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mamasreadingnow's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed reading this book but it didn't blow my mind.
heidihaverkamp's review against another edition
3.0
In a book that reminded me of the world of Mad Men, a journalist looks back and tries to uncover the circumstances of his father's death. His father was a newspaper man in 1960s Chicago, originally from small town Nebraska, and died one night out in the city when the author was a child. He goes back to talk to his dad's old cronies, high school classmates, and family members, as well as knocking on doors at the Cook County Coroner and the old hospital where his dad was taken. He meets all kinds of characters, but most striking to me was the world he evokes - the height of newspapers' power and influence, the fast and high-pressured world of its reporters and editors, and the divide between men and women in that time.
shesnotthere's review against another edition
2.0
I was intrigued by the premise of this book, but by the end of it, it just felt creepy & extremely self-absorbed. If I had found out that my father had died in the arms of his mistress I seriously doubt I would ever tell any of my loved ones. What's the point, besides breaking open old wounds? Of course Mr. Hainey had to tell his brother & his mom about the circumstances surrounding his father's death, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to publish this book, but it almost seems like he's profiting on his dad's past digressions. The worst parts of this memoir were Mr. Hainey's fictional scenarios of his father's affair. It just seemed voyeuristic & disturbing. As far as the writing style goes, the book jumped around quite a bit from the past to the present and back, but it flowed easy. I think Mr. Hainey is a decent author, but this book just wasn't my thing.
lisawhelpley's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent writing, and editing. I highly recommend this book.
gleefulreader's review against another edition
4.0
This (true) story - of Michael Hainey looking for answers surrounding his father's death - isn't all that suspenseful, although I don't believe that as the intention. Instead it is a quiet meditation on the secrets that families and friends keep, the many words and stories that go unspoken, and how family history is written. Although occasionally repetitive, the prose ticks along nicely.
sarahbethbrown's review against another edition
4.0
this is a lovely book about learning about your parents as humans. give this to the men in your life. great portrait of journalists, chicago, families.
kategci's review against another edition
4.0
I saw the author on Morning Joe discussing this book and I had to read it. His father died at the age of 35 or 36, when the author was only 6 and it was never talked about in his house. Bob Hainey was a Chicago newspaperman and had died "after visiting friends." His son, Michael Hainey of course felt his loss acutely and as had grown up. He wondered who these friends were and what had happened to his father that night. His search for the truth is relentless, despite dead ends and painful revelations. It is a true page turner and so well written. I could relate to the great silences in Hainey's life, especially with his mother. This is such a great memoir of time and place, Chicago in the 50s and 60s, but so reminiscent of other cities in that era.
asiefke's review against another edition
5.0
When I started this book, I read the first few parts and decided I we not going to read it. I had received this book from a friend. This book sat on my dresser for about 4 weeks, nagging at me to read it. I suddenly realized that I had to finish this book to find out more about the journey Michael Hainey takes I search of his father, his family, and ultimately himself.
This is non-fiction. So there will be no over the top plots or super powers. This is a story about people, the stories they tell and the stories they don't. I'm so glad I finished it.
This is non-fiction. So there will be no over the top plots or super powers. This is a story about people, the stories they tell and the stories they don't. I'm so glad I finished it.
lpbruni's review against another edition
4.0
A hauntingly beautiful journey to find the truth about his fathers untimely death, one that ended with finding more that the author could not have thought possible.