Jonathan K (Max Outlier) > Recent Status Updates

You're a man among men, one of the more famous quotes from the story

As I've said in the past, some books are worth reading again and since this is the only book where the author shows off his wacky sense of humor, its time to revisit

At least one of the books I'm reading is worthwhile!

Of the top ten favorites this and Straight Man are right up there but it's a battle to the finish with James and I Am Not Sidney Poitier!

For those of you who have not been introduced to Donald Sully Sullivan, you're missing out on a terrific character who calls it as he sees it with style

This is storytelling at its best! Russo is a master with small town stories and characters that bring it alive!

As with all adaptations, books offer far more which is why reading them makes sense, lol. I've seen the film numerous times but this is more fun

Nothing but joy and laughter and in this case plenty of both! Anyone that hadn't seen the Oscar winning film owes it to themselves to read the book.

Always a joy to return to North Bath NY where small town characters put a smile on your face and cause you to wonder

Small town storytelling at its best

It's been ages since I read this the first time but the images of the Paul Newman film bring it all back. As with Hank Devereaux from Straight Man, Donald Sullivan, aka Sully is a terrific character as are the rest of the cast. And it's for this reason I enjoy Russo's storytelling.

With books as well written as this you want to savor rather than rush to the finish so I'll complete it tomorrow with a third 6 star review!

I have declared January as Richard Russo month and will be doing a second reading Nobody's Fool next! This is such a great book that anyone that appreciates great storytelling and humor should add to their list even if unfamiliar with the author!

One of the many brilliant skills the author possesses is dialog that encapsulates the themes of the story. Here he uses a conversation about love between Hanks and Tony Coniglia a fellow professor and racket ball partner. The manner of the chat is unlike others you'll read and demonstrates the yin yang of the male species

So good I may have to read it a fourth time! Characters, plot and humor make for an enjoyable experience especially for us outliers

There needs to be more books written like this one but there's only one Richard Russo.. Tis a shame. People that overlook this story are robbing themselves of fun!

Part Two, Judas Peckerwood, the only book with a second act but no act three!

What does it tell you when someone reads a book for the third time? He's either crazy, bored or in this case, loves to laugh out loud!

Hank asks his secretary Rachel to lunch but she says today is her regular sexual harassment lunch with the other secretaries to which he replies, "What do they serve at sexual harassment lunches?

You have love a college whose president is Dickie Pope and the staff refer to the administration building as the Vatican.

Hank is at a bar with a newscaster who recorded his threat to kill one duck a day if the budget isn't passed. She's flirted with his handball partner and nemesis and says," I like your friend. He reminds me of my father". Hank asks if he's alive and she confesses he died years ago. "Then I can see the resemblance"

For those who have yet to read this hilarious story and wonder why a goose appears on the cover, the following will assist. Hank Devereaux Jr, the interim chair of the English department has an off kilter relationship with Finny, and as a result uses his name for a malicious goose who holds reign over the duck pond

Hilarious!

I've officially decided to lobby Russo to write a sequel to this much as he did for, Nobody's Fool, which I will also be reading a second time.

An English professor of questionable sexuality who claims his degree is from the Ventura Boulevard Burrito Palace and School for the Arts! Now that takes creative character development!

It's not every day you see Finny, a drag queen in a university English department and an ugly one at that!

Billy Quigley who normally had no use for Finny seemed glad see him, "I've drunk with uglier broads than you" Taking a swig from his flask, "Not much uglier though"

Never imagined that reading a book for the third time would be so joyous, but this is Richard Russo we're talking about. A Pulitzer winner with a great sense of humor!

Third times a charm? One of my favorites, anyone who enjoys acrebic humor, English professors and unique characters should break from their usual and ready themselves for fun. In my humble opinion this is one of Richard's best!

Far too much dialog which makes a slow moving story misery. Sorry Mr McBride but this one is disappointing.