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melindavan's review against another edition
1.0
I guess you need to be over 60 to appreciate this book? I have to admit I just don't get it. It's rambling, pointless and I cared nothing about any of the characters. They are a bunch of miserable people leading miserable lives and doing nothing to improve them. I'm just not into the "let's wallow in life's misery and call it intellectual" kind of story. I have to admit I didn't even finish it. I was flat out bored.
I saw many reviews that claimed humor was a large part of this book. I didn't find any humor in it anywhere. If that's humor, just shoot me now.
To quote someone else's review, I found this a "rambling, stream-of-consciousness narrative overripe with literary pretense."
I saw many reviews that claimed humor was a large part of this book. I didn't find any humor in it anywhere. If that's humor, just shoot me now.
To quote someone else's review, I found this a "rambling, stream-of-consciousness narrative overripe with literary pretense."
cbendixe's review against another edition
2.0
While this is definitely not as engrossing as his other novels, it still provides an interesting look at the issue of how we humans struggle with our parents: their love for us, their weaknesses, their relationship with each other, and so much more. However, I kept feeling there was something missing, and I haven't quite put my finger on it yet. The role of setting, always vital in Russo's novels, is a major character here; I wonder if the missing item I felt as I was reading was perhaps the identification with the black holes and bright moments of small town life (of which Russo usually writes)?
laurenrdsteis's review against another edition
3.0
If you want an entertaining "beach read" than this is a 4 star book and I would recommend it to you. I wouldn't necessarily say it was a "fun" beach read because it elicited more of a somber reaction from me, but I was intrigued by the characters and it was a short read. If you're looking for a book that is incredibly well written and has a solid plot, it leans more towards a 2 star. That being said, I enjoyed it personally and gave it a solid middle-of-the-road 3 star review.
jengirlreads's review against another edition
3.0
I love Richard Russo, but this was my least favorite of his of all that I've read. The characters aren't rich like I've come to expect with Russo and the story was thin, but the writing is still quality. A quick read.
adambwriter's review against another edition
4.0
Read the review:
http://roofbeamreader.com/2012/12/20/review-that-old-cape-magic-by-richard-russo/
http://roofbeamreader.com/2012/12/20/review-that-old-cape-magic-by-richard-russo/
sandin954's review against another edition
4.0
Am a big Russo fan and enjoyed this shorter and lighter work.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
4.0
While I haven't read tons by Russo, I definitely will count on any of his books to engage me. He is able to make small moments so important. I marvel at how the thread unravels. This deals with a couple attending two different weddings. They have been married for over thirty years. But this is Russo, so you know there's way more going on here. Another great story from a gifted writer.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
I seem to be establishing a pattern - reading Russo on my vacation. Last year I read Straight Man. This may not be a good thing - I feel like there are a lot of similarities between these two books.
However, I am not sorry I read That Old Cape Magic. Russo writes well about middle aged men who have been married for 30 plus years. He also does a good job with those men's families - especially their wives.
Part of me wishes, however, that his characters' lives did not look so much like my own. I appreciate the humor, but it might cut too close to the bone. What would I do if my husband started down the path that Jack Griffin heads down in this book?
However, I am not sorry I read That Old Cape Magic. Russo writes well about middle aged men who have been married for 30 plus years. He also does a good job with those men's families - especially their wives.
Part of me wishes, however, that his characters' lives did not look so much like my own. I appreciate the humor, but it might cut too close to the bone. What would I do if my husband started down the path that Jack Griffin heads down in this book?
k_cavacini's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this novel; like all of the other Richard Russo novels I've read the writing is excellent and the characters are well-developed.
wsk56's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable character driven novel about a man and his separation from his wife, his parents (both alive and dead), two marriages, his wife's crazy family and the alure of Cape Cod in summer. While I did enjoy reading this book, it wasn't my favorite Richard Russo novel. Still, it contained some quite memorable moments.