You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Early Ann Patchett is proving to be very hit-or-miss for me. The opening chapter with the statue was poignant, but much of the rest of the book left me feeling unconvinced and bored -- I didn't find the characters or their actions all that believable, and the ending just didn't strike right.
It was good, but not one of my favorite Ann Patchett novels. I never felt all that close to the characters.
what i really wanted to read was state of wonder, but my local library branch had this so i thought why not.
patchett is clearly a skilled writer - there's some poetry in motion and chunks of writing that really made the book feel worthwhile - and i couldn't help but like the quirky kenya... but overall... this book is a bit too in your face let's deal with complicated racial issues. and in the end doesn't really deal with the complexity of them at all. the relationships feel underdeveloped and the plot line is predictable.
i think i do still want to read state of wonder, and i'm not sorry i read this, but it's not a memorable or highly suggested book. i think there's definitely a demographic that would think they were expanding their horizons and oh aren't these characters so different from stereotypes.... but really the book often feels cliche rather than true.
patchett is clearly a skilled writer - there's some poetry in motion and chunks of writing that really made the book feel worthwhile - and i couldn't help but like the quirky kenya... but overall... this book is a bit too in your face let's deal with complicated racial issues. and in the end doesn't really deal with the complexity of them at all. the relationships feel underdeveloped and the plot line is predictable.
i think i do still want to read state of wonder, and i'm not sorry i read this, but it's not a memorable or highly suggested book. i think there's definitely a demographic that would think they were expanding their horizons and oh aren't these characters so different from stereotypes.... but really the book often feels cliche rather than true.
I always love Ann Patchett's books. She has a way of drawing you into the story and to the characters right from the first pages. The premise of the story was very interesting. Despite the strong paternal figure and most of the characters being male, the book was about mothers. I loved this book. I was immediately charmed by Kenya - how could I not be?. I loved the way the boys were so different but loved and respected each other. I thought Bernard did the best he could for all he loved. I really loved this book.
3.5 stars
I’m reading through Ann Patchett’s backlist and today I finished my eighth book of her collection, Run, released in 2007.
Aside from the prologue and epilogue, the entire novel takes place over a single night during a snowstorm in Boston when the lives of two families are forever changed following a car accident.
This is not my favorite by Patchett, but I did enjoy this story of family, race and fate.
I’m reading through Ann Patchett’s backlist and today I finished my eighth book of her collection, Run, released in 2007.
Aside from the prologue and epilogue, the entire novel takes place over a single night during a snowstorm in Boston when the lives of two families are forever changed following a car accident.
This is not my favorite by Patchett, but I did enjoy this story of family, race and fate.
Very quick enjoyable read...a bit TV-movie-ish but I liked it.
I think that Ann Patchett is my new favorite author. I loved, loved, loved this book, the story of an Irish, Catholic, Boston family. The father is the mayor, the mother dies young. There are three sons, the youngest two are adopted black siblings. The story, which mostly takes place in 24 hours, changes the lives of Doyle, the father, and his three sons. Again, Patchett leaves so much unsaid, but that is part of the beauty of the story and her writing. Maybe her stories, which seem so very different from my life, do contain a lot that I can relate to. Patchett’s website says that “…Run is ultimately a novel about secrets, duty, responsibility, and the lengths we will go to protect our children.”
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
It wasn't as enjoyable as Bel Canto, her first book, but it is worth reading. I wish she had spent just a little more time polishing it, especially the first half , it drags and the characters aren't solid. I really like the concept she plays with, that the chronology of events in our lives is complicated and cannot be undone. If you took away one bad action from your past, would it negatively effect the long term positive result of your life?
