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A review by emjay2021
Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo
5.0
Wow. This book took forever to read, but for some reason I didn't mind the meandering. I think it's because the characters are so well drawn and appealing despite their flaws. Sully and Beryl, the two main characters, were so well written that I almost felt like I was reading about real people. I even sort of missed them when I finished the book.
Sully is a feckless but likeable 60 year old who has to keep working manual labour jobs despite a bad knee, because the state won't grant him disability support. He lives on the top floor of his landlady Beryl's house. Beryl is a sharp witted 80 year old who is coping with her own physical decline. Despite their differences, Sully and Beryl are genuinely fond of each other. There's a whole cast of other characters who are a part of their lives in this small town and they are an important part of the fabric of the story.
I liked the depiction of a strong community where people look out for one other even though they might be exasperated with each other. And because they're so flawed, there's plenty to be exasperated about.
This is just as good as Straight Man, the other Richard Russo book I've read. Actually, I think I liked Nobody's Fool just a tiny bit more.
Sully is a feckless but likeable 60 year old who has to keep working manual labour jobs despite a bad knee, because the state won't grant him disability support. He lives on the top floor of his landlady Beryl's house. Beryl is a sharp witted 80 year old who is coping with her own physical decline. Despite their differences, Sully and Beryl are genuinely fond of each other. There's a whole cast of other characters who are a part of their lives in this small town and they are an important part of the fabric of the story.
I liked the depiction of a strong community where people look out for one other even though they might be exasperated with each other. And because they're so flawed, there's plenty to be exasperated about.
This is just as good as Straight Man, the other Richard Russo book I've read. Actually, I think I liked Nobody's Fool just a tiny bit more.