Oh, my dear Frank Bascombe.

What a challenging fool you are. You truly frustrate me to no end as a reader.

There are times when I find myself getting so annoyed with your actions and decisions.

And yet, a part of me is sad to say goodbye to you, as I have been told this is the last tome about your existence.

It's strange how attached one can become to a fictional character.

I do not know how to adequately review this one.

In many ways, it felt a bit too long.

The story seemed to drag on at times, and I found myself losing interest.

But then there were those moments when something would happen that would draw me back in.

Did Frank come to some small point of enlightenment in his journey?

That's a question that only you, the reader, will be able to answer.

You will have to read for yourself to find out.

Maybe my review will grow into something more as more time passes.

We will see.

For now, all I can say is that this was a complex and somewhat frustrating read.

But perhaps that's what makes it so memorable.

Compared to the other three books in this series that I have read, this one is truly a dud. I am not precisely sure why this is the case, though. It simply didn't capture my interest in the same way that the other two did. There wasn't as much humor, which was a significant drawback for me. The story seemed to lack the sparkle and charm that made the previous books so engaging. I found myself skimming through pages, rather than being fully immersed in the narrative. It's a pity, really, because I had such high expectations for this installment. However, it just didn't live up to them. I hope that the next book in the series will be more to my liking and will bring back the elements that I loved about the earlier ones.

The statement "Pointless and boring. Plus he offended just about every group of people. Bush bashing was ridiculous and pointless to the story." seems rather one-sided and lacking in context.

While it's true that some people may have had negative views of a particular person or action, it's important to consider all aspects before making such sweeping generalizations.

Perhaps there were valid reasons for the actions or statements that are being criticized. Maybe there was more to the story than what is being presented here.

It's also possible that the person making these comments has a personal bias or agenda. Without further investigation and understanding, it's difficult to determine the true nature of the situation.

In conclusion, we should be careful not to jump to conclusions based on limited information. We should strive to look at all sides of an issue and make informed judgments.

This is a book that becomes increasingly impressive the more time you spend with it.

Perhaps this is the reason why my rating for it was higher during my last reading.

What you remember is the accumulation of incidents, which helps you forget that it takes a considerable amount of time to really get going.

This is a first-person narrative told by a ruminative man who has come to terms with middle age by conservatively examining his life.

As such, he is a difficult character to engage with, as he wanders around feeling sorry for himself.

He has plenty to feel sorry about, but some trimming of the first third of the book would enhance its quality.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking work that requires patience and a willingness to engage with a complex and somewhat self-pitying character.

Despite its flaws, it has the power to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Note to authors: It is rather disconcerting to come across a book that purports to be about the calm post-cancer mind, yet it spends an inordinate amount of time ruminating on relationships and even name-dropping philosophers. What's more, it juxtaposes these supposed profound musings with the rather absurd WTF actions of a character who engages in silly old-man brawls with fellow bar patrons, drops profanity in the most inappropriate circumstances, and makes some of the most inane decisions of any so-called "thoughtful" character in my reading experience. There are simply too many pages dedicated to this disjointed and rather unappealing combination, resulting in a significant disconnect for the reader. It seems that the author has lost sight of the main theme and instead has delved into a hodgepodge of elements that do not quite gel together.

A fine, if not overly remarkable, conclusion to the tale of Frank Bascombe, which Richard Ford has chronicled over a span of twenty years within three novels.

Other than the sporadic moment, the book consists solely of a stream-of-consciousness monologue. This at times renders it a bit dull, yet when it clicks, it engages on a fundamental level, as if you are sharing these thoughts with our protagonist.

Conversely, much like the majority of us, the thoughts are rather ordinary and frequently make for a tiresome read.

Upon reflection, obtain the first two: The Sportswriter and Independence Day. You can likely cease there.

I have an intense love for Richard Ford. The Frank Bascombe trilogy should be regarded as essential reading for anyone, especially any man born between 1940 and 1980. It strikes a chord in the most recognizable manner. It hits and delivers a powerful punch in precisely the same way as our fathers, brothers, uncles, and friends who are several generations older than Generation Y likely do: emotionally, professionally, romantically, and in terms of parenting.

Moreover, Ford's writing is as smooth and flowing as that of a poet, as it has always been.

Some people draw comparisons between him and Raymond Carver or John Updike, both of whom I also love. At times, it does feel somewhat similar, but it's not exactly the same.

I love Carver, yet I rarely see myself reflected in his stories, and I hope my life doesn't veer off track as far as his characters always seem to. Updike is truly wonderful, and the Bascombe series has a resemblance to the Rabbit novels. However, I find the Rabbit novels to be more dated, a bit more pigeonholed, and slightly less relatable, although they are still great. Bascombe is like your dad, your parents' best friend, your high school baseball coach, or the neighbor whose window you've accidentally broken with a baseball. You know him very well.

If you haven't read these novels yet, don't begin with this one. Instead, start by reading "The Sportswriter" (a PEN/Faulkner finalist), then move on to "Independence Day" (which won the PEN/Faulkner and Pulitzer Prize), and only after that, read "The Lay of the Land" (which won the National Book Critics Circle Award).

**"The Complexities of Life in 'Lay of the Land'"**

This novel by Richard Ford is a captivating exploration of one man's life. It showcases his remarkable abilities, such as capturing the intricate texture of ordinary life, having an accurate ear for how people speak, and creating vivid subsidiary characters with just a few strokes.

Frank Bascombe, a 55-year-old real estate manager, is in what he thinks is the "permanent phase" of his life. However, his world is filled with turmoil. His second wife has left him, he has prostate cancer, his daughter's sexual orientation is evolving, and his son has a girlfriend and complex feelings towards him.

The story takes place over three days in 2000, a time when the election of Bush has just occurred, adding an ironic backdrop to Frank's sense of stability. We see how events and tragedies can suddenly disrupt our lives, as Frank realizes with the uncertainty of the world around him.

While the novel has its limitations, such as some unresolved plotlines, it also offers profound insights. It makes us question our own search for love and the meaning of our lives. Frank is a flawed character, but one we can't help but feel sympathy for.

Overall, "Lay of the Land" is a thought-provoking and engaging read, highly recommended for those who enjoy exploring the complexities of the human experience.

In this, the final installment of the trilogy, Frank, now 55, remains the ever-contemplative everyman. He recently returned from the Mayo Clinic without complete assurances. His second wife left him under strange circumstances, and his relationship with his first wife and their two grown children has had its ups and downs. Frank has a lot to think about. But Ford also presents a wide range of ideas for readers to consider.

Is there such a thing as a life that is overly examined? Frank is extremely reflective, and while his insights are fascinating, we sometimes wonder if he focuses too much on himself.

Is the Permanent Period that Frank describes, when doubts are few and the past seems more general than specific, a common experience at that age?

Is being aware of one's own flaws a useful step in dealing with them? Frank's admissions, like the one about lowering expectations, add fuel to the debate.

Are great writers like Ford naturally better at handling deep, personal issues? The scene where Frank experiences suppressed despair is a powerful example.

Could this be Ford at the peak of his writing abilities? While all the prizes went to the second book in the series, the prose in this one is arguably even better.

Although I wouldn't consider Frank a role model, his opinions are sincere. Do I pay more attention because I'm接近 his age? Is his search for meaning less cliched because it lacks a spiritual foundation? Does his inner life make him isolated? He's a complex character, and these are questions worth considering.

About two-thirds of the way through the book, I realized that Frank had a lot to resolve before the trilogy ended. I deliberately slowed down to make sure I didn't miss any details of how he did it. Five-star books like this provide valuable insights that we should carefully consider and incorporate into our own understanding.

A fitting end to the Bascombe New Jersey Saga.

This remarkable book not only captivated me but also led me to explore "Howard's End" with its profound statement "Only connect - That was the whole of her sermon".

Interestingly, at least one New Yorker short story emerged from this book, specifically the part regarding Wally's return.

However, initially, I had some doubts about the logic of the plot towards the end. I questioned whether "faithless" was truly the appropriate word to describe the bad boys' female accomplice.

Later on, to my great delight, it turns out that I was wrong about the end of the Bascombe saga.

I'm so glad that my initial misgivings were proven incorrect, and I can now fully appreciate the brilliance of this story's conclusion.

It serves as a reminder that sometimes our first impressions may not be accurate, and we should always be open to new perspectives and interpretations.

This experience has deepened my love for literature and the way it can surprise and challenge us.

I did not have a favorable impression of The Sportswriter, the initial installment of the trilogy with Frank Bascombe as the protagonist. It struck me as rather contrived and self-aware. However, I truly adored this final novel. It centers around Frank at the age of 58, grappling with prostate cancer, managing a real estate business, and being separated from his second wife, Sally.

Either Ford has evolved as a writer, or Frank has undergone a transformation! What renders this book so outstanding are the incisive observations on every imaginable subject. Additionally, Frank, who appeared self-absorbed and morose in The Sportswriter, now comes across as pragmatic. Despite his illness, he is strangely cheerful and, for the most part, compassionate, although he still has little patience for fools.

The narrative unfolds effectively, and Ford possesses an enviable talent for capturing a character with just a few well-chosen phrases. This novel showcases Ford's growth as a storyteller and his ability to create a complex and engaging character in Frank Bascombe. It is a must-read for fans of literary fiction.

Richard Ford's latest book is not quite as great as his "Independence Day" - the second book in the Frank Bascombe trilogy. However, it is still a terrific novel and highly recommendable.

Anybody looking for some of the best American writing and the best writing about American life in the last 30 years should go for the whole wonderful thing. Start with "The Sportswriter", then move on to "Independence Day", and finally read this latest installment.

In this book, we see Frank Bascombe in his late fifties, now living alone on the coast in New Jersey. He is expecting his children for the Thanksgiving weekend, which promises to be a time of family reunions and perhaps some revelations.

Ford's writing is as sharp and perceptive as ever, and he brings the characters and settings to life with vivid detail. This is a book that will appeal to fans of literary fiction and those interested in the complexities of American life.