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kmrose's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good book, very nostalgic. I didn't like the main character, but the story made up for it. It made me think about my own relationships, which is always a good thing in a book.
raykluender's review against another edition
4.0
Russo is one of those warm-hug writers for me with his flawed and lovable small-town characters and profound humanism.
I think this was clearly the worst of the six of his books I've read (would recommend Straight Man / Empire Falls / Nobody's Fool first) but still a delightful and familiar set of characters and tone and voice to sink into. I'm tempted to start another one.
I think this was clearly the worst of the six of his books I've read (would recommend Straight Man / Empire Falls / Nobody's Fool first) but still a delightful and familiar set of characters and tone and voice to sink into. I'm tempted to start another one.
daybreak1012's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this more but, good grief, was this a slow book that never seemed to know where it wanted to go. Or maybe it didn't, but I just couldn't make myself care. It wasn't unreadable. It was mostly just kind of dull, except for a few, brief moments. I'll probably skip reading more Richard Russo.
quietjenn's review against another edition
4.0
i've long said that richard russo was one of my favorite living novelists and while i don't think this lives up to his most brilliant works, it's solid and enjoyable and not nearly as bloated as "bridge of sighs." 3 1/2 stars really, but look how nice and generous i'm feeling tonight! anyway, it's really evocative and has some rather lovely moments and was quite satisfying overall.
dydemus's review against another edition
3.0
Like Empire Falls, I truly enjoyed reading Russo's book. He reminds me why I like to read fiction. I admire his talent for writing about the messiness of humanity in what seems a mundane life.
carrolk3's review against another edition
3.0
I was hoping for more from this book. There were many parts I really enjoyed - some good humor and interesting characters and situations - but at times I thought it dragged with all the self-examination. I can see why Jack's wife finally got impatient with him and moved on; I probably would have also. At some point you need to accept that indeed you are a product of your upbringing but you are now your own person and dwelling on your parents' idiosyncrasies is kind of a waste of time. Guess I don't get in to all that introspection at this time of my life...
micki1961's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favorite writers. Story about a screenwriter turned college professor whose life transitions from a solid marriage to one of singlehood within a year and his return to Cape Cod to find himself.
nferre's review against another edition
2.0
It was OK. 2 stars. I can't much say I liked it as I found the main characters too cynical, too much of a debbie downer for the whole entire book. Redeeming factor: the last paragraph.