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niraghae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
drron's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wandering_turtle's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
katel1970's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it, but certain aspects seem really dated to me. But the novel is nearly 30 years old.
beq3's review against another edition
4.0
A book about the mild desperation of living.
Very humorous with sharp observations on the determination of people to be unhappy and those quiet thoughts you never voice out loud. I felt some considerable sympathy for Ralph who constantly wonders why people just can't get along. A lack of free will perhaps? How much does Sully really control of his life? For a man who appears to want to leave no ripples, he leaves a very wide wake.
This is not twee nor sentimental for dying traditions of an idealized past. There's a sense of borrowed time, and no great surprise in the locals when it runs out. If you like Anne Tyler, John Updike, I suspect you'll get along just fine with Richard Russo too.
I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it.
Very humorous with sharp observations on the determination of people to be unhappy and those quiet thoughts you never voice out loud. I felt some considerable sympathy for Ralph who constantly wonders why people just can't get along. A lack of free will perhaps? How much does Sully really control of his life? For a man who appears to want to leave no ripples, he leaves a very wide wake.
This is not twee nor sentimental for dying traditions of an idealized past. There's a sense of borrowed time, and no great surprise in the locals when it runs out. If you like Anne Tyler, John Updike, I suspect you'll get along just fine with Richard Russo too.
I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it.
ginny17's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy of this book via a goodreads giveaway.
bookysue's review against another edition
4.0
Not much in the way of action, but that’s what I wanted this time around. He’s a master at writing realistic, round characters, at least when it comes to small town white men.
janemylechreest's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0