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scarletohhara's review against another edition
4.0
It took a long time to finish this book. The literature is good, the book moves pretty fast, the characters are all well etched and lovable, but I still took almost a month to finish this book. May be it is because I didn't want to finish it, leave the town of Mohawk, Ned's side as he eats his sandwich at The Elms, or wanted some more of Wussy talking to Sam's kid. Or may be because I wasn't ready to let go of Sam Hall himself, yet.
What a beautiful book this is, and I realized it only as I wiped my tears towards the end.
What a beautiful book this is, and I realized it only as I wiped my tears towards the end.
howattcarla's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this story, however I am not 100% sure what the story was about.
It wasn't a whodunit, although we did sorta find out the parental lineage and what happened to Hienz, but that wasn't really the story. We read about a complex father/son and mother/son relationship, that played out in a time when life was supposed to be simpler.
Overall, an enjoyable, uplifting read that was lyrical in quality and tone.
It wasn't a whodunit, although we did sorta find out the parental lineage and what happened to Hienz, but that wasn't really the story. We read about a complex father/son and mother/son relationship, that played out in a time when life was supposed to be simpler.
Overall, an enjoyable, uplifting read that was lyrical in quality and tone.
bahoulie's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very good read. I'd read his "Empire Falls," and just been depressed by it. That story was about losers in a depressing place. This book takes place in at least as sad and dilapidated a town as Empire Falls, but the people have a better outlook that makes the book a pleasure to read. Still not any kind of uplifting, but good writing and a good story that doesn't make you want to jump off a bridge.
ardaigle's review against another edition
Richard Russo is one of my favorite authors. His ability to take you on a meandering tale, and keep you engaged, is unparalleled. He is a true master storyteller and one of a kind. I read his later novels first but this, his second book, holds up against all the rest.
Though I was never a real fan of the series Russo's writing always reminds me of Seinfeld, the show about nothing. There are never any grand plot twists: his novels are about the simplicity of humans and the complications of trying to make your way.
This is a story about the stagnancy of living in a blue collar town, and the chance, or lack thereof, to break out of the mold and shadow of your parents. Ned Hall is the protagonist who is coming of age as he is raised by his neurotic and troubled mother and his father, the ne'er do well husband she is estranged from. We see Ned throughout his fathers entire life and watch as he navigates through life like an unmoored and unmanned ship: lethargically without any real direction.
As with all of Russo's novels, this one is filled with a rich tapestry of characters. It is funny, poignant, and a true joy to read.
Though I was never a real fan of the series Russo's writing always reminds me of Seinfeld, the show about nothing. There are never any grand plot twists: his novels are about the simplicity of humans and the complications of trying to make your way.
This is a story about the stagnancy of living in a blue collar town, and the chance, or lack thereof, to break out of the mold and shadow of your parents. Ned Hall is the protagonist who is coming of age as he is raised by his neurotic and troubled mother and his father, the ne'er do well husband she is estranged from. We see Ned throughout his fathers entire life and watch as he navigates through life like an unmoored and unmanned ship: lethargically without any real direction.
As with all of Russo's novels, this one is filled with a rich tapestry of characters. It is funny, poignant, and a true joy to read.
jjohns's review against another edition
4.0
does richard russo write the same book over and over? yes
will i keep reading them? yeah
will i keep reading them? yeah
marmoset737's review against another edition
5.0
For some reason this took about 20-30 pages for me to get into - but once I did, this book quickly came my second favorite (behind Nobody's Fool) of his work.
marilynsaul's review against another edition
3.0
I needed a book to savor after reading Bear and his Daughter, followed by a book of short murder mysteries (all of which were mediocre and unsatisfying, despite the celebrity of many of its authors), and I chose the right book! Russo is a fabulous story teller and I shall soon recline and read, as is fitting for this Christmas day.
harbo101's review against another edition
4.0
When reading Russo, I expect to come across a fine cast of well-developed, quirky characters, and The Risk Pool certainly met my expectations. I was so appalled by Sam Hall, yet wanted to sit down with him and have a few drinks. Would have given a five star rating, but I found the first half difficult to get through.
ecari's review against another edition
4.0
Richard Russo is great. I've now read three of his novels and really enjoyed all of them. The characters stand out from the page, and I get lost so easily in the narrative. This book is a coming-of-age and beyond story about a boy/young man in an upstate New York town with two separated parents who are neglectful yet still loving in their own ways. Most interesting is watching how their relationships with their son shapes who he becomes. The focus is clearly on the father-son relationship, and the father in this story defines the word "character" as a descriptor for an individual. Relating the plot is not the point here, although it certainly pulled me along. More so, is the pleasure of spending time with these people, learning to know and to love them, despite some of their despicable, but oh so human, characteristics.