and in doing so, becomes Leo’s father and a better man. The characters in the story are appealing and interesting so that one wants to root for them all. This is a heart felt story that can only make you smile as you read it. The love that comes from the pages of this book is palpable and is backed by the humor and pathos of the characters and thus makes this a must read for anyone who loves a character study, coming-of-age, and family story. ( )

I walked away for this novel with mixed emotions. It’s a great story, none the less. But what was up with Grace? Why didn’t Keeper just say “forget you,” or a version of that, to Leah? Does Leo ever call Keeper “Daddy”?

Well?

As I said, none the less, this is a great book. It’s heart wrenching and funny at the same time. This coming-of-age, “hero’s journey” story was enjoyable, not like some I’ve read in the past. In fact, I finished it in one afternoon, it was that good. And I certainly plan to read it again, if only just to answer my own questions.

“She nabbed him from the pound and named him and always said that once you saved a dog from the pound there was no need to feel guilty about anything that happened after that ever.” {pg. 36}

“It’s the small futures that lead to bigger ones.” {pg. 286}

“My mom once sad that people can get to good places in very strange ways…” {pg. 294}

And if you would like to read an inverview with Edward Hardy, Lisa conducted one here. If you want to win a copy of Keeper and Kid, Lisa is giving one away here. You have until March 27th to enter. ( )

LOVED this first novel by fellow Ithacan Ed Hardy!
Keeper, a slacker in life, works at a junk yard (aka architectural salvage) in Providence, loves his girlfriend but won't commit; and receives an odd phone call from his ex-wife's mother informing him that his ex-wife is quite ill.
Without giving away the story, the 3 year old in the book is simply adorable - the quirky dialogue is texceeding realistic, endearing, and this book just warmed by heart from beginning to end. ( )

http://www.bostonbibliophile.com/2008... ( )