The dialogs presented in this work are highly negative, filled with derogatory and filthy language. It seems that an overwhelming number of the characters within its pages are nothing but pathetic losers. It's important to note that I'm not the kind of person who believes that people should prioritize monetary success over showing kindness to their fellow human beings. However, this book has left me with an extremely depressing and utterly boring feeling.

Admittedly, there is a hint of humor here and there, but even that is of a negative nature.

I have endured six hours out of a total of twenty-four, and I have finally decided to throw in the towel. I only reach such a decision when I truly detest a book. Therefore, I would not recommend this book to anyone.

It fails to offer any redeeming qualities that could make it an enjoyable or worthwhile read. Instead, it seems to wallow in a cesspool of negativity and despair.

Perhaps there are those who might find some value in such a dark and dismal portrayal, but for me, it has been a complete waste of time.

I can only hope that future works will offer a more positive and engaging experience for readers.

This is yet another book that I read several years ago. Before joining "goodreads", I recorded my thoughts in my drop box. These were my thoughts then and still are:

Sully is, in my mind, one of the greatest characters I have encountered in literature. However, it's not just Sully who is unique among the fictional creations I've come across. It's also the entire town that Russo presents. Everyone here is alive and struggling from day to day. Russo gives just as much importance to the minor characters as he does to Sully, who holds everything together.

I'm finding it difficult to explain why I liked this book so much. I don't want to simply repeat the plot. `Nobody's Fool' has earned my highest praise. You would have to search far and wide to find a more satisfying novel than this. This is one of the best books I've ever read. The writing is excellent, and Russo paces it beautifully (I never once thought, "OK, let's move on"). The author also seems to have an unfailing ability to define each character with simple dialogue and action; everything they say and do fits perfectly. When I finally put the book down, I could almost envision these characters continuing to live their lives, which is a testament to Russo's talent.

This is my first book by Russo, and it will definitely not be my last. I'm really looking forward to the next one.

PS - I just watched the movie with Paul Newman playing Sully - he brought Sully to life absolutely. The movie wasn't as good as the book, of course; but Sully was spot on!

Parts of the film, "Nobody's Fool", were filmed in my old home town, Fishkill, N.Y. I ended up seeing the film before I read the book.

Surprisingly, given the time constraints of film, the movie was actually quite true to the book. When I finally got around to reading the book, I fell in love with it.

The only thing that I carried over from the film was that I couldn't help but picture Paul Newman as Sully. He truly made that character his own. Another reviewer here mentioned that she imagined Jack Nicholson as Sully. I can see that too, but in my opinion, Paul Newman did an excellent job.

I guess I've written more about the film than the book. However, I highly recommend that folks read the book and see the film in whatever order they choose. Both the book and the film have their own unique charm and are definitely worth experiencing.

Whether you prefer the detailed descriptions and inner thoughts of the book or the visual and auditory experience of the film, you won't be disappointed. So go ahead and give them both a try!

Richard Russo is truly a remarkable figure!

Perhaps he isn't quite a full-fledged god, but a demigod for sure, and undoubtedly a literary deity. He is the only author I'm acquainted with who has the extraordinary ability to craft a story in which seemingly nothing of great significance occurs, and yet it is an absolute delight to read.

He has ingeniously carved out his own unique genre - that of "dying small towns in the northeastern U.S." The characters he creates are the most vivid and real of any author I've ever perused.

Moreover, he possesses a sneaky, quirky sense of humor that I find utterly charming.

"Nobody's Fool" revolves around Sully, a sixty-year-old, endearing ne'er-do-well who perpetually struggles to follow through on his good intentions.

You simply can't help but fall in love with him and the cast of odd characters who orbit around him as they stumble through their daily lives.

The quotes from the book, such as "You missed what you didn't have far more than you appreciated what you did have. It was for this reason he'd always felt that owning things was overrated. All you were doing was alleviating the disappointment of not owning them." and "It was a scary thought. A man could be surrounded by poetry reading and not know it." add depth and wisdom to the narrative.

Richard Russo's works are a literary treasure trove that deserve to be explored and savored.

My ticket is online.

What a magnificent gallery of characters, both crazy and tender as desired. What I love is the fact that very quickly we accept all their oddities and find them normal, and then suddenly a third character appears, revealing them in broad daylight. I adored the series Ally McBeal - the lawyers were all crazier than each other, but it seemed normal to see them dancing in the toilets, whistling through their noses in front of the jury, talking to a frog... and then the creator brought in an ultra-serious lawyer (from another series) and suddenly we realized that the level of normality had gently slipped and we had all accepted it without batting an eye. In short, we are only strange in the eyes of others..... Sully is an endearing character, like his landlady, his best friend.. I loved going to North Bath in the morning and betting the same numbers at the local PMU! Can't wait to find Sully in new adventures.

This story really showcases the relativity of what we consider normal. It makes us question our own perceptions and how easily we can adapt to the strange and unusual. The characters in this narrative are truly captivating, and their antics keep us entertained and engaged. I'm looking forward to seeing what other adventures Sully will embark on and how his relationships with those around him will develop. It's a world full of charm and surprises, and I can't get enough of it.

Small town North Bath in upstate New York has indeed seen better days.

And our main character, Sully, is no exception. He is divorced, in his 60s, with a busted knee that gives him constant pain. His son is estranged, and he has an odorous friend named Rub.

Sully lives alone in rooms rented from Miss Beryl, his 8th grade English teacher. Despite his flaws, Sully is a likeable character. He is quick-witted and not afraid to push the boundaries of what is right and wrong. He has a kind streak, which is evident in his banter with the older citizens of North Bath.

If you enjoy a book with well-developed characters, this one is for you. It may be a long read, but it is a rewarding one. You will become invested in Sully's life and root for him as he navigates the challenges that come his way.

The story is filled with humor, heartbreak, and moments of redemption. It is a beautifully written book that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

I was once seated at a dinner table for a wedding with a rather peculiar gentleman. He had the audacity to fashion a peashooter from a straw and proceed to shoot spit balls at his co-workers, all the while thinking it was hilarious. This man was around 45 years old, and I watched in utter disbelief.

As I delved into the pages of "Nobody's Fool", I couldn't help but constantly think about the man described above. The main character, Sully, seemed to have a similar sense of humor. He and his friends appeared to be stuck in an 8th grade mentality. Several times while reading, I found myself questioning whether I truly wanted to continue reading about adults who behaved like 15-year-olds. However, the author's captivating writing and the vivid, lifelike characters simply wouldn't allow me to put the book down.

Sully resides in North Bath, N.Y., an upstate, blue-collar small town that has seen better days. He is a boarder in his 8th grade teacher's home, Mrs. Peoples, who is the only real adult figure in the story. Sully and she share an affectionate bond. As the story unfolds, we learn that Sully works in construction, has a severely injured knee, and has been involved in a 20-year affair with Ruth, who is married herself. Sully also has an ex-wife, a son he rarely saw growing up, and two young grandsons. The story revolves around Sully and the various people he encounters in his life.

There are two children who are prominently featured in the novel. One is Sully's grandson Will, whose younger brother constantly causes him harm, yet their parents seem completely unaware of his true distress. Then there is Tina, Ruth's granddaughter. Tina has a seriously wandering eye and seldom speaks. At just four years old, she finds comfort in holding her mother's ear, and her mother cruelly calls her "bird brain". I couldn't help but wonder why the children's needs were so blatantly ignored.

This book truly made me think. It is filled with a unique blend of humor, pathos, and real-life situations. However, I did find it to be a bit on the long side. Whenever I felt restless, I would take breaks and watch videos of Paul Newman portraying the role of Sully in the movie adaptation of the book. For me, he truly embodied the character of Sully.

I am an ardent fan of Richard Russo's writing.

His unique brand of humor and the deep affection he shows for his characters truly captivate me.

This particular work is the first installment of a trilogy, and I am eagerly looking forward to delving into the other two. Russo possesses an extraordinary talent for vividly describing both people and places.

Even though I have never set foot in that part of upstate New York where the story is set, it was remarkably easy for me to establish a connection with the characters and even envision the location.

The "fool" in the title is predominantly Donald Sullivan, who, like his father, is affectionately known as Sully. The backdrop is the town of Bath, which has long since passed its prime.

The events unfold over a relatively short span of a few days, with brief intervals of a few weeks in between. During this time, many of the characters experience a whirlwind of activities, such as starting and ending relationships, serving time in jail, and much more.

(I'm being careful not to disclose too many spoilers.) Sully is the central figure around whom everything revolves, and some of the action directly impacts him.

If you don't take a liking to the character of Sully, it's highly likely that you won't enjoy this book and perhaps not the entire series either.

This particular experience took me an extremely long time to endure.

Ordinarily, I have a great fondness for Richard Russo's works. However, this one nearly drained the life out of me.

It has really made me wonder and question what the sequel is going to be like.

Will it follow the same pattern that made this one so difficult to get through?

Or will there be a significant change in style or storyline that might make it more engaging and enjoyable?

I'm left with a sense of anticipation and uncertainty, not knowing if I should look forward to the sequel with excitement or approach it with caution.

Only time will tell, but for now, this book has definitely left a lasting impression on me, albeit not necessarily a positive one.

In the beginning of "Nobody's Fool," I wasn't quite sure about Sully. His crusty, cantankerous character seemed almost like a caricature.

However, as the novel advanced, my perception changed. I gradually got to know him and started to care about him, along with his friends and family.

Russo's genius lies in the fact that his portrayal of Sully made him so incredibly real to me. I have this unwavering feeling that if only I could manage to locate the town of Bath, I could easily walk into the Horse and find him seated at the bar.

This novel is truly a leisurely and satisfying read. It takes you on a journey through the life of Sully, making you invested in his story and the people around him. Russo's writing style is engaging and descriptive, allowing you to vividly imagine the scenes and characters.

By the end of the novel, you'll feel as if you've known Sully and his world for a long time. It's a book that will stay with you and make you appreciate the complexity of human nature.

**Nobody's Fool: A Captivating Tale of Small Town Life**

Nobody's Fool is a remarkable book that I had the pleasure of reading years ago for a book discussion group. Recently, it was chosen as the "One Book" for my village, which led me to reread it. The author, Richard Russo, was also coming to speak as part of the launch for his new sequel, Everybody's Fool. My initial memory of the novel was somewhat influenced by the film version, which featured a star-studded cast bringing the memorable characters to life.

Upon rereading Russo's work, I was struck by the fact that even non-classic fiction can have lasting appeal if the characters are vivid and engaging. This is certainly the case with Nobody's Fool. The novel is filled with a diverse cast of characters who interact in a humorous and heartwarming way. They continuously joust with each other, communicating in a droll manner that adds to the charm of the story.

The novel explores themes of the past and its impact on the present. Many of the characters, especially the main character Sully, are haunted by their past experiences. Sully lives in the shadow of his abusive father and struggles to overcome the limitations placed on him by his unhappy childhood. His lifelong nemesis, Clive Jr., also grapples with his own insecurities, believing that his parents preferred Sully.

The small town setting of Bath, New York, adds another layer of depth to the story. It has a similar feel to other works like Winesberg, Ohio and Our Town, with its universal appeal and portrayal of the comings and goings of the townspeople. The town is in decline, bypassed by the interstate and big box stores, but the residents remain, showing a quirky and humorous resistance to change.

The humor in Nobody's Fool is infectious, with Sully being the source of much of it. His interactions with the other characters, such as Cass at the diner and Wirf, the lawyer, are filled with witty remarks and banter. Despite being a lovable loser, Sully manages to keep his spirits up and bring some joy to the lives of those around him.

Nobody's Fool is an oddly uplifting tale that leaves the reader with a sense of hope. I am now eagerly looking forward to reading the newly released sequel, Everybody's Fool.

This fat book truly disappointed me.

First of all, its tiny typeface was a real turn-off. I understand that I perhaps shouldn't be so critical about such a detail when it comes to the overall reading experience. However, every single time I turned the page, I couldn't help but inwardly sigh.

Moreover, the characters in the book were extremely dreary. They lacked any sort of charm or personality that could have made me invested in their stories.

And to top it all off, the story itself was a huge disappointment. It failed to engage me from the very beginning and just seemed to drag on and on.

In the end, I found myself wondering why on earth I had bought this book in the first place. I must have read a really glowing review somewhere that misled me.

Oh well, live and learn. Next time, I'll be more careful when choosing my reading material.