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samging's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
geoffreylittle's review against another edition
4.0
The book is amazing in its exploration and dramatization of what might be called ‘small’ lives. Heartbreaking and deeply affecting, I will not soon forget the characters here.
cami19's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
rmarcin's review against another edition
4.0
This is a heartbreaking story of a young man, Horace, who works for Mr. and Mrs. Reese who are ranchers. However, Horace dreams of being a championship boxer. The Reeses beg him to stay but he wants to pursue his dream.
Western themed novels, and boxing isn’t my thing, but this story draws you in. You ache for the characters and the poor decisions they make, and the feeling of hopelessness comes through.
Western themed novels, and boxing isn’t my thing, but this story draws you in. You ache for the characters and the poor decisions they make, and the feeling of hopelessness comes through.
citizen_noir's review against another edition
4.0
This may just be the first book I've ever read that comes with an original soundtrack. A pretty good one, too. The author of DON'T SKIP OUT ON ME is Willy Vlautin, a singer and songwriter with the band Richmond Fontaine and a member of the band The Delines. I found this book as I find so many these days, on the "New Arrivals" shelf at DC Public Library. I'm not sure why I ended up picking up the book - some combination of a nice cover and a good first few lines - but I'm happy I did, because this is a poignant story that I think is going to stick with me.
Horace Hopper is a young, hardworking, half-Paiute, half-Irish cowboy on a sheep ranch in Nevada. The owners of the ranch, Mr. and Mrs. Reese, love Horace and have taken him in like a son. They even intend to leave the ranch to him after they die. However, Horace feels as though he doesn't belong on the ranch and dreams of making it as a professional boxer. To become a champion, Horace thinks he must change not just how he lives and eats and trains, but also who he is. He reinvents himself as a scrappy Mexican fighter, Hector Hildago, and moves to Tucson, Arizona to begin training for his new life.
Vlautin has written several books already and after reading this one, I may look some of them up. He is a deceptively simple writer, with clean, clear prose and nice way of describing things. If I was teaching a writing course, I'd use him as an example of someone who shows, and doesn't just tell. An example of this is early on, when we first begin to meet Horace, and we see how kindly he treats the working dogs on the ranch, stopping to cut out their burrs, check their feet for cuts, and then tie a new tick collar on their necks. You can also tell that Vlautin cares deeply about his characters - these are real people to him, real enough that he imagines them in prose and also in a series of haunting songs that he wrote while writing the book.
Perhaps the thing I love most about this book is the time and care given to describing the lives of common people. So often fiction depicts larger than life characters. It's refreshing to read a book that gives as much attention and respect to the lives of Horace and Mr. and Mrs. Reese. As I said, I think this story will stick with me.
Horace Hopper is a young, hardworking, half-Paiute, half-Irish cowboy on a sheep ranch in Nevada. The owners of the ranch, Mr. and Mrs. Reese, love Horace and have taken him in like a son. They even intend to leave the ranch to him after they die. However, Horace feels as though he doesn't belong on the ranch and dreams of making it as a professional boxer. To become a champion, Horace thinks he must change not just how he lives and eats and trains, but also who he is. He reinvents himself as a scrappy Mexican fighter, Hector Hildago, and moves to Tucson, Arizona to begin training for his new life.
Vlautin has written several books already and after reading this one, I may look some of them up. He is a deceptively simple writer, with clean, clear prose and nice way of describing things. If I was teaching a writing course, I'd use him as an example of someone who shows, and doesn't just tell. An example of this is early on, when we first begin to meet Horace, and we see how kindly he treats the working dogs on the ranch, stopping to cut out their burrs, check their feet for cuts, and then tie a new tick collar on their necks. You can also tell that Vlautin cares deeply about his characters - these are real people to him, real enough that he imagines them in prose and also in a series of haunting songs that he wrote while writing the book.
Perhaps the thing I love most about this book is the time and care given to describing the lives of common people. So often fiction depicts larger than life characters. It's refreshing to read a book that gives as much attention and respect to the lives of Horace and Mr. and Mrs. Reese. As I said, I think this story will stick with me.
bibliobethica's review against another edition
5.0
Vlautin transports his readers to a ranch in Nevada where young Horace makes some life choices while the reader is completely engrossed and loving Horace. The connection to the characters is due to the amazing writing. It's a rare novel that can completely grip me where I forget I'm reading a novel. His descriptions are equally unforgettable. A novel I will recommend to many. As for the ending, it was completely unexpected and I like that in a novel.
lcceaton's review against another edition
5.0
They made a movie out of another of Willy Vlautin's books, Lean On Pete, but I've yet to get my hands on the book. In the meantime, I read Vlautin's more recent book, Don't Skip Out on Me. This guy is so talented he even wrote a soundtrack for the book. Yes, the book. Read it in a happy mood, it will rip your heart out.
wsmythe19's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I wish Vlautin would stop breaking my heart. Or at least offering up such heartbreaking characters. This book is a fine addition to his myriad of broken heroes and tragic figures: all champions. Horace Hopper, aka Hector Hidalgo, may be the best boxer I’ve read in ages. A true winner in my book.
rwidiani's review against another edition
4.0
I was at first skeptical when I had to read this book for the book club. It turned out to be a great book. Vlautin is such a great storyteller! He’s the kind of writer I wish I could be.
What a sad, heartbreaking story. How neglected childhood does to a person, how friendship and love would lead people to searching for the one they love.
I can’t wait to read his other books.
What a sad, heartbreaking story. How neglected childhood does to a person, how friendship and love would lead people to searching for the one they love.
I can’t wait to read his other books.