I began reading this series as one of the books was on a list I aimed to complete. These books proved to be among the most arduous I've had to finish. While reading some previews prior to commencing, I learned that Richard Ford is a master of language use. I do concur that he is proficient in sentence composition. However, in my view, he commits several cardinal sins regarding these books.

Firstly, he entirely devalues the plot line. The initial three books establish the embryo of an intriguing plot, yet Ford never adequately explores it, and by the end, the plot remains unresolved. Instead, he opts to engage in internal stream-of-consciousness meanderings that neither advance the story nor reveal any greater truth. I require either a captivating plot to draw me in or at least a potent message the author endeavors to convey.

This leads me to my second point. Ford lacks a strong message. I believe he attempts to depict the breakdown of the family and/or society, but it is, at best, a muddled message. The main character, Frank Bascombe, is the culprit behind all the breakdowns. He is a negligent parent and a faithless husband. Additionally, he is a closeted racist, homophobe, and misogynist. I find him to be a completely unreliable narrator, despite strongly suspecting that Richard Ford is presenting him as a hero rather than a cautionary figure.

My third concern with these books is the underdevelopment of secondary characters. They are introduced but never progress beyond two dimensions. It seems they are merely introduced to serve as straw men for Frank Bascombe's inane dogma or to boost his ego. They are either given no genuine motivation or a motivation that is so one-sided and implausible that it sounds false.

Finally, and of lesser importance, the main character is a sports writer-turned-realtor residing in New Jersey. I am a sports enthusiast who has lived in New Jersey my entire life and worked in real estate for over a decade, and many of the details in the books are inaccurate or too superficial for their intended purpose. This grated on me. If an author wishes for his titular character to be a sportswriter, he should be capable of making the sports seem realistic and engaging. The descriptions of a realtor's life are completely off-base, and the attempt to blend fictional and actual places in New Jersey did not resonate with me as I am too familiar with the state and found the physical movement throughout it inconsistent.

Overall, these books struck me as literary self-indulgence. I think they were written solely to please the author and offer no value to the reader. The plot is excruciatingly sluggish and incomplete, and the messages of the books are either lost or mishandled in favor of the author's only consistent, sophomoric, and unsupported message of "Democrat good. Republican bad."

I have been extremely tardy in putting up this review. I actually finished the book almost 2 months ago. Yet, it remains fresh in my memory. I can recall some of the passages with remarkable distinctness, and certain events are etched in my mind. I don't usually remember books so well, so this one must have truly left a mark. I had read the other two books in the series, always with some expectations, and had been eager to read this one for quite some time as well. I felt that the second book in the series got a bit bogged down. However, this one feels like a return to form. It is a long novel, with my copy consisting of 726 pages. I must admit that I didn't do Mr Ford any favors while reading it, as I read it in snatches. Yet, the story managed to carry on strongly through those snatched moments, which is a testament to the quality of the writing. Frank Bascombe has now moved out to the coast. He is still dabbling in real estate and still grappling with trying to understand his children.

As always, I adored the astute observations and the wonderful humor. The last two or three pages, which I can only describe as the conclusion, are so exquisitely subtle, nuanced, and clever. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and reflecting on how much effort must have gone into crafting it. I did have one minor observation that one particular set piece didn't seem entirely authentic. However, that is truly a minor point. Overall, it is a work of strong writing.

First line: “Last week, I read in the Astbury Press a story that has come to sting my like a nettle”

Last line: “A bump, a roar, a heavy thrust forward into life again, and we resume our human scale upon the land”

When you foolishly make a New Year’s resolution to read fifty-two books in fifty-two weeks, a pledge I foolishly made, Lay of the Land is so not the way to begin the marathon.

This is not a book to race through, nor is it a book that will grab you by the lapels and pull you headlong from start to finish. No. It’s a book to be savored and enjoyed for what it is -- a character study and compelling portrait of America through one man’s eyes.

Lay of the Land is the third book in a trilogy about novelist turned sportswriter turned realtor Frank Bascomb. The first novel, The Sportswriter was an excellent read, and the second, Independence Day, won a Pulitzer Prize. This third novel, published in 2006 (which goes to show I’ve fallen behind in my reading -- hence the New Year’s resolution), is as good as the previous two. You can read it on its own and learn the back story as you go along. Still, Richard Ford writes so well, you really should start with The Sportswriter and move on from there.

This novel covers a couple or three days in Frank Bascomb’s life, right around Thanksgiving Day, 2000. Don’t look for plot. Don’t stop and ask where the story is going. It will take you where it wants to go -- sometimes to the ordinary but more often to one surprise after another. You’ll learn all about Frank, his past and his relationships, almost all of which are at least borderline dysfunctional and sadly in need of repair. You’ll feel for Frank as a man whose life isn’t what he wanted it to be, even though he is now a wealthy and successful businessman. You’ll root for him throughout a tale full of humor, brilliant characterization and plenty of emotion.

I hope you enjoy this novel as much as I did.

Joe

Ultimately, it is unreadable. Ford has managed to hit upon his turn-of-the-century American man stereotype in Frank Bascombe and he just runs with it, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that he runs on and on with it. In the hardcover edition, there are full sentences that extend over twelve lines. His mastery of interior dialogue is similar to that of Updike, and many of his observations and turns of phrase are truly brilliant, brutally on point, and without the 21st-century insistence on irony. In fact, the entire character of Bascombe can be seen as an evolution of an Updike character, brought into the context of Y2K America. However, unlike Updike, Ford's characters - apart from Bascombe - have very little depth. Their role seems to be that of a foil to Bascombe/Ford and a mouthpiece for Ford's view of suburban New Jersey (as some sort of metaphor for suburban, or non-urban USA). Frank is an evolved Democrat, while every other character is a self-entwined hypocritical Republican. Frank is from the South but has overcome his Southern-ness (which is actually the way people in the NYC metro area think, so one can't really blame Ford for this portrayal). And so it goes. I was able to struggle through Ford's three-story collection "Let Me Be Frank With You" because the long short story trick worked. But a five-hundred-page novel spanning three days of a stereotype's life was simply too much to handle. John Updike, rest in peace.

I made up my mind to read Ford's trilogy as every male in close proximity to me adores Ford and I figured it would be advisable for me to acquaint myself with his work.

I initiated The Sportswriter in August 2012 and took a great liking to it. The setting was familiar as it was central NJ where I reside and briefly Detroit, MI where I was born. The protagonist, Frank Bascombe, grapples with a deceased son, a failed marriage, and attempts to bond with his two remaining children, all within a few days around Easter.

Independence Day trails Frank as he endeavors to sell a house to a neurotic couple in Haddam, NJ, before spending a day with his troubled son visiting the Basketball Hall of Fame (a letdown) and the Baseball Hall of Fame (catastrophic). Frank's internal monologue revisiting the past endeavors to unearth some sort of meaning in his life while he confronts joys and obstacles over a brief span of days prior to a holiday.

In The Lay of the Land, Frank has sold his house in Haddam (Princeton) and relocated to Sea-Clift (Seaside Heights) to a house by the ocean. He purchased a real estate agency and spends his time showing and selling shore properties. He has married his girlfriend from Independence Day, but she has recently deserted him after a strange discovery. So Frank is about to celebrate Thanksgiving 2000 at his shore house with his Harvard-educated daughter and her new love interest, Thom, and his son Paul and his one-handed girlfriend who have driven in from Kansas City. Frank's passive, introspective nature serves as an interesting filter for the chaos that surrounds him in his suburban milieu. His neighbors, irate with him for selling them a house they deem a mistake, suffer from lottery-winner syndrome. His favorite bar haunt during his post-divorce single days is now a lesbian hotspot. His Tibetan assistant makes an offer to buy him out. His ex-wife has moved into his former house in Haddam. All of these events conspire to disrupt his equilibrium.

It was arduous to read the descriptions of the barrier island which is so well-known to many of us in NJ and which now lies in ruins. I would be eager to read another Frank Bascombe novel where he contends with post G. W. Bush presidency, post Jersey Shore/Snookie, post-Hurricane Sandy, post-Newtown shootings in Sea-Clift, NJ.

Not quite of the quality of The Sportswriter and Independence Day, but as Ford himself observed in The Sportswriter, it's "something to read on the can." This statement implies that while the work in question may not reach the same high standards as those two renowned novels, it still has some value as a light and perhaps somewhat disposable reading material. It could be something that one might pick up casually, perhaps during a moment of relaxation or when in need of a quick diversion. It may not be a profound or life-changing literary masterpiece, but it has its place in the world of reading as a simple and unassuming piece that can provide a bit of entertainment or pass the time.

I recently heard an interview on NPR with Richard Ford about this book, and it immediately piqued my interest, so I had to read it.

However, it wasn't until I was about 50 pages in that I began to notice a particular style. This guy really seems to enjoy having his characters think and ponder, think and ponder some more. It gets to the point where you just want to shake them and yell, "Get on with the action already!"

You can honestly forget that the main character is driving down a freeway in a snowstorm because of all the inner thought going on. But don't get me wrong, it's good writing. The plot line was engaging enough to keep me reading all the way to the end. It's just that this particular style of excessive inner monologue isn't really my thing. I prefer a bit more action and a faster pace in my books.

Overall, I can appreciate the quality of the writing, but it's not a book that I would necessarily recommend to everyone. It really depends on your personal reading preferences.

Vol. 3 of Ford's series about America and its values has finally come to an end. I must admit that I was rather relieved to finish it. To be honest, I was heartily sick of Frank Bascombe and his never-ending concerns about his life and his family's troubles. It seems like all he does is worry. Just sell some more houses, Frank! I understand that the book is supposed to convey the meaning of life in America for the average man, but I find all the angst over so many trivial things to be quite boring. Maybe it's just too American for my taste? I'm not sure if I'm the right audience for this kind of story. It might resonate more with those who have a deeper understanding and connection to American culture and values. Overall, while I can appreciate the effort that went into writing this book, it just didn't do much for me.

4.25 stars

Frank Bascombe has truly been growing on me. It's not just that I find myself liking him more and more with each passing moment. In this remarkable series, Richard Ford has masterfully demonstrated how adults can continuously keep growing up.

Frank's character development is a journey that is both captivating and inspiring. We see him facing various challenges and experiences that force him to reevaluate his beliefs, values, and life choices. Through it all, he manages to evolve and mature, showing us that growth is possible at any stage of life.

Ford's writing is细腻 and engaging, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in Frank's world and understand his inner thoughts and emotions. The series as a whole is a testament to the power of personal growth and the importance of never stopping the pursuit of self-improvement.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and deeply satisfying read. It will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the complexity of the human experience and the potential for growth that lies within each of us.

I didn't realise that this is part of a series or the end of a series. I must read the rest.

In many ways, it lines up for me with Rabbit Angstrom. However, there is a significant difference in that Frank Bascombe is much more self-aware.

Frank continuously and consciously examines his life and relationships. He is constantly reflecting on his past actions, decisions, and the people he has interacted with. This self-awareness allows him to grow and change, to learn from his mistakes, and to make more informed choices in the future.

It also makes him a more complex and interesting character. We see his flaws and insecurities, but we also see his strengths and his ability to overcome obstacles. Overall, I am very intrigued by Frank Bascombe and look forward to reading more about his journey.

This book is truly a remarkable commitment. You either have an affinity for Richard Ford's works or you don't. His portrayal of the character Frank Bascombe has a distinct and captivating voice.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audio version while engaged in yet another long house project. The vivid descriptions in the book made such an impression on me that whenever I look at certain walls, my mind immediately wanders to the Jersey shore. Similarly, when I ascend a particular set of stairs, I am reminded of Lewis and Clark and their "Undaunted Courage".

I thoroughly enjoyed this reading experience. However, it's important to note that while I really liked this book, I'm not necessarily recommending it to all of my friends. The reason being that everyone has their own unique literary tastes and preferences. Some may find the story engaging and thought-provoking, while others may not be as interested.

Nonetheless, for those who appreciate well-crafted prose and character-driven narratives, this book is definitely worth a read.

I'm not entirely certain as to why I'm deriving such great pleasure from this series that delves into the life and times of Frank Bascombe. In this third installment, the remarried father of two adult children, who is now 55 years old, persists in selling real estate along the Jersey Shore. He is currently grappling with a cancer diagnosis, the ambiguous signals from his ex-wife, a current wife who has gone missing, and the daunting prospects of hosting a "family" Thanksgiving Dinner. Perhaps, when compared to his complex and tumultuous life, my own seems relatively uncomplicated.

Even though this series was initially written as a trilogy, due to its remarkable success, there is now a fourth book. Naturally, it is already sitting in my Amazon cart!

I would rate this series a solid 5 stars. It is essential to read the entire trilogy in order, although it should be noted that book 2 was the one that was read for Pulitzer Prize Winners. The rich and engaging characters, along with the intricate plotlines, make this series a truly captivating read. I can't wait to get my hands on the fourth book and continue following Frank Bascombe's story.