Rating: 
Summary: A fine feast of a novel...
Review: What lengths would you go to for love?J.J. Smith, Keeper of the Records for The Book of Records (akin to the Guinness Book), is a "been there, done that" kind of guy. He has traveled all over the world authenticating the longest kiss, the most splits of a single human hair, etc. Then he receives this letter about a man who is eating pieces of a jumbo jet in order to prove his love for a woman. A Tall Tale? Maybe. Could happen? Probably not. Plain fun? You betcha! The Man Who Ate the 747 is a feelgood novel with downhome humor and a sweet love story. Most of the characters in this novel go through some kind of change, which is always a refreshing change of pace after reading novels where the characters are stuck in the same desperate loop, who never learn lessons or grow beyond their boundaries. Ben Sherwood's writing is gentle and flowing and transports readers to wide open spaces where the unthinkable happens. "We chase wild dreams and long for all that eludes us, when the greatest joys are within our grasp, if we can only recognize them." How true... Read this novel and see for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, unique tall tale
Review: A friend lent me her unabridged audio and I enjoyed this unusual tall tale and sweet love story. I got a little weary of JJ Smith's constant world record ravings to everyone within earshot, but it was good to see him grow into a deeper human being by the end of the book. I read a lot and cannot think of any book similar to this one. It's entertaining and unique, and I will think of Wally and JJ Smith every time I see a 747 in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time.
Review: Many of the other reviews sum this up - predictable and boring. I was hoping for a quirky read to bridge my transition between some heavier reads. This wasn't even worth that time.
Rating:
Summary: A very sweet story of unrequited love
Review: This book was very sweet, but not sappy. I was at first drawn in by the title, but I soon began to like the characters. While it was somewhat predictable at times, it was a very fun and heart warming read. It's a great book to read when you feel like you've lost all faith in love and the general decency of people. Pick this up if you are looking for something fun, but not too heavy, and not too over the top in the romance department.
Rating:
Summary: Records
Review: This is a delightful book, especially for folks from and fond of the Midwest. I have to say, being from the East Coast, the book lacked the frantic energy I experience in daily life. But the characters were real and fascinating, the plot was certainly amiable, and the 'circumstances' more than unique. This book is worth the price of admission. It's hopeful and encouraging. It's love at it's worst and best, but it's still love, a love that makes sense.
Rating: 
Summary: An enchanting modern fairy tale!
Review: It's unfortunate that so many of the words that come to mind to describe this book - sweet, charming, touching, quirky, whimsical - seemingly belittle it, because it deserves only the highest praise. Sherwood has created an engaging tale about achieving love and greatness in our frequently incomprehensible world. Treat yourself to this book!
Rating:
Summary: What a man will do for love......yeah, right!
Review: I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. The title character (The Man...) is Wally, who decides to prove his love to a woman by eating a 747 airplane that crash-landed on his farm several years ago. Why he decides that this will finally garner her attention after 20-odd years of unrequited love, we do not know. J.J. is 'keeper of the records' of the famous record book who learns about Wally's feat in an anonymous letter and decides to travel to Superior, Nebraska in an effort to verify Wally's actions, revive his slumping career and try to figure out just WHY a man would eat a plane - true love or no true love. I can't tell you much more of the plot as it may ruin the story for you. The author draws you in with random Book of Records facts and gives plenty of detail to his oddball cast of characters and the townsfolk. Superior, Nebraska is a bit like Twin Peaks without the creepy aspects thrown in (unless you equate eating a plane with creepiness).
Rating:
Summary: different stuff but still good
Review: the book was really good i enjoyed reading about JJ and his "book". the book sets a really good example about following your heart and it was really funny.
Rating:
Summary: Quirky And Sweet
Review: This is a most unusual love story. A man in Superior Nebraska decides that the best way to gain the attention of the woman he loves is to eat an airplane that has crash landed in his cornfield. Things get complicated when J.J. Smith from The Book Of Records comes on the scene. The premise is undoubtedly strange, but the characters bring this story to life. They are a sweet and likeable bunch of people. A lightweight read, but enjoyable from beginning to end.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun but very thin
Review: The author does have a fun, goofy plot idea, buy it wears very thin. A bit didactic, too. A light read, not unpleasant, but not terribly engaging.
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