Richard Ford

[owl]

http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/r...icle1769750.ece

 

Here's a review of his new book "The Lay Of The Land." It's the third in a trilogy about Frank Bascome. I've actually only read the second in the trilogy, the Pulitzer-winner, Independence Day.

 

This new one is getting great reviews, though. Anyone else excited about this?

 

His short stories are great too. Rock Springs is an excellent collection. It's almost as if a permanent darkness of futility and ache hangs over all of his characters, yet it's somehow uplifting.

 

Great writer.

[Welsh Rich]

I've only read The Sportswriter and was impressed, though I've got Independence Day on my shelf to read...

 

There was an excerpt in the Guardian a couple of weekends ago, I'll see if I can find it...

[owl]

You should check out Rock Springs sometime. It's an easy read, and it's all good. "Great Falls" might be one of my favorite stories of all time.

[Oil Can Boyd]

I am really looking forward to this.

[owl]

I just read Independence Day. My lady friend got me a signed first edition for my birfday.

[brokendowntele]

I've read both "Sportswriter" and "independence Day" and I loved them both. I see his writings as well as Thomas McGuane's) as a form of contemporary male studies literature, as both authors seek to bring out the questions as to what it means to be a man, husband, father, employee, boyfriend, in these times. What does it mean as traditional powers and roles change, as patriarchal hierarchies (sp?) become archaeic, we are not our fathers or grandfathers in the days of ADD, AA, divorce, etc.,

 

 

 

Good stuff, and I would welcome the discussion.

 

Has anyone ever thought of a VC Book Club?

[owl]

I think that his writings have A LOT to offer everyone, but you're right- they are kind of male-centric.

 

Here's an interesting recent interview from The Guardian (link).