Ford, Richard

While not the best of the four Bascombe novels (e.g., Let Me Be Frank with You), it is still a worthy conclusion to a series that ranks with Updike’s “Rabbit” novels for its incisive take on American life across several decades.

A notable addition—and perhaps coda—to Ford's "Frank Bascombe" trilogy; highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, 5/12/14.]

This program should appeal to those drawn to unusual coming-of-age tales. [“Segmented into three parts, the narrative slowly builds into a gripping commentary on life’s biggest question: Why are we here? Ford’s latest work successfully expands our understanding of and sympathy for humankind,” read the review of the HarperCollins hc, LJ 1/12.—Ed.]

This subject tends to produce polemical writing on both sides, but Ford is consistently measured and thought-provoking. Recommended to anyone interested in public affairs.