# Identify this book or movie from my vague recollections **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 26, 2008, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-book-or-movie-from-my-vague-recollections/435057 "2008-01-26T05:15:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2008, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-book-or-movie-from-my-vague-recollections/435057/1 "2008-01-26T05:15:03Z")
I have a memory of this book I read. At least I think it’s a book. There’s a small possibility that it’s a movie, but I’m 95% sure it’s a book. The only thing I remember is that there’s this guy working in a small machine/engine repair shop. He might of been an ex-con or mentally challenged person, but I can’t say for sure. Anyways, the part that I remember is that the other people at this shop spent all of this time trying to figure out what was wrong with a lawn mower or something. This guy walks out and realizes that there’s no gas in the tank after 30 seconds. That’s the scene that I remember well. I have a vague recollection that this guy might have killed someone with a lawnmower blade also. Any help? ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2008, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-book-or-movie-from-my-vague-recollections/435057/2 "2008-01-26T05:22:50Z")
[QUOTE=treis] I have a memory of this book I read. At least I think it’s a book. There’s a small possibility that it’s a movie, but I’m 95% sure it’s a book. The only thing I remember is that there’s this guy working in a small machine/engine repair shop. He might of been an ex-con or mentally challenged person, but I can’t say for sure. Anyways, the part that I remember is that the other people at this shop spent all of this time trying to figure out what was wrong with a lawn mower or something. This guy walks out and realizes that there’s no gas in the tank after 30 seconds. That’s the scene that I remember well. I have a vague recollection that this guy might have killed someone with a lawnmower blade also. Any help? [/QUOTE] Uh, Lawnmower Man? (The King story confounded with the movie)? Or is this a whoosh? ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2008, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-book-or-movie-from-my-vague-recollections/435057/3 "2008-01-26T05:28:56Z")
Did it have the scene I described in it? Why do you think it’s a woosh? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2008, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-book-or-movie-from-my-vague-recollections/435057/4 "2008-01-26T05:47:47Z")
I don’t remember the movie that well, but Slingblade comes to mind as a possibility. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2008, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-book-or-movie-from-my-vague-recollections/435057/5 "2008-01-26T05:49:52Z")
I just googled it and I’m pretty sure it is Slingblade: [Dan Heller's Movie Review: Sling Blade](http://www.well.com/user/argv/reviews/sling-blade.html) “Admittedly, Karl’s simple-minded approach to life is refreshing to us, since we are usually completely absorbed in the analysis of our day-to-day decisions. The movie touches our sensibilities that reminds us of Occam’s Razor: the best solution is usually the simplest. For instance, when a group of mechanics fail to fix an engine that won’t start, they bring him over to look at it. The first thing he does is open the gas tank and says, “There’s no gas.”” ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2008, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-book-or-movie-from-my-vague-recollections/435057/6 "2008-01-26T06:01:28Z")
Yes! That’s it. Thanks a million. I knew the Dope wouldn’t let me down!