Run by Ann Patchett Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Run
Book Review: Patchett is better than this book
Summary: 2 Stars
I am a big Ann Patchett fan--to my mind Bel Canto is nothing short of a masterpiece. But this novel feels pale and forgettable. I agree with many other reviewers who say there is no heat here, no urgency that makes you want to keep reading. Moreover, the characters seem hopelessly contrived, and the plot lacks cohesion and believability. I'm not sure exactly why, but this book feels like a story someone made up, rather than events that actually occurred. The seams that hold "Run" together are completely visible to the reader so that it feels much like when the boom mike pokes into the frame when you're watching a movie.
It's sad to say this, but to me, this novel fails on a fundamental level. I gave it two stars rather than one only because Patchett can turn a phrase like no one else, but unfortunately, that isn't enough to carry a book.
Book Review: RUN To Get this Book
Summary: 5 Stars
While I have read many excellent books this year, few (if any) have resonated with me the way that this book did. While Ann Patchett presents her story in a straightforward easy to read style, each plot twist, each character, each paragraph is thick with meaning and insight.
The book describes a 24-hour period in the life of the Doyle "family" (quotes conveying the extended nature of the family), and the experiences that ensue when Tip, the black adopted middle son of white, Irish, former Boston mayor, Bernard Doyle, is saved from an oncoming hit and run (at the sacrifice of life and limb) by his theretofore unknown biological mother.
The author uses this event as the jumping off point for the exploration of family. The Doyle family consists of Bernard Doyle, his now deceased wife, Bernadette, his two adopted black sons, the aforementioned Tip and Teddy (named for two famous Massachusetts politicians), Doyle's biological son, nere-do-well Sullivan, and the dead mother's uncle, Father Sullivan. The family of the sacrificing biological mother, Tennessee Moser, consists of Tennessee, Kenya, her talented, intelligent, intuitive 11-year old daughter (and presumably Tip and Teddy's sister), and a largely unnamed friend (who comes to play a small, but crucial role later in the tale).
Ann Patchett does an extraordinary job of raising many compelling questions on the nature of family and the roles of the persons who comprise it. The following are some of the issues that caught my attention:
1. The author's message seems to be that a "family" is more a collection of persons who elect to view and treat themselves as such, rather than a relation based on blood or common ancestry. The book begins with a tale (a fable?) of a statue (a startling likeness of the now dead Bernadette) that gets passed down through the generations. Which "family member" ends up with the statue supports this view.
2. I was particularly interested in the presentation of the tension between the duties of a member of a family and the individual's desire to following his own interests and path. The elder Doyle desperately wanted his sons to adopt his social conscience and enter politics, while the studious Tip preferred the solitude of the ichthyology (fish) lab, and the caring Teddy desired to follow the lead of Uncle Sullivan into the priesthood. At one point, Tip and Kenya end up in his lab filled with fish specimens in glass jars, and he is so moved by the interest she shows in the specimens and Tip's knowledge--drawing a stark contrast from his father's lack of interest.
3. Tennessee, the boys' biological mother who gave them up, spent the last 20 years living as an unknown, unseen witness to the boys' lives, but always retaining a connection--even though they didn't know it. Passing them in the street, seeing them in restaurants and theaters, looking through their windows when they passed the house, knowing their interests and career paths, without them ever noticing. Honestly, this description gave me a chill. Tennessee relates to one instance when she almost touched Tip in a crowd, and even discusses feeling electricity when touching him for the brief moment necessary to push him away from the oncoming car. To have that much love and connection with someone who doesn't know you exist--even when passing you on the street--is truly a remarkable notion.
4. The books described pattern of familial behavior into which family members permit themselves to fall, and which tend to define the person, but aren't necessarily who or all those family members are as people. In this light, I was fascinated by the scenes involving the nere-do-well son, Sullivan, and his facility in interacting with the distraught Kenya--something the other family members found much more difficult. Sullivan was really much of a person than his family structure permitted, but sadly, even he himself bought into this restrictive definition in defining and comporting himself.
While I could go on, my best recommendation is to RUN and buy/read this truly extraordinary book.
Book Review: Ruined by the Editor?
Summary: 2 Stars
I get the feeling that this was a much longer book and the editor convinced Ms. Patchett to make it into an episode of 24 (or the Da Vinci Code). Lots of interesting material about the Madonna and Ireland in the beginning, the interesting revelation by the comatose Tennessee in the middle, then the hurry up and let's get all the pieces tied up with a "running" theme at the end --- with little connection among the three. Ms. Patchett, I suggest you go with your instincts and don't make the editor cut the life out of your future novels.Book Review: Run
Summary: 5 Stars
Fast paced and engrossing from the first page. Beautifully and sensitively written novel about families and the decisions made to benefit and/or protect family. Interesting and realistic characters.Book Review: Run
Summary: 4 Stars
This book was a Book Club book, recommended by one of our members. I had no predetermined expectations. I bought the book, read it, and thouroughly enjoyed it. The story was believable and the characters likable. This was my first Ann Patchett book. I liked her style, and I look forward to reading some of her other works.