Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It4 of 4 members found this review helpful “This book has grown on me even after I've finished it, because it keeps coming up in my thoughts. Richard Russo's writing is amazing, with his characters, I think, being his greatest strength. His books always take me a while to read - they're not edge-of-the seat reading - but it's only because...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“It was good, but not great in my opinion. This was not a book that made me want to find other books by this author and read them as well. It was loaned to me by a friend and wasn't one I found on my own.”
Susan B wrote this review 22 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Richard Russo is a consummate storyteller, with few peers (vintage John Irving comes to mind). This latest effort is a great one -- nearly a perfect one, in fact -- until you get quite close to the end. Then there are all sorts of improbable discursive meanderings that kind of wreck the rhythm of the wonderful tale that precedes them. I wouldn't know how to end this story without being predictable either, but while Russo's ending is anything but foreseeable, it's anything but satisfying, too. ”
Jenny B wrote this review 3 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This book has a lot of interesting facets to it- though I can't say that it is a completely successful venture. It deals heavily with the choices the characters make- jumping from old age to youth and back- with the basic plot line being revealed early in the work. The real "point" of this novel- the mystery of it- is whether those choices were satisfying for the characters. Interestingly- only certain character seem to be able to control their destinies. Russo makes some characters- main characters- so entrenched in their ways and personalities- that they become immovable objects. And the plot is centered on how their loved ones are forced to move around them. Its a worthy read. ”
Alisha wrote this review 7 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The best book I've read in a long time. I can't wait to discuss with my bookclub.”
Paula C wrote this review 12 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Richard Russo is an excellent writer. I didn't think I'd enjoy this type of relationship novel, but the writing kept my interest. And he forces you to play attention to details like a mystery writer dropping clues - not a word of this long, complex story is wasted. The settings and family characters may be very different than yours, but this will make you think back and examine the relationships in your life. I look forward to Empire Falls and other works by Russo.”
s5618jim wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Growing up in a small town, I found myself drawn to the people with their tug of war between the "wanderlust" of the world outside their town and the settled dull life within it. It took my almost the entire book to decide whether I liked the book. As you can tell, I'm lukewarm even now. ”
naomi F wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Beautifully written. Great story.”
Deb F wrote this review Monday, October 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“A good read about small-town life, with realistic, complicated,nuanced characters. It definitely kept me interested.”
Bobbie O wrote this review Thursday, October 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“book group selection”
Mary C wrote this review Tuesday, September 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
