Run
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More About the Author
Product Description
Sunday Times Culture Magazine, June 8 2008.
"Patchet's novels are remarkable for their generosity of spirit and deep sympathy for their characters...Covering issues of race and class, nuture and nature, Run is a touching exploration of America's melting pot."
Review
'Enthralling ... It's a skilled piece of writing, a jigsaw narrative that leaps from one character to another with apparent seamlessness' Observer 'A spectacular read ... Full of suspense, exciting and unpredictable, this is a novel that keeps you guessing until the end' Sunday Express 'Her books are so warm, so overflowing with love and affection, that when you've finished reading one your first inclination is to embrace it' Guardian 'Patchett's mastery means there are no slips on the ice for her readers ... It is a long time since I have read such a delicately nuanced novel, where the overall pleasure lies simply in reading an award-winning writer at the top of her game' Sunday Telegraph
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When this novel begins with the story of a statue that has been in Bernadette's family for several generations, we can already predict that this book is a winner. We can already see that Patchett's narration is flawless and has a rhythm that keeps us mesmerized until the tale is complete. In a sense, reading about the statue, I felt like a five-year old listening to a bedtime story read by grandma. And then the "real" story begins, and luckily we see our expectations completely fulfilled.
Years ago, Bernadette and Bernard Doyle had a son and wanted to surround him with siblings; but they were having trouble to conceive. Thus, they decided to adopt a baby. But fate had determined that they got two babies instead, a newly born and his thirteen-month-old brother, who the Doyle's named Teddy and Tip respectively. This event brought bliss to the family and this status quo remained the same until four years later, when the men were left all alone, to fend off by themselves.
Nowadays, Tip is fully committed to being an ichthyologist and cannot stay away from his fish, and Teddy is following his uncle's example and exploring faith and religion. This is not what former mayor Doyle had in mind for his sons, since he has always hoped to see them succeed in politics. Now Doyle is trying to take advantage of his last chance to exert parental pressure and is dragging his sons to a Jesse Jackson speech. As they come out of the venue after the speech, Tip and Bernard get in an argument in the middle of a snow storm, an event that will change their lives forever.
Have you ever noticed that when you go against your parent's advice something usually goes wrong? Even if it is not directly related to the matter at hand. This case is no different, and Tip is almost run over by a car, only to be saved by a woman who pushes him out of the way and takes the hit instead. And this is the catalyst of a series of events that will shake every belief the brothers had and that will change their lives forever.
There are many aspects to praise in Patchett's writing, but I think that the most important one is how well she works at character development. By the end of this novel you will feel like you know the motivations, dreams and fears of each and every one of the characters involved in the story. Also, the way in which the author shares the character's thoughts is unusual and refreshing. In most books the character's thoughts are directly related to the situation at hand, but if you think about it, this is not how reality works. How many times do you find your mind wandering and you start thinking about events unrelated to what you are going through at the time? This is what the author allows her characters to do, which gives them an added dimension and makes them more real to the reader.
This is a novel that has an enthralling plot, involving many secrets that Patchett reveals in layers, as if she was peeling an onion. But on top of that, the writing is so inspiring, that even when we figured out one of these secrets, we will get goosebumps when the truth is finally revealed in the beautiful prose. This is the first novel I have read by this author, but I have made the firm commitment to go back and visit her previous works. Her ability with the pen has to be present in those other novels too. I recommend this book without reservations!
Years ago, Bernadette and Bernard Doyle had a son and wanted to surround him with siblings; but they were having trouble to conceive. Thus, they decided to adopt a baby. But fate had determined that they got two babies instead, a newly born and his thirteen-month-old brother, who the Doyle's named Teddy and Tip respectively. This event brought bliss to the family and this status quo remained the same until four years later, when the men were left all alone, to fend off by themselves.
Nowadays, Tip is fully committed to being an ichthyologist and cannot stay away from his fish, and Teddy is following his uncle's example and exploring faith and religion. This is not what former mayor Doyle had in mind for his sons, since he has always hoped to see them succeed in politics. Now Doyle is trying to take advantage of his last chance to exert parental pressure and is dragging his sons to a Jesse Jackson speech. As they come out of the venue after the speech, Tip and Bernard get in an argument in the middle of a snow storm, an event that will change their lives forever.
Have you ever noticed that when you go against your parent's advice something usually goes wrong? Even if it is not directly related to the matter at hand. This case is no different, and Tip is almost run over by a car, only to be saved by a woman who pushes him out of the way and takes the hit instead. And this is the catalyst of a series of events that will shake every belief the brothers had and that will change their lives forever.
There are many aspects to praise in Patchett's writing, but I think that the most important one is how well she works at character development. By the end of this novel you will feel like you know the motivations, dreams and fears of each and every one of the characters involved in the story. Also, the way in which the author shares the character's thoughts is unusual and refreshing. In most books the character's thoughts are directly related to the situation at hand, but if you think about it, this is not how reality works. How many times do you find your mind wandering and you start thinking about events unrelated to what you are going through at the time? This is what the author allows her characters to do, which gives them an added dimension and makes them more real to the reader.
This is a novel that has an enthralling plot, involving many secrets that Patchett reveals in layers, as if she was peeling an onion. But on top of that, the writing is so inspiring, that even when we figured out one of these secrets, we will get goosebumps when the truth is finally revealed in the beautiful prose. This is the first novel I have read by this author, but I have made the firm commitment to go back and visit her previous works. Her ability with the pen has to be present in those other novels too. I recommend this book without reservations!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Run is a story of a family, like many families today, it is inclusive and self-defined, rather than biological. Patchett clear-eyed examination of love, loss, jealousy, religion, expectations, guilt, and compromise is a complete joy.
All the characters are fully formed,complex, real characters, struggling with their lives and getting it part right and part wrong and you love them all the more for their foibles and mistakes.
The narrative flows beautifully and the writing is fantastic. Although this is a book that deals with this loss, it is an uplifting book, because it is about a family that finds a way of loving each other with out destroying each other, through the catalyst of a young girl called Kenya.
All the characters are fully formed,complex, real characters, struggling with their lives and getting it part right and part wrong and you love them all the more for their foibles and mistakes.
The narrative flows beautifully and the writing is fantastic. Although this is a book that deals with this loss, it is an uplifting book, because it is about a family that finds a way of loving each other with out destroying each other, through the catalyst of a young girl called Kenya.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A tender, lovely book, about Bernard & Bernardette Doyle who, after the birth of their son Sullivan are unable to have more children and decide to adopt. Teddy, an African-American infant is therefore welcomed into their family with open arms and soon after his older brother Tip joins the family too, much to their delight. Everything seems to be perfect until Bernardette dies prematurely.
Bernard finds himself to raise the three boys alone. He is very protective and has plans for them, however between his politically-oriented job and raising the family by himself, as the kids grow up some strain starts to develop between them. Sullivan, much older than Tip & Teddy, moves out very quickly and resurfaces only every now & then.
One snowy night, a stranger passing by with her daughter saves Tip from an accident, but she ends up badly injured. The Doyle's lives shall change forever after the accident.
My first book by Ann Patchett but I shall read more. The prose flows beautifully, despite the intricate backs & forths from past to present, from character to character. This shifting however is uncomplicated and it adds an interesting touch to the narrative style.
I gave it 4 stars (instead of 5) only because, despite my liking it a lot, I found some situations a bit far-fetched, and some of the characters with a goody-goody quality that I found a bit unreal given the circumstances.
All in all however, I would say that this book is quite a page-turner and I would certainly recommend it.
Bernard finds himself to raise the three boys alone. He is very protective and has plans for them, however between his politically-oriented job and raising the family by himself, as the kids grow up some strain starts to develop between them. Sullivan, much older than Tip & Teddy, moves out very quickly and resurfaces only every now & then.
One snowy night, a stranger passing by with her daughter saves Tip from an accident, but she ends up badly injured. The Doyle's lives shall change forever after the accident.
My first book by Ann Patchett but I shall read more. The prose flows beautifully, despite the intricate backs & forths from past to present, from character to character. This shifting however is uncomplicated and it adds an interesting touch to the narrative style.
I gave it 4 stars (instead of 5) only because, despite my liking it a lot, I found some situations a bit far-fetched, and some of the characters with a goody-goody quality that I found a bit unreal given the circumstances.
All in all however, I would say that this book is quite a page-turner and I would certainly recommend it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Warm, funny and humane....
This is a superbly crafted novel of family life. Doyle and Bernadette have an eleven-year old son but Bernadette is desperate for more children. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Wynne Kelly
On and On
Picked up this book from the library having never read this author before. Found it hard to read as it seemed to go on and on but not really get anywhere. Read more
Published 9 months ago by StMarys
Disappointing "Run"
I thought I was going to enjoy this read: it was our Book Club choice and with all the lovely reviews on the book jacket, I was looking forward to it. Read more
Published 13 months ago by devonmaid11
Enjoyable but not gripping
A friend highly recommended this book, but I was a little disappointed.
The writing is fabulous, the characters believable and sympathetic, so I am not sure why I didn't like... Read more
The writing is fabulous, the characters believable and sympathetic, so I am not sure why I didn't like... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Prof D. Bishop
Slow going
The story is about the Doyle family of Boston - former mayor Bernard and his wife had one biological son and adopted two black sons named Tip and Teddy before her untimely death. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Kona
Disappointment
Run
I was looking forward to reading this book but was sorely disappointed. I can appreciate oblique writing and the tweaking of preconceptions but I do need to be engaged... Read more
I was looking forward to reading this book but was sorely disappointed. I can appreciate oblique writing and the tweaking of preconceptions but I do need to be engaged... Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2008 by M. E. Jenkins
9 out of 10
Ann Patchett has written a beautiful book.
I loved the way the reader suddenly finds that his preconceptions are jolted and a new reality takes their place. Read more
I loved the way the reader suddenly finds that his preconceptions are jolted and a new reality takes their place. Read more
Published on 16 July 2008 by DubaiReader
9 out of 10
Ann Patchett has written a beautiful book.
I loved the way the reader suddenly finds that his preconceptions are jolted and a new reality takes their place. Read more
I loved the way the reader suddenly finds that his preconceptions are jolted and a new reality takes their place. Read more
Published on 16 July 2008 by DubaiReader
9 out of 10
Ann Patchett has written a beautiful book.
I loved the way the reader suddenly finds that his preconceptions are jolted and a new reality takes their place. Read more
I loved the way the reader suddenly finds that his preconceptions are jolted and a new reality takes their place. Read more
Published on 16 July 2008 by DubaiReader
Extraordinary read
I loved this book, and read it through a sleepless night.
Run contains the questioning and honesty that shines through in her writing. Read more
Run contains the questioning and honesty that shines through in her writing. Read more
Published on 20 Jun 2008 by J. M. Nash
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