Richard Russo

Richard Russo is one of my favorite authors. I have read all his previous fiction and have a special affection for his trilogy about North Bath, New York. This is the final book and it is probably the best book that Russo has done. Russo does a great job of depicting small town up state New York and New England towns. Though it might help to have read the previous 2 books it is not necessary because the original protagonist Donald "Sully" Sullivan who died in the 2nd book, is constantly introduced throughout the book. The main characters are his son Peter, his ex lover Ruth, her daughter, her granddaughter, Doug Raymer and his lover colleague Charice and many others. Russo sets this novel in 2010 where the recession has impacted North Bath so it is being swallowed up by its wealthy neighbor Schulyer Springs. Doug the police chief loses his job and Charice who is black get the job as the new police chief in the Springs. Russo introduces themes of racism, police abuse, small town poverty, bad parenting and other societal ills in a mix that produces a great story. The writing is excellent with wonderful humor which makes all the characters very real. At 440 pages it is the correct size to incorporate this large sprawling novel. If you have never read Russo then I strongly recommend this book. You might also check out the "Nobody's Fool" movie based on the first book of the trilogy with Paul Newman playing Sully. Also "Lucky Hank" with Bob Odenkirk is a limited series based on a Russo novel which is quite good(streaming on ???).… (more)