Helpful Score: 13
I have read all of Ann Patchett's books except What Next. This latest addition to her body of writing does not disappoint. It's a story of love and family, and also about politics, if you believe the information at the back of the book. She has an amazing gift for developing characters and also for telling a story that compels the reader to finish the book, all too soon.
Helpful Score: 10
After the lyrical engaging prose and intriguing character development of Bel Canto, I was really looking forward to another Patchett read. However, I found this to be somewhat of a dissapointment, atleast in terms of my expectations. Though I have PLENTY to say about Bel Canto's stand-out characteristics, the only thing about this book stood out as extraordinary was the characterization of Sullivan, who I found to be a strong and unique portrait of a man whose future is 'sullied' by an unexamined painful past he can neither confront nor truly forget. The rest of the book was full of half-hearted characterizations, relationships and ties that were intriguing yet not complete in their examinations, and a narrative that relied ENTIRELY too heavily on a running allegorical theme of racial and family politics that was over-done and under-effective. Patchett does have an easy writing style that makes her work enjoyable to read, but that style combined with the project she made of her racially significant allusions and allegories made a lot of the moments meant to be highly intense emotionally come across as hoaky and overdone.
I remain a Patchett fan, but this one will not be a "keeper" on my shelf.
I remain a Patchett fan, but this one will not be a "keeper" on my shelf.
Helpful Score: 6
like all of patchett's lovely books... interesting story line... wonderful character development... great dialogue... beautiful poetic writing... this is a one or two sitting reading (if you can put it down)... now we must wait for her next one... sigh...
Helpful Score: 4
We read this book for our Book Club Discussion Group. Almost everyone enjoyed it, but all of us felt it needed some expansion on parts of the story line and character development. We felt there were too many partially answered ?s. I recommend it, but would like to see the author take it more in-depth.
Helpful Score: 3
After all the praise for Bel Canto I was excited to read this, my first book by Ann Patchett, and I was sadly disappointed. It started out great, a story about a racially mixed Irish-Catholic Bostonian family brought together by an accident one snowy night, the Doyle family. There is Bernadette with her virgin Mary statue -the spitting image of her with red hair, pale skin, and blue eys- passed down from mother to daughter for generations; Doyle, former Mayor of Boston; Sullivan, first born son, guilt-ridden over the death of his girlfriend; Uncle Father Sullivan; two adopted black sons, Tip, smart, lover of Ichthyology, and Teddy, sweet, devout Catholic; and Tennessee -like the state- and Kenya -like the country- Moser. I was captured by the end of the first chapter, devoured every word, sentence, but then my interest dwindled and I began to skim through to the end, much like the story skimmed through each and every character, failing to give any depth to any one of them. This could have been a great novel had the author further explored the issues of race, adoption, religion, etc. While plenty of individual thoughts were shared, the Doyle family seemed disconnected. Their relationships were poorly developed, unbelievable. The entire novel spans one night and day, not enough time to convince me of their bond. I do hope Bel Canto is better than this!
Helpful Score: 2
This fifth novel by the author of the much-admired Bel Canto is engaging, surprising, provocative and moving. Its force is diminished somewhat by a couple of extended passages in which Ann Patchett resorts to conversation rather than action to fill in some of her plot's holes, but these are minor annoyances in what is otherwise a thoroughly intelligent book, an intimate domestic drama that nonetheless deals with big issues touching us all: religion, race, class, politics and, above all else, family.
Helpful Score: 2
Loved the setting in my hometown, Boston. Quick, light read.
Helpful Score: 2
We read this book as a book club. Everyone enjoyed it! It's a fairly quick read with lots of interesting characters. Lots to think about and discuss!
Helpful Score: 2
Not as great as I hoped. It was very drawn out, I felt like it took forever to get to the end of this book!
Helpful Score: 2
This was a good book. I wish it got more into how the different socio-economics played a role in the relationships that developed...but overall it was enjoyable.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a beautiful story of love, family, and the depth of how "connected" we all are.....no matter how different we are from one another. LOVED it!
Helpful Score: 1
Nice story line. Predictable but a fun read.
Helpful Score: 1
Several notches above the usual mass-market potboiler.
The characters are drawn with a realism and complexity that few authors can manage let alone attempt. We really get to love the little girl, Kenya. We love Doyle and Tip and Sullivan, even though they have not always acted admirably.
The plot involves a mother who watches the boys she put up for adoption from afar -- not announcing herself, but just making sure that they are treated well. And "afar" may not be far enough for the adoptive family's comfort -- but then otherwise she would not have been in place to push one of them out of the way of an oncoming vehicle.
This accident sets up a chain of events in which her identity is revealed and her daughter (Kenya) meets the boys mentioned above. The story mostly covers only a couple days, but covered in such an emotional depth that you are not bored at all. A closing chapter covers the graduation of one of the boys from medical school after a gap of a few years.
An amazing novel and easy to recommend.
The characters are drawn with a realism and complexity that few authors can manage let alone attempt. We really get to love the little girl, Kenya. We love Doyle and Tip and Sullivan, even though they have not always acted admirably.
The plot involves a mother who watches the boys she put up for adoption from afar -- not announcing herself, but just making sure that they are treated well. And "afar" may not be far enough for the adoptive family's comfort -- but then otherwise she would not have been in place to push one of them out of the way of an oncoming vehicle.
This accident sets up a chain of events in which her identity is revealed and her daughter (Kenya) meets the boys mentioned above. The story mostly covers only a couple days, but covered in such an emotional depth that you are not bored at all. A closing chapter covers the graduation of one of the boys from medical school after a gap of a few years.
An amazing novel and easy to recommend.
Helpful Score: 1
About 2 boys, raised by their father - a bit of politics, religion, race and character study - not as good as Bel Canto, but she is a good writer
Helpful Score: 1
A very interesting story about what it means to be "family", about what part chance plays in our lives, our decisions, our loyalties. Well written, though slow moving at times, the story comes together in the end leaving you surprised and surprisingly pleased! If things do tend to turn out the way they are meant to be, as people so often say, then this is a perfect example of that statement. Though our lives usually don't turn out exactly as we envisioned, looking back later, we can say "I wouldn't change a thing..."
Helpful Score: 1
very good read
Helpful Score: 1
The best word I can think of to describe this fast, easy, emotional read is 'sweet'. More a novella than a novel, this book tells the story in an easy style of an adoptive family's almost accidental collision with the birth mother of the adopted sons. It is humorous and skims across the top of what must be gut-wrenching emotional issues for those who find themselves in similar situations. I enjoyed the read, but was left feeling like nothing had really been either explored in depth, or resolved by the characters in the book.
Helpful Score: 1
Pretty disappointed in this book, though I enjoyed Bel Canto. It was just too much to believe, and very confusing.
Helpful Score: 1
This would be a good book to save for a stretch of very cold weather, leaving a person happily housebound with a GOOD book. this is definitely a page turner, and I was sorry to have it end. I like this author; her approach to characters and plot lines.
Helpful Score: 1
Run is a disappointment in comparison to Bel Canto. It feels much too contrived.
Helpful Score: 1
Great characters and interesting, well written story.
We read this book for our Book Club Discussion Group. Almost everyone enjoyed it, but all of us felt it needed some expansion on parts of the story line and character development. We felt there were too many partially answered ?s. I recommend it, but would like to see the author take it more in-depth.
interesting story that takes place over 24 hour period. enjoyable, easy read.
The collision of two families from opposite sides of the track with an unexpected connections explores the meaning of family. Well drawn characters.
Really an excellent book. I finished reading it two nights ago and the characters still are with me. Ann Patchett is a wonderful writer. Her best book (of what I've read so far) is Bel Canto. Truly a must read if you enjoy spectacular writing.
This is yet another wonderful book by Ann Patchett. I loved her characters and how clearly they were delineated. It brings up many modern issues, but all of them are told and resolved within a fascinating family.
I have never read this, bought it because I thought I would read it.
Plot is to do with interracial adoption, familial allegiances and rivalries, and Boston's complex political and racial history.
My rating is based on what I read about it on Wikipedia.
Plot is to do with interracial adoption, familial allegiances and rivalries, and Boston's complex political and racial history.
My rating is based on what I read about it on Wikipedia.
An excellent, absorbing tale. Wonderfully drawn, interesting characters. Highly recommended
This book was good but not great. Actually took me awhile to get into the storyline.
Still enjoyable and loved the sad but also happy ending.
Still enjoyable and loved the sad but also happy ending.
Thoroughly enjoyed page turner definitely couldn't put it down.
This was a most amazing book. Beautifully written, wonderful characters that were so incredibly well defined, a unique story line, it had everything. I highly recommend this book.
