Review of "The Life and Adventures of Lyle Clemens" by John Rechy

Are you up for a captivating and witty tale? Come and meet a hero whose life and adventures takes us across the state of Texas on into Las Vegas. Lyle Clemens is a man with a lust for life. He was born in Texas. His mother had been a Miss America hopeful. Lyle has grown up not knowing his father, and aware there are family secrets that could account for his beautiful mother's constant sadness.

Her name is Sylvia, and she wants her son to be something he is not. As he reaches adulthood he discovers that most of his relatives want him to be something he is not. Even his wife wants the same thing for him. They want him to become a media star. They picture him as the "Lord's Cowboy." Lyle runs away from all this to find his own way. As he travels around he meets charlatans, quirky gamblers, fake magicians, and sleazy show girls. An eccentric gospel singer leads him into attending an Academy Awards ceremony. It's a romp with no slow-down throughout the book.

The reviews for this book have been great, and I add my own endorsement of this read-worthy mystery. It's very funny and wise at the same time. Enjoy!