This book is truly disappointing.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of his other works, but this particular one seems to drag on interminably.

The characters lack the depth and complexity that I have come to expect from his writing.

At times, I found myself struggling to stay engaged, as the story seemed to plod along without any real direction or purpose.

It's a shame, because I had such high hopes for this book.

However, it just didn't live up to my expectations.

I would not recommend this book to others, unless they are die-hard fans of the author and are willing to slog through the tedious parts.

Overall, it was a major letdown.

This is a really good story, but it falls a bit short in the ending department.

In my personal opinion, the story seems to lack a proper conclusion. It feels more like a compilation of excellent character stories rather than a fully developed narrative with a satisfying ending.

The pivotal murders, which were supposed to be the climax of the story, didn't quite have the intended impact in my estimation. Instead of building up to a thrilling and conclusive moment, the story just abruptly ended.

However, despite the lackluster ending, the individual character stories are still really great. Each character is well-developed and has their own unique charm and backstory.

Overall, it's a good story that could have been even better with a more fulfilling ending.

My husband and I delved into several of Richard Russo's books a few years ago, and we relished his tales描绘的 small town lives.

Nonetheless, when we both embarked on this particular book (in audiobook format), I persevered until the end, yet I'm certain he won't bother.

It requires a considerable amount of time to reach any depth regarding the characters. To be frank, a fair number of them aren't overly pleasant.

I'm relieved that I completed it, but I found it极其令人悲伤. There are two elderly sisters who essentially consume so much space in their daughter's lives that they squander them. One in a rather tragic manner.

Truly, it was a book about wasted lives, bullies, and how on occasion, you should simply drive away and never look back.

It makes one reflect on the choices we make and the impact they have on our lives and the lives of those around us.

Perhaps we should all take a step back and assess whether we are allowing others to waste our lives or if we are being the ones who are causing the waste.

This book serves as a poignant reminder that we should strive to make the most of our lives and not let others or circumstances hold us back.

It's a thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you've finished it.

This is my second Russo novel, and I have to say that I liked it better than Nobody's Fool.

The first part of the book is truly remarkable as it builds the characters with great finesse. It manages to draw you in and make you fully invested in the story. You start to care about the characters and their lives, which is a testament to Russo's writing skills.

The second half of the book takes a different turn. It moves at a much faster pace, and the story develops in a way that you might not have expected. This element of surprise keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes the reading experience even more engaging.

However, my only gripe with this book is the ending. While Russo does a decent job of tying up the loose ends and resolving the storylines of the main characters, much like John Irving does in The World According to Garp, it doesn't quite reach the same level of satisfaction. There are some aspects of the ending that feel a bit rushed or not fully developed, leaving me with a slightly disappointed feeling. Overall, though, it's still a great read and I would recommend it to others.

I've read a half dozen of Richard Russo's books and liked them all.

However, for some reason, I'd never read "Mohawk."

It was only after I was about half-way through it that I realized it was his debut novel in 1986.

In this book, he delves into what has become his signature territory of blue collar small town upstate New York.

The story is truly compelling, filled with the usual Russo characters.

Notably, there's Dallas Younger, a bumbling yet lovable failure.

Then there's the attractive Anne Grouse, who seemingly should have had everything but, like all the other characters, struggles to find fulfillment.

If you're a fan of Russo's work, this book is definitely worth reading.

It offers a unique perspective into the lives and challenges of the people in that small town,展现出 Russo's remarkable storytelling skills.

Whether you're new to his writing or a long-time admirer, "Mohawk" is sure to engage and captivate you.

Annie is a divorced woman in her thirties, residing in the small town of Mohawk, NY.

Her son Randall is extremely intelligent, yet he discovers that he gains more popularity if he doesn't achieve straight A's. In this town where mediocrity seems to be highly regarded, Annie's father, Mather Grouse, stands out as one of the few who values integrity.

Annie's ex-husband, Dallas, is a charming individual but completely unreliable. Meanwhile, Annie is in love with her cousin's husband, Dan, who is wheelchair-bound.

There are also some villains, mainly in the form of Rory Gaffney, and like any small town novel, it wouldn't be complete without some school bullies.

This novel is essentially a character study of people longing for a different life path, except for Dallas, who happily wears shirts with someone else's name that he mistakenly takes from the laundromat dryer.

A plot finally emerges in the last 100 pages or so, but it feels almost too little too late. The writing is excellent, and the characters are vivid. However, aside from a nearly lethal building demolition, not much occurs for approximately 300 pages.

I can only endure sparkling dialog for so long. The final quarter of the book does make it worth reading, but I believe Russo's more recent works might be a better investment of my time.

It took me approximately 30 years to come across this particular one. I discovered a slightly water-damaged copy in a huge yet disorganized stack of books within a used bookstore located on the outskirts of Nashville.

Mohawk is situated in New York state, but it could easily represent any small town in America. It's a place where people still burn their leaves in large drums in their backyards. There's a single diner with one owner/cook, one lawyer, one bookie, one cop, and one mentally damaged individual wandering the streets. How he ended up in that state is part of the narrative.

Nobody in Mohawk ends up better off than they began, and this isn't just in a financial sense. One of Russo's characters remarks that "there had been an insidious moral slippage through the generations, each successive one surrendering a small patch of ethical territory." You just feel like shouting out to the most vibrant of Mohawk's citizens, "Get out! Now!"

Like all of Russo's stories that I've read, the characters are exquisitely crafted. There's one cantankerous old man in Mohawk, Mather Grouse, which brings to mind another Russo novel, Nobody's Fool, that he penned almost 20 years later. Mohawk is a darker tale. There's jealousy and infidelity, intrigue and murder. And, just like in so many small towns in America, it turns out that the primary employer has polluted the place horribly.

While this novel is definitely not uplifting, it is an engrossing one. And it has withstood the test of time remarkably well.

Russo's first novel, which is set in a dying industrial town in upstate NY, serves as a template for nearly everything he has accomplished since. Although it may not be his most powerful work, it is still of considerable quality, filled with his characteristic blend of bitterness and sweetness.

The story unfolds against the backdrop of a town that is losing its economic vitality, and Russo masterfully描绘s the lives and struggles of the characters who inhabit it. We see their hopes and dreams, as well as their disappointments and failures.

Despite the somewhat bleak setting, there are also moments of warmth and humor that shine through. Russo's writing is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to become invested in the story and the characters. Overall, his first novel is a solid foundation upon which he has built his successful career as a writer.

I have a profound love for Richard Russo's writing. He truly stands out as one of my all-time favorite authors. This particular book was the very first one he penned, and while I found it to be quite good, I firmly believe that the works he produced subsequent to this initial offering are even better.

Some of the characters he creates are simply hilarious, bringing a great deal of entertainment and laughter to the reading experience. It's rather interesting to note that the author seems to have had quite a bit of dental work himself. The theme of having a nagging dental problem as an underlying stressor can be clearly observed in many of his books.

I understand that this might seem like an odd point to include in a book review, but it's just something that struck me. It shows that Richard Russo really knows what it's like to experience dental pain. Just sayin'.

Overall, I highly recommend Richard Russo's books to anyone who enjoys engaging and well-written stories. His unique style and ability to create memorable characters make his works a pleasure to read.

I have long been an admirer of Richard Russo's work. His novels, especially "Nobody's Fool" and "Empire Falls", have always held a special place in my heart.

Years and years ago, I had the opportunity to see him at an appearance at Hope College in Holland, Mich. He was truly delightful, and I couldn't resist purchasing his book "Mohawk" at the event.

Strangely enough, it took me until now to finally read it. This is his first novel, and it clearly showcases the same deft touch with描绘small-town-down-on-its-luck living that is so evident in his later works.

The characters in "Mohawk" are perhaps not as fully developed as those in his more mature novels, and the story may lack the more obvious direction that we find in his later works. However, it still has its own charm and appeal, and it gives us a glimpse into the early days of a talented writer.

Overall, I'm glad I finally got around to reading "Mohawk", and I look forward to reading more of Richard Russo's work in the future.

Mohawk, New York, is a town on the verge of decay.

The local tanneries have polluted the water, and they are on the verge of closing.

As a result, the citizens are facing a dire situation, either losing their means of livelihood or succumbing to cancer.

Anne Grouse and her son, Randall, live with her parents.

Her ex-husband is a drinker and gambler who occasionally visits his brother's widow.

Anne, on the other hand, is still in love with her cousin's husband.

Over a period of years, the lives of these characters and many others in the town are intricately described, intertwining and leaving scars and regrets.

Like any Russo book, the true beauty lies in the depth of his characterizations and the meticulous detail of his world-building.

He has an intimate knowledge of these people and this place, and he brings it to life for the reader with a perfect blend of humor and pathos.

It is a story that will tug at your heartstrings and make you reflect on the complex nature of human relationships and the impact of external circumstances on our lives.

I absolutely adored this book. In fact, I have cherished every single book that I have had the pleasure of reading by this remarkable author.

What makes his works so special is his profound understanding of small towns and the unique individuals who call them home.

If you have ever had the experience of living in a small town, you will instantly recognize the characters in Russo's books. They come to life on the pages, with their quirks, dreams, and struggles.

It's as if Russo has captured the essence of small-town life and bottled it up in his stories.

Oh, and by the way, his daughter, Emily, works at The Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley. It's always interesting to learn these little personal details about an author.

Overall, I highly recommend this book and all of Russo's works to anyone who loves a good story set in a small town.