Larry's Kidney: Being the True Story of How I Found Myself in China with My Black Sheep Cousin and His Mail-Order Bride, Skirting the Law to Get Him a Transplant - And Save His Life by Daniel Asa Rose

Larry's Kidneyby Anonymous

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September 12, 2009: This is a funny, enlightening, sometimes sad story. The writing is exceptional; that the author is involved in the story makes it even more interesting. This is the first thing I have read from the author, I will most certainly read more!!!

'Huwwo' summarizes a character in one word!by gradyharp

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July 22, 2009: Daniel Asa Rose has a winner on his hands with LARRY'S KIDNEY'. He has the skill and the comic timing to pull off an unlikely caper story with lightness, hearty laughter, tenderness, and wisdom, creating a book that most likely will go directly to film. It is a fast summer read that is brimming over with some of the funniest conversations between the characters while keeping an eye focused on the very fast paced story that borders on a little miracle of writing.

Strange, bizarre, out of the ordinary walk of life Larry is a victim of renal failure and needs a kidney transplant. Living in the USA he is one of many potential recipients for a kidney transplant, a fact that stimulates the idea of traveling to China in an illegal attempt to find a new kidney. He enlists the help of his sturdy but estranged cousin Dan to accompany him to China and once there Larry introduces Dan to his email order bride Mary (a far cry from the young and beautiful description transmitted by the potential bride via email!). Larry and Dan (and Mary) unite in Larry's medical venture and the result is a story of hilarious incidents, moments of intrigue, a cultural awakening, and an exploration of the meaning of kinship and friendship and love spread among not only the trio but across the country of China.

Some critics may feel that focusing a comic novel on a subject as serious as Kidney Transplantation is inappropriate, but the manner in which Rose tells his story is light hearted and far from parody that the subject of finding a means to save the life of an unlikely candidate could have been. Though this is not a heavy novel (!), it goes beyond an entertaining comedic read and carries some important sociologic and psychologic implications. A very good read!

Grady Harp