Wonderful, masterful and wholly convincing

Wow, this book was absolutely wonderful! It's long, and so it took me an hour or so to get into it, but once it took hold it drew me right in, and by the time I started on the third part I was already regretting the fact that it was eventually going to end.

I've not read any of Richard Russo's books before, but I was blown away by his ability to create entirely sympathetic characters that I soon found myself caring about deeply. The dialogue sparkles, and I can't imagine a better reader for this particular title than Ron McLarty (whom I'd also not encountered before).

I've listened to a lot of books from Audible over the last few years, but this (along with Ender's Game) is right up there with the best I've ever heard. I've already downloaded 2 more of Richard Russo's books, and I hope they'll provide more of the same.

When this recording ended I felt almost bereaved, and that's a feeling I don't often experience at the end of a book these days. Richard Russo is a master of transforming the imagined minutiae of small-town life into something that takes you by the heart and simply doesn't let go. If you enjoy taking a peep into how other people live then rush over to the downloads page and grab it right now.

13 people found this helpful

A wonderful, charming, book..

I downloaded this one with trepidation, as the description was so far removed from what I would normally buy. But I decided - take a chance, it's really long, so excellent value! I am SO pleased I did. The story does not have a plot per se, but the characterisation and dialogue are just wonderful. I feel like I know the protagonist and his circle of acquaintances intimately, and they are all beautifully drawn. Thoroughly recommended.

7 people found this helpful

A Great American Novel

I am feeling slightly bereft because I have just finished listening to one of the best books I have ever come across. Read about the book on Amazon and Goodreads and you will find similar rave reviews. Richard Russo appears to be the best author most people have never heard of. Whilst raving about this book to my friends, many people have asked me what it is about. But if I told them it concerned a few days in the life of a 60 year old misery-guts with a bad leg and that there wasn't a great deal of action then I wouldn't be selling it very well. But this would be missing out that the book also is both highly entertaining and staggeringly good at portraying life, ageing, family dynamics, community, the clumsiness of men, friendship, lust and love.

The writing is so deftly simple but wise - it is a joy to read and every few lines you come across a wry observation or profound reflection. You get to know a large cast of small town characters and although they are all flawed and quirky, you get to like them all and care about what happens to them. It is deeply compassionate and brilliantly funny. I found myself exploding with uncontrollable belly-laughs on a number of occasions. I also felt quite tearful at times. It's a huge book - over 24 hours long in audio format. My only regret is that it wasn't twice as long. Now I don't know what to do with myself because I am afraid that the next few books I read will inevitably be disappointing. My only antidote to this may be to read another Russo book!!

3 people found this helpful

Sheer delight

What about Ron McLarty’s performance did you like?

Absolutely excellent reading. The dialogue is perfect. His ability to put multidimensional expression into a single utterance such as "ok" is a pleasure to witness.

Any additional comments?

If you don't know Richard Russo novels you have a treat ahead of you. This is my fourth and, yet again, despite its length, I didn't want it to finish. Sully, the 60-year old hero in this one, is not only a hopeless loser, as are most of Russo's characters, but - I won't spoil it by listing his character flaws but let's say he is not someone most of us would admire in real life. Yet Russo writes with such wit and humanity, I found myself desperately fond of old Sully and all the other no-hopers who do very little but get drunk, smoke, argue and insult each other. That is surely one of the highest achievements of a novel - to take us somewhere we wouldn't want to go and show us the good in it.

The book covers 3 generations with the majority of the attention given to the older end. It is refreshing to see the focus and sympathy given to the unattractive 80 year old Mrs Peoples, and to the younger grandparents whose sex lives Russo does not shrink from describing.

Warning if you don't like 4 letter words and crude references to parts of the anatomy, steer well clear of this.

One final comment: if you like banter and bar talk, I can't think of anyone who gets it so exactly right as Russo. (If you know of anyone else who can match it please let me know).

2 people found this helpful

downtown USA

this book was described as storytelling at its most generous. while I enjoyed the book i found it quite difficult to listen to. the main character was quite engaging but some of the language was difficult and I found the setting hard to relate to. This is a book written by a man and the characterisation of the women felt stereotyped

1 person found this helpful

Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo

This book seemed to drag on and on and unfortunately the voice of the reader kept sending me to sleep and didn't keep me interested.

1 person found this helpful

Brilliant

Simply brilliant, I chose this book after getting the 'recommended reads' email. I was not dissappointed. So subtly written, nothing major really happens within the story line but that is the beauty of it. Its about the relationships of the characters and the daily living in a small town. I totally fell in love with Sully, mainly thanks to the excellent narrator. I love my monthly audible credits and this is why, Im even thinking of getting the movie out on DVD. (there's a movie!!). Download this now

1 person found this helpful

Excellent! A funny and moving novel.

Would you consider the audio edition of Nobody's Fool to be better than the print version?

I have not read the printed version

Who was your favorite character and why?

Richard Russo skilfully made me really care for several of his characters especially Sully and Mrs Beryl, but equally Peter, Ruth, Carl and even Rub!

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Too many to pick out just one!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Again there were several. There is an undercurrent of care and concern throughout the book.

Absolutely brilliant!

What made the experience of listening to Nobody's Fool the most enjoyable?

What a fascinating cast of characters. It perfectly captured ( what I imagine is) American small town life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sully is now my literary hero. Flawed, damaged, a bully yet so humane.

Which character – as performed by Ron McLarty – was your favourite?

Again Sully

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Well it has so no use speculating.

Any additional comments?

If you are into Audible get this title. It's long but so worthwhile.

great story, great characters, great narration.

drove through Europe in a camper van. felt like we were driving through Maine! loved it.