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`Timothy`s Take-Out` is a Hit in Bookstores

Great comedy, many times, can come from simple things. Lousy customer service is one such example. Many of the customer-employee confrontations in Paul J. Barker`s delightful `Timothy`s Take-Out`, a new novel topping the best-seller lists, are based on real-life incidents taken from the author`s years of experience as a restaurateur. As amusing as these encounters might be, however, they serve only as a backdrop for what`s really happening in the novel.

The real story taking place is the passage of Carl Fellows into adulthood. It is not exactly a smooth transition for the youngster, who embodies the concept of `born loser` as fully as anyone can. Having recently dropped out of college, Carl accepts a managerial position at the noisiest, gaudiest, most poorly run eatery in otherwise beautiful Robinson`s Pt. - Timothy`s Take-Out. Almost predictably he grows to despise the job, which is totally at odds with his withdrawn, reclusive temperament.

But what miraculous things people are capable of - even ordinary schmoes like Carl - when their backs are to the wall. Rather than allow his rage to consume him, our hero channels it into a variety of constructive pursuits, from amateur boxing to cartooning. It`s not easy for a guy to be successful with The Fates against him every step of the way, but if Carl Fellows has one positive attribute, it is tenacity. His bright spirit sees him through a painful crush, a gang attack, and practically his stint as restaurant manager.