Everybody's Fool; Richard Russo
Knopf - 2016
Twenty-three years after Nobody's Fool introduced readers to the cantankerous, Donald (Sully) Sullivan and other memorable characters comes the much anticipated sequel, Everybody's Fool.
Set in the fictional, former mill town, North Bath, NY, the story picks up 10 years after Nobody's Fool. Sully is now 70, not in the best of health but, he doesn't have to worry about money for the time being. His gambling has paid off and he's inherited a house from his landlady. He's more at peace than he's been in years.
There's lots of returning characters in this installment like, Rub Squeer, a developmentally disable man who happens to be Sully's good friend. He's also the local handyman. Ruth who owns the local diner and a woman Sully was involved with for years, Roy Purdy, Ruth's ex-BIL, an abusive nut. Doug Raymer, a cop who once had his nose broken by Sully is now the town's police chief and Clarice Bond, the town's black policewoman. Gus Moynihan, the mayor ,also returns as does Sully's son and grandson.
I first started this one listening to the audio book and I wasn't happy listening to it. It wasn't just the tone but, it seemed silly. I figured I might enjoy the print version more so, although it took a several weeks, I was finally able to get the library copy which I enjoyed more.
Overall, I wasn't thrilled with this sequel. There were frequent changes in the POV and, I found this installment unnecessarily long. At times the crazy antics that happened in this town seemed slapstick-like and got to be a bit much. I felt that the story might be better suited as a movie script.
3/5 stars
(library)
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