The Pulitzer once had an intense preoccupation with the suburbs and all the rather ordinary and uninteresting little vices that accompanied them. Ford's writing style is quite dense, yet at least he has a certain sense of humor that makes him funnier than Updike.

However, this book suffers from being overly long. If it had been reduced to a third or even half of its current length, I would have likely found it much more enjoyable.

As it stands, the excessive length sometimes makes it a bit of a chore to get through. But despite this flaw, there are still some redeeming qualities in Ford's work.

His descriptions of the suburban landscape and the people who inhabit it are often quite vivid and detailed, allowing the reader to really picture the setting.

Overall, while this book may not be a perfect masterpiece, it does have its moments and is worth a read for those interested in exploring the darker side of suburban life.

Well-written but way too long for the story.

There are just so many random and side-tracked conversations with minor characters.

It feels like the story gets lost in these unnecessary details.

I found myself reading and reading, but couldn't wait to be done with it.

Some books are just like that, unfortunately.

They have good writing, but the pacing is off.

I guess some readers just want something more to happen.

They want a story that grabs their attention and keeps them engaged from start to finish.

This book, however, just didn't do that for me.

Maybe others will enjoy it more, but for me, it was a bit of a disappointment.

This sequel to The Sportswriter is a continuation of the story of the middle-aged “everyman” Frank Bascombe.

Here, the former failed novelist, sportswriter, and current Real Estate Agent is followed as he spends his Fourth of July weekend. He is trying to make progress in leaving his “existence period” behind while coming to grips with various aspects of his life. This includes his ex-wife, estranged children, current lover, and some rather annoying potential property buyers.

Ford's writing style, which tells both what Bascombe says or does and in addition to what he really thinks and would like to say and do, adds a great deal of interest to his character.

This is the award winner of the trilogy, having won both the PEN Faulkner Award and the Pulitzer Prize in 1996.

It was read for EP Modern Classics in August 2019.

Do you remember the feeling of getting out of the car after a very long journey, when you stretch to overcome the sluggishness? Well, here we are, and that's the feeling.

I have finished this endless journey in Frank's car,穿梭于预制汽车旅馆和可笑的篮球、棒球名人堂之间，还有饮料、薯片以及处于自我毁灭阶段的青春期儿子。在后排座位上总是有一本破旧的《自立》，它象征着弗兰克·巴斯康比的身份，他是一名房地产经纪人、前夫、前体育记者、摇摆不定的情人、爱说话的人。

I wondered why this book had won the combined Pulitzer and PEN/Faulkner awards. I don't know. Maybe it's because this book is a perfect example of American male solitude. There are the United States in every peripheral and grotesque manifestation, an umbilical vision in a world still free from the specter of September 11.

I liked Sportswriter much more, although it must be admitted that Frank Bascombe always manages to get himself heard in some way. He is like those boring friends whom at a certain point in life you can even miss.