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glorifiedloveletters 's review for:
So Far Gone
by Jess Walter
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Admittedly, I tend to be a Jess Walter diehard, but I absolutely loved this. All his novels (that I've read; I'm missing the earliest two) are great, but this one has to be one of his best. Right up there with Beautiful Ruins and Citizen Vince.
I know, it helps that I lived in Spokane for 7 years, so all these places are quite familiar to me, including having a bunch of extremists next door in Idaho. They weren't as bold when I lived there in the '00s, but I have paid attention in the years since I've moved away, so I know about these assholes who show up at parades and other events trying to make their militia religion part of the fabric of life. Mostly, they are ridiculous and petrified of their own shadows, despite all the posturing.
But our main guy here, Rhys Kinnick, is a retired newspaperman, a real old school journalist who once knew the ins and outs of everything around him, but who has spent 7 years retreating to the woods after a family blowup, and life has changed considerably in his absence. When his grandkids show up with a note from their mother, needing someone to watch them, he's pulled back into civilization. Then the militia guys, friends of their father, try to kidnap the grandchildren.
Walter is very fair to the father, describing how a recovering addict might find themselves attracted to an insular community mixed with strict religion. He's not as "far gone" as some of his fellow men at "The Rampart," but he's also very intense and apt to believe wildass conspiracy theories. Hence the family dinner that led Kinnick to punch him in the face.
This all sounds very serious, but it's actually a very funny novel. I will not spoil the circumstances, but one of my favorite characters was Jeff, just a humble shrooms salesman who only briefly appears, but he's great. Like, someone adapt this into a limited series so we can see some more hijinks with Jeff.
Anyway! READ IT. It's so great. Truly. Among my faves this year, for sure.
I know, it helps that I lived in Spokane for 7 years, so all these places are quite familiar to me, including having a bunch of extremists next door in Idaho. They weren't as bold when I lived there in the '00s, but I have paid attention in the years since I've moved away, so I know about these assholes who show up at parades and other events trying to make their militia religion part of the fabric of life. Mostly, they are ridiculous and petrified of their own shadows, despite all the posturing.
But our main guy here, Rhys Kinnick, is a retired newspaperman, a real old school journalist who once knew the ins and outs of everything around him, but who has spent 7 years retreating to the woods after a family blowup, and life has changed considerably in his absence. When his grandkids show up with a note from their mother, needing someone to watch them, he's pulled back into civilization. Then the militia guys, friends of their father, try to kidnap the grandchildren.
Walter is very fair to the father, describing how a recovering addict might find themselves attracted to an insular community mixed with strict religion. He's not as "far gone" as some of his fellow men at "The Rampart," but he's also very intense and apt to believe wildass conspiracy theories. Hence the family dinner that led Kinnick to punch him in the face.
This all sounds very serious, but it's actually a very funny novel. I will not spoil the circumstances, but one of my favorite characters was Jeff, just a humble shrooms salesman who only briefly appears, but he's great. Like, someone adapt this into a limited series so we can see some more hijinks with Jeff.
Anyway! READ IT. It's so great. Truly. Among my faves this year, for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship