A review by tom_in_london
Let Me Be Frank with You by Richard Ford

5.0

All the way through the Bascombe Trilogy (which I greatly enjoyed) I was constantly thinking that Frank Bascombe isn't exactly likeable, mainly because of his racism, directed against anyone who isn't white. I rationalised this to myself by thinking "this isn't Richard Ford speaking. This is his creation, Frank Bascombe, who isn't a particularly nice guy, not to anyone, even on a good day". But when I moved on from the Trilogy to "Let me be Frank...." and arrived at page 69 of my paperback edition, I stopped in my tracks when I read Frank's thoughts about an unexpected visitor turning up on his doorstep: "Black people bear a heavy burden trying to be normal. It's no wonder they hate us. I'd hate us, too." I may give up on Richard Ford right there. I can't rationalise Frank Bascombe's racism any more. What a shame that a very great American novelist remains so completely out of step with reality. The reality that Bascombe just can't deal with. An inability to face facts and embrace them which, I fear, may in fact be RIchard Ford's and not really Bascombe's at all. Someone please tell me I'm wrong, and why.