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A review by wordcommando
Itsenäisyyspäivä by Richard Ford
5.0
Ford's second Bascombe book. A lot of brilliance. Definitely a career high point and worthy of the Pulitzer it won. The Baseball HOF scene is devastating. Quite a snapshot into late 80's America, the acme of The New Materialism. Ford takes the big swing at a number of issues including race relations and while today's audience will cringe at all the references to "Negro" and "Colored," the first-person narrator Frank Bascombe feels real. Much to admire here, occasionally drags--but then again this is a 450-page novel. Some humorous turns. Makes me want to finish the trilogy (I'd already read this train's caboose, Let Me Be Frank, his collection of FB short stories--though I'm sure I'll revisit it now). To know Frank, I think, is to know a big part of Ford.
One thing at which I sort of marvel is Ford's way of describing parenthood. Very unsentimental. Although... Bascombe's big Achilles heel is his inability to fully connect. He keeps everyone at a remove--you know, like a childless author. Unapologetically selfish. I'm not sure Ford could write a character like Bascombe if he'd experienced actual fatherhood. Which makes a strong case for writing outside of one's familiar zone. I don't think it disqualifies Ford from writing about parenthood--he brings something to the table--fearlessness?--an experienced father could not. Not dissimilar to seeing/inhabiting a white character through the eyes of a person of color. There's a real debate going on about this right now. I will only say this: writers love to IMAGINE. We need to hear all voices and writing can be an exercise in empathy.
One thing at which I sort of marvel is Ford's way of describing parenthood. Very unsentimental. Although... Bascombe's big Achilles heel is his inability to fully connect. He keeps everyone at a remove--you know, like a childless author. Unapologetically selfish. I'm not sure Ford could write a character like Bascombe if he'd experienced actual fatherhood. Which makes a strong case for writing outside of one's familiar zone. I don't think it disqualifies Ford from writing about parenthood--he brings something to the table--fearlessness?--an experienced father could not. Not dissimilar to seeing/inhabiting a white character through the eyes of a person of color. There's a real debate going on about this right now. I will only say this: writers love to IMAGINE. We need to hear all voices and writing can be an exercise in empathy.