An award-winning author has created his most expansive work to date–a captivating family epic, a novel that moves effortlessly from past to p...
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reviews
Mar 23, 2009
Hillery
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I wanted to like this book. It is the type of book I usually enjoy. However, I could never really get into it. The author seemed unsure as to whose story he was telling. Was it the story of the (now elderly) parents and their marriage? Was it the story of the narrator (one of the now grown sons) and his marriage? Was it the story of the narrator and his siblings as children? Who knows? While told by one of the sons, the book lacked a point of view. As a result, I never really cared abou
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May 31, 2010
Nancy
rated it: 
Yet another story of growing up in the Midwest in thte 1960s, large family, middle income. But - this one has a very philosophical discussion about marriage, staying married, dealing with the ups and downs life deals out. Extremely well written. There are many sentences that I stopped and reread over and over again.
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Feb 17, 2008
Diane
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Oct 12, 2008
Liz
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I was curious to read this novel since CJ Hribal was my teacher at Marquette University when I took a fiction writing workshop in 2001. He pushed me to write in a stronger style and voice than I ever had before that time, and I'm proud of what I produced while in his class.
Therefore, my review is biased. It was simply exciting to read fiction by someone I know, plus the story takes place in the Western Chicago suburbs where I grew up, as well as in Wisconsin where I lived for awhil More...
Therefore, my review is biased. It was simply exciting to read fiction by someone I know, plus the story takes place in the Western Chicago suburbs where I grew up, as well as in Wisconsin where I lived for awhil More...
Aug 26, 2009
Clare
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Great book! Every character had an interesting back-story. Hribal does a great job of bringing together interesting people in unusual circumstances. Couldn't put the book down b/c I wanted to see what would happen next.
Hribal brings to life many issues about marriage and family life that we all experience, but often have difficulty expressing and often we wonder, "is this normal?" as we're reflecting on our relationships. Very insightful & relevant to us all.
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Hribal brings to life many issues about marriage and family life that we all experience, but often have difficulty expressing and often we wonder, "is this normal?" as we're reflecting on our relationships. Very insightful & relevant to us all.
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Mar 25, 2009
Kathy
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I loved this book! It takes place with a family living in a Chicago suburb and then the father moves them to Wisconsin. I wish he would write more books!
Mar 08, 2009
Emily
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i was sold on this book because richard russo wrote a blurb for a book jacket. it is very russo-ish; i like that. much of it seems heartbreakingly real, and much is quirky, clever and, now and then, quite funny. i'm not sure how i feel about the book's conclusion, but i certainly enjoyed the bumpy ride in the company car.
Sep 08, 2009
Sara
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Love this story. Love the family. Laugh out loud funny in places. If you live in the Midwest, this book is a must read!
Jun 23, 2008
Kevin
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The large family saga allows the writer to explore much more than mores against birth control; in 'The Company Car' C.J. Hribal isn't shy about pitting the Czabeks against the increasingly intangible American dream.
The narrative jumps between the modern day observations of one of the grown children and the memories of his childhood, but the events of the past were never spoiled, even though the reader has a sense of where the things will end up.
Watch for the announcement More...
The narrative jumps between the modern day observations of one of the grown children and the memories of his childhood, but the events of the past were never spoiled, even though the reader has a sense of where the things will end up.
Watch for the announcement More...
Jul 30, 2010
Sally
rated it:
Wasn't great, but I liked it. Author's writing style took a little getting used to.
Nov 16, 2007
Lyn
rated it:
Just started this novel by a professor of English at Marquette University. It's set in a fictional town in the Fox Valley. Looks good so far but you know I'll finish it even if it's a stinker. I'm such a sucker for a Wisconsin author.
Finished this and loved the characters and relationships but not sure about the ending. I don't always need for a story to be tied up neatly at the end, but this one left me rather confused. Hope someone else here reads it and shares their thoughts.
Finished this and loved the characters and relationships but not sure about the ending. I don't always need for a story to be tied up neatly at the end, but this one left me rather confused. Hope someone else here reads it and shares their thoughts.
Aug 21, 2008
great blend of memoir and fiction; good balancing act with so many characters; feel good big family midwestern story of bros and sisters grown up...but not, really
Dec 02, 2007
Sea
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CJ writes with humor and grace. I laughed out loud throughout the book. If you're from Wisconsin, you'll recognize not just the places but the people.
Dec 31, 2011
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