Run
by Ann Patchett
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Book Reviews of Run
Book Review: One of my favorite books. Ever.
Summary: 5 Stars
Do not let the fast-moving nature of this book fool you into thinking that this book has only the substance of a "beach read." With the exception of the opening and closing chapters, the action all takes place across two days. Within this lyrical, insightful book are quickly-developed but deep insights into all of the major characters, including some who are not even alive as the events take place. Patchett's book traverses discussions of religion, race, family, love, privilege and friendship in meaningful and beautiful ways. I have loaned this book out and every time it returns to me, welcome it like a well-loved child returning from college. And every time it comes home I read it again. Furthermore, I even enjoyed this book even more than the breathtaking Bel Canto. If you haven't read this book -- RUN and get it.Book Review: Great Characters, Weak Plot
Summary: 3 Stars
"Run" takes place mostly in one day. During that time, the biological mother of two African American men, who were adopted by a former Caucasian mayor of Boston, pushes one of her sons away from an oncoming SUV saving his life, and jeopardizing her own life and her eleven year old daughter's as well. These people had never met, but had been observed by the mother and daughter for the daughter's entire life. Needless to say, when the boys and their father find out who their savior was, it was a life altering experience. But there were too many coincidences to give this story credence.
I don't want to spoil the unfolding of the story for anyone who will read this book, so I can't go into all the contrivances.
Nevertheless, the characters are well defined and interesting.
Book Review: Unrealistic plot twists
Summary: 2 Stars
I just finished reading Run for my book club. I had heard of Bel Canto by reputation so when one of our members suggested Run, I thought how bad could a book by Anne Patchett be? I was wrong. For a story that takes place over a 24 hour period, there were far too many themes -- adoption, race, politics, family relationships, issues of nature vs. nurture, religion, death and loss etc. -- none of which could be fully developed. With so many themes and such a short timeframe, there was no opportunity for the characters to be fully developed. Finally, some of the plot twists were incredibly unrealistic to the point where they diminished what Patchett was trying to accomplish. I finished the book simply because I was curious about how it would end. However, it was not worth reading.Book Review: Breezy read, but not overly special
Summary: 3 Stars
Good, breezy read..lots of reviews say it "deals with issues of race"...I think the elements of this book that are praised as "social commentary" are pretty superficial.
It's a nice, if slightly unbelievable story. I was really gripped by the first chapter (the pieces about Bernadette and the statue were so beautiful, it could have stood alone as a short story). Then the book seemed, to me, to digress into a "What If" real-life drama / spin-off of the Kennedys or something...like a Law & Order "ripped from the headlines"...fell flat between that and the kind of unbelievable twists and turns.
I like the way Ann Patchett writes, however, so I'll give "Bel Canto" a try
Book Review: Connections and ties
Summary: 4 Stars
I somehow had missed the publication of this book, but since I have never disliked an Ann Patchett novel, (which I can't say about every author I read) I decided to pick it up and give it a try. Found this to still be true and found Run to be a very satisfying novel. Patchett has such a good way about her. Once again, she drew me in and kept me there, for the bleak and cold 24 hours in the life of the Doyle family. The descriptions and inner workings were as good as Bel Canto, but the pace was a bit more brisk. We are all connected in ways we can never know. And we all have secrets. Characters were well depicted and continue to live in my mind well after I closed the book.