From the Publisher John Grigio is a bitter man who one day stands in an intersection, and defies the oncoming vehicle to hit him. It does. "John does not fall, but he does bend. For the next few minutes, his torso will rest on the sumptuous hood of the Buick, his arms splayed over it; a wounded and grimacing parody of an infatuated buyer at a car lot." The driver of the vehicle, a fluttery elderly woman, apologizes to her "victim" by sending him pies. Meanwhile, our Mr. Grigio is recovering from the accident, has hired a lawyer, and is intent upon suing for everything he feels is due him. The pies keep coming, and he keeps self-righteously discarding them, untouched. Author Jack Mauro’s literary hero is Charles Dickens. Like Dickens, he milks every moment with carefully detailed descriptions of characters and situations. His characters are as absurdly recognizable as anyone in Great Expectations, and he relays his observations to us in a similar, grandiose style. Unlike Dickens, the words Mauro writes are drolly, wildly funny, and his characters are people you know. Spite Hall is a book for readers who love words, wit, and a satisfying storyline. It is very well-written, and a joy to read -- probably more than once. Product Description A glorious October morning in Knoxville, Tennessee. 1996.John Grigio stops dead in his tracks while crossing the street. He waits for the unseeing driver to strike him down; it is the spite within him making a stand. Although not, of course, for very long.Spite Hall. A dark comedy of misery, misanthropy and true love.