Book review

Title: Lovers Lame

Author: Robert Rudney

Publisher: Port Charlotte, FL: Booklocker.com, 2012

Paperback:  ISBN: 978-1-61434-962-4

Cost: Paperback: $29.95, 270 pages; E-book: $8.99

Reviewer: Steven E. Brown, Ph.D.

	I first learned about this book in an email from the author. He indicated he wanted to put stories about love, sexuality, and disabilities, as well as social issues in a novel, instead of another article. I have read many tales about disability over the years, but few novels and even fewer captivating ones. Lovers Lame achieves something unexpected. I would use it in an introductory class to disability issues and disability studies. 

	Lovers Lame is the story of hemiplegic David Levin, who at the beginning of the novel is employed and looking for love. Despite affairs, one in particular which is the focal point of the story, he is constantly searching for his one true love. The object of his desire for most of the book clearly tells him not to expect that to be her, but he does not want to listen. Along the way he become unemployed, hooks up with a volunteer group focused on helping people with disabilities looking for jobs via networking, and finds himself unexpectedly applying for Social Security Disability Insurance. 

      Will he find a job by the end of the novel? Will he find true love? Those are answers for those who read the book. 
      
      Longtime disability advocates may see aspects of themselves in this story, but will not find it surprising. Those who are fairly new to advocacy or disability issues may find Lovers Lame a smooth way to ease into and discuss a variety of life choices (or lack of choices) that impact many individuals with disabilities.
      
Steven E. Brown, Ph.D. is Professor of Disability Studies and Review of Disability Studies Media Reviews Editor at the Center on Disability Studies, University of Hawaii. He can be contacted at sebrown@hawaii.edu.