Everybody's Fool: A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries)

This is brilliant, I enjoyed every minute of it. Nobody's Fool used to be my favorite book, then came The Bridge Of Sighs, which I found somewhat sentimental and was disappointed. Somewhere in between came An Old Cape Magic, which, while enjoyable, seemed to reflect a shadow of previous talent and skill. But finally, finally, a giant of a book, impossible to put down. Looking forward to Trajectory.

This is an exceptional piece of storytelling. It's set in a tired, worn out, little old town with sad, tired, worn out characters, which sounds like a pretty depressing story, but it's just the opposite. The humor is laugh out loud even though it occurs in pretty sad circumstances. I was already a fan of Richard Russo, and this novel cements that for me. I can't wait for his next novel.

Remember the SNL skit with Christopher Walken acting as Blue Oyster Cult producer yelling "more cowbell"? Think this book would benefit from "more Sully"! Sully, you may remember was the main character in the first in this duo titled "Nobody's Fool" played in the movie version by Paul Newman. (And if you don't remember, I suggest you read that one before this.) The book continues the tale of a dying upstate NY town, and it was great to return to Bath since some of the characters almost became good friends in the first one. Now, some have passed, some have prospered, some have fallen. While the story contains the great humor, characterization and insight of the first, the spotlight shines a bit more on other characters while I think most of us were expecting "more Sully". Not that he doesn't play a major role, he just seems a bit more in the background. Still, a good and worthy read!

Richard Russo is, in my opinion, the greatest living American writer. Read Russo if you want to see 21st-century American literature at its best.

Everybody’s Fool is a sequel to an earlier novel titled Nobody’s Fool but it’s much stronger than the original. It is not a novel of the crisis because Russo isn’t noticing the crisis. He isn’t noticing anything but the single subject he writes about almost obsessively: the tragedy of the patriarchal mentality that posits men and women as irreconcilably different from each other. Russo’s characters are dying of loneliness and sadness but it doesn’t occur to them that their spouses and lovers don’t have to constitute an enigmatic and threatening presence in their lives.

This is a novel that should be taught in every gender studies course. Not only would it be an absolute joy to teach because it’s a work of art but it also would help students develop a profound understanding of the ills of the patriarchy better than miles of poorly written and unhinged “theoretical” screeds by disturbed and boring people that are being taught right now.

One thing I didn’t like about the novel is that Russo introduced several African American characters, and he’s not very good at writing about African Americans. They end up being little more than collections of stereotypes. My guess is that Russo must have been criticized at some point for creating lily white character casts, and instead of staying true to who he is, the writer decided to diversify. The result is quite awkward. One can only be thankful that the writer spared us a couple of characters who are Syrian refugees or illegal Mexicans.

There is also homosexuality in the novel, but it’s treated in a way that’s a lot more nuanced and convincing than race.

At times the characters in this book weren't quite as believable as Russo's previous novels, but I still found myself laughing and crying right along with them throughout the book. I loved the character of Raymer! I could see so many friends and family in him. Russo is a master at creating the "simple man" character! I hope there is a new novel soon.

It was the perfect conclusion to Nobody's Fool, one of my favorite books. I knew the Texas version of Sully for most of my life, and I dearly miss his brand of "crazy." The adventures of the Bath boys made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. So happy to revisit my old friend. Thank you, Richard Russo.

Like good cheese, these characters have gotten better with age. Thank you, Richard Russo, for bringing them back for an encore. Plus we have an unforgettable new one who is Everybody's Fool. The first few chapters start slowly, setting us up for a wild ride. Totally satisfying.

It always bothers me when I cannot finish a book. This is one I cannot finish. There are numerous, intertwined story lines and only one of them is at all interesting. Unfortunately, the number of story lines means the interesting one doesn't get nearly enough attention. I honestly don't remember if I read the first book in this "series", but none of the characters sounds familiar to me and I have no desire to get to know them. I slogged through 2/3 of the book before deciding life's too short to waste it reading something I am not enjoying. When I describe the reading experience as a slog, that should have been enough to cause me to give up much sooner, but I kept thinking it would get better as I went along. It didn't. This one goes in the donate pile, unfinished.

Russo is a wonderful author. I read Straight Man 18 years ago, and when a book makes me actually laugh out loud (a rarity), I seek out and devour the rest. Everybody's Fool is wonderful. Not only did I literally laugh out loud, but I actually cried a little, too. These characters are so full, you just can't help but love them all - even the unlovable ones make you want more of them! Richard Russo: please keep doing what you do!

I just can't get through this book. The characters are depressing, the town is depressing, it is not one of Russo's best efforts. I keep giving it another chance and try to get interested in the story, but after a few pages, I put it down and go back to reading a more interesting, faster paced book. Some of Russo's past books were faster paced and more enjoyable with colorful characters, but I wouldn't recommend this one.

Author has once again assembled a delightful (for the most part) cast of characters in the same small New York town taking life one day at a time. A police chief who hears and is directed by " a voice" in his head as he pursues whoever his now deceased wife was having an affair with; a tenant whose sole job is to sign for (but not open) ups packages daily; a recently released convict who has come home to roost and by doing so terrorize his ex-wife and her family; and a town main-stay who proves to be a hero of sorts in spite of health issues he is scared to pursue. Add these characters to the police chiefs female deputy (with whom he thinks he is falling love; her brother (who has issues of his own) and a snake which has escaped and adds to the pandemonium the town experiences.
Richard Russo has again hit a home run with this most enjoyable novel. I eagerly await his next offering.

Author has once again assembled a delightful (for the most part) cast of characters in the same small New York town taking life one day at a time. A police chief who hears and is directed by " a voice" in his head as he pursues whoever his now deceased wife was having an affair with; a tenant whose sole job is to sign for (but not open) ups packages daily; a recently released convict who has come home to roost and by doing so terrorize his ex-wife and her family; and a town main-stay who proves to be a hero of sorts in spite of health issues he is scared to pursue. Add these characters to the police chiefs female deputy (with whom he thinks he is falling love; her brother (who has issues of his own) and a snake which has escaped and adds to the pandemonium the town experiences.
Richard Russo has again hit a home run with this most enjoyable novel. I eagerly await his next offering.

A great read with unexpected turns and twists. Just a wonderful get-away for reading Russo in all his glory. Character development and small town images bring you right into the story. A great story about overcoming life's challenges and finding your place in life. Thoroughly enjoying!

Richard Russo is one of my favorite authors and Everybody's Fool is a prime example of why he is. His writing always excels in giving depth to everyday people while providing a backdrop of nearly absurd, humorous events which tie them together. I am always in awe of anyone that manages to add depth to a story's characters, while maintaining the reader's attention. And Mr. Russo never fails to do that.

As I read Everybody's Fool, I was so caught up with learning about and understanding these characters that for all I cared, the main story line could have been as mundane as that of the opening of a new Starbucks. The way he does manages this is through a perfect blend of the character's thoughts, points of view, and remembrances. I couldn't help but think of all the times I've read the character writing tip to 'not tell the audience, show them'. Strangely enough, in essence he is telling us and it works. It works extremely well.

As for the plot, in typical fashion, he creates a set of events which take place over the span of only a few days, but have such impact on the people involved, that the whole story seems to go on for much longer (in a good way, as it is keeping your attention). It gives that real-life feeling of how day-to-day routines eat up our time without notice, while strong events capture our attention. In the case of Everybody's Fool however, the events are, as I mentioned, bordering on absurd, yet wonderfully comical.

Which brings me to another reason I enjoy his works: his humor. His writing capably spans from slapstick, to witty dialog, to insightful comic observations on human behavior - abundant and in good balance.

What to expect:
As a reader you will be introduced (or in many cases re-introduced if you previously read Nobody's Fool) to a number of the more unique characters in the upstate New York town of Bath. And, while this is, by definition, a sequel, the reader can jump right in. Mr. Russo, does a very good job of ensuring this book can stand on it's own. As I indicated, this is primarily a book of character study - a crisp view into humanity - so bear in mind that all other elements will be subservient to that.

Richard Russo never fails. For me, this sequel was as good as the first. I absolutely love his characters, perhaps none more than Sully. But like a master Russo throws the reader a curve ball with this novel by making a minor character from the first book into the main character of this one. Well done Mr. Russo. Keep 'em coming!

Russo is a brilliant writer, and this is evident here. One expects from Russo wisdom on every page, great (true) dialogue, great (true) characters, and hilarious observation and scenes. But what you also get here is a riveting plot. The total package.

Nobody's Fool engaged me from beginning to end: engaged me the first time I read it and when I reread it recently in preparation for this, the follow up novel. I waited to fall in love with the characters and the story all over again. That did eventually happen but not until almost the end. A really good read from anybody else, but disappointing from Russo. The style was off putting; I felt like large parts were just just written to help readers catch up on stuff that they should have remembered from Nobody's Fool but might have forgotten. Motivation was also a problem for me. In the first book, I understood why everybody did what they did. This time, the characters motives are explained rather than understood.