Breakfast at Sally's - by Richard LeMieux (Paperback)

About the Book

Reprint with new forward. Previously published in 2009.

Book Synopsis

"Reads like a novel. . . . But it has the ring of truth, and an uplifting message that endures."--New York Times. Features a new foreword by the author and a heartfelt endorsement by Washington State's First Lady, Trudi Inslee!

Once a happily married businessman, avid golfer, and the proud owner of several luxury cars and three boats, conservative-minded Richard LeMieux saw his fortune change almost overnight. In this astonishingly heartfelt memoir, he describes his descent into homelessness and his struggle to survive personal and economic disaster.

Evicted from his home in 2002 and living with his dog, Willow, in a beat-up old van, LeMieux finds himself penniless and estranged from his family and friends. He dines at the Salvation Army (aka Sally's), attempts suicide, and is treated at a mental hospital where he is diagnosed with depression.

Writing on a secondhand manual typewriter, first at a picnic table in a public park, and then wherever he can, LeMieux describes his odyssey and the quirky, diverse, and endearing cast of characters found among the homeless people of Bremerton, Washington, and, by extension, everywhere else. Breakfast at Sally's is a rare inside-look at how the other America lives, and how one man, beaten down and alone, was able to reconnect, find good people, and ultimately, with their help, to persevere.

Review Quotes

"Reads like a novel. . . . But it has the ring of truth, and an uplifting message that endures."--New York Times

"It's wonderful what Richard's doing. His book was given to me by a mutual friend. . . . He really puts a face on the homeless. That it could be any one of us. There's a stereotype of homeless people, and people are often afraid of the homeless, because they put on a front--a mask--and act defensive and tough, when they're really not. All they want is to be warm and safe, just like everybody else." --Trudi Inslee, First Lady of Washington State

"For those who yearn to believe in the basic decency of most human beings, this book provides abundant evidence." --Christian Science Monitor

"Once I started this book I could not put it down."--Captain Howard Bennett, Salvation Army

"Readable and thoroughly life-affirming."--Kirkus Reviews

"It's easy to look from afar onto the world LeMieux writes about. People panhandling. Living in cars. Most of us probably figure they've always been down. But how far did they fall? Maybe farther than we think."--Seattle Times

"Breakfast at Sally's refutes stereotypes about the homeless. Anyone reading it will no doubt become more compassionate and empathetic towards homeless people."--Michael Stoops, Executive Director, National Coalition for the Homeless

"An important book. A vivid, honest peek into a world we rarely see."--Nan Roman, President and CEO, National Alliance to End Homelessness

"'Sally's' refers to the Salvation Army soup kitchen, a friendly way station for LeMieux and his ever-present companion, 'Willow the Wonder Dog.'"--Charlotte Observer

About the Author

Richard LeMieux is a writer and ex-businessman who was once happily married and the owner of several cars and three boats. Evicted from his luxury home after his business failed, and living with his dog, Willow, in a beat-up old van, LeMieux wrote Breakfast at Sally's on a secondhand typewriter. He is now a public speaker, talking about his experiences as a homeless person. He and Willow live in Bremerton, Washington.