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mooncrab's review against another edition
2.0
It started strong but quickly weakened. It’s not necessarily a bad story, but boring & anti-climactic. And there are just so many plot holes. The synopsis is misleading, as our main characters don’t actually cross paths til at least page 160… I was waiting for something else to happen for a long time. Despite the short readable chapters, the writing is so bad that I almost couldn’t get past it. If you like fragmented & run-on sentences and continuous improper use of active/passive voice, you’ll love this one. Overall, there are so many other great southern reads by down-home writers that I would not recommend this book and likely won’t read another work by this author.
shannon_reidwheat's review against another edition
5.0
Probably closer to a 4.5, but l felt rounding up was best with this one. I don't know what it is about Michael Farris Smith's writing, but I truly like it. Although there is violence, and intense subject matter in the book, it is well written, and a story about second chances. I did not want it to end. I read Smith's "Rivers" about a month ago and felt the same. An excellent read and I look forward to seeing what Smith has next.
literarylover37's review against another edition
I'm calling uncle on this book. I think I have to be the ONLY person on Goodreads so far who is not enamored with this book. I mean, I tried y'all. I really did. I thought Rivers was great so when I saw a new Farris Smith book on Netgalley I was all over it. But dang. DARK DARK DARK DARK. And slow. If I had to read 15 more pages about Russell driving around in his car, I was going to lose it. I just kept putting it down and reading something else before finally forcing myself back to it. The writing is great though and I appreciated the sense of setting and atmosphere but it just seemed to drag! Maybe there's a pay off. Maybe the two separate stories tie together in a wonderful way that makes it all worth it. But honestly, I just don't care and I refuse to force myself through any more. DNF @ 50%
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Russell Gaines has just been released from prison after eleven years.
Maben, a wayward young mother, is walking on the side of the road with her daughter, Annalee, when we first meet her.
As the story unfolds, the two paths begin to converge in ways we can't imagine. As the tension builds, this book is difficult to put down.
Smith has created characters that are flawed and ugly yet human. He embraces the humanity part and I loved every minute of it.
Russell Gaines has just been released from prison after eleven years.
Maben, a wayward young mother, is walking on the side of the road with her daughter, Annalee, when we first meet her.
As the story unfolds, the two paths begin to converge in ways we can't imagine. As the tension builds, this book is difficult to put down.
Smith has created characters that are flawed and ugly yet human. He embraces the humanity part and I loved every minute of it.
bianca89279's review against another edition
5.0
Bad things happen to good people.
I can't remember the last time I finished a book in two sittings, but, damn, this was a good novel.
Set in a small town in Mississippi, Desperation Road is about second chances and starting over.
A young, destitute, single mother is on her way to her home town, on foot. She's got her young daughter in tow. They're dirty, starving, sunburnt. They can't walk any more, so they take a cheap motel room for the night. Another bad decision, complemented by bad luck, drives Maben to commit a crime. So she's on the run again.
Not far, Russel Gains is a free man, after spending eleven years in jail for killing somebody while driving drunk. It's strange being free and back in your home town. His stress is increased by a a couple of men set on making his life hell.
Michael Farris Smith has written a masterful little novel, with complex, realistic characters, who are lost, angry, occasionally, desperate. The plot is well developed and the writing is simple and lyrical at times while the tension throughout keeps you hooked.
A perfect novel, in under three hundred pages.
I'll have to go thank the library people again for purchasing this and The Fighter on my request.
I can't remember the last time I finished a book in two sittings, but, damn, this was a good novel.
Set in a small town in Mississippi, Desperation Road is about second chances and starting over.
A young, destitute, single mother is on her way to her home town, on foot. She's got her young daughter in tow. They're dirty, starving, sunburnt. They can't walk any more, so they take a cheap motel room for the night. Another bad decision, complemented by bad luck, drives Maben to commit a crime. So she's on the run again.
Not far, Russel Gains is a free man, after spending eleven years in jail for killing somebody while driving drunk. It's strange being free and back in your home town. His stress is increased by a a couple of men set on making his life hell.
Michael Farris Smith has written a masterful little novel, with complex, realistic characters, who are lost, angry, occasionally, desperate. The plot is well developed and the writing is simple and lyrical at times while the tension throughout keeps you hooked.
A perfect novel, in under three hundred pages.
I'll have to go thank the library people again for purchasing this and The Fighter on my request.
the_chronicallyillreader's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
debi_g's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful. 4.5
Fans of Tom Franklin will dig this tale of desperation, redemption, and coincidence.
Fans of Tom Franklin will dig this tale of desperation, redemption, and coincidence.
sorman0110's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing in every way literary fiction can and should be, especially the way Smith does it, southern style! Set in my home state of Mississippi, I could literally feel the sweltering heat, and recall injustices of the south in his writing. #newfavorite
itsmarkyall's review against another edition
5.0
Is this my new favorite Michael Farris Smith novel?
What a damn good read.
What a damn good read.
alexcarbonneau's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this one. I desperately wanted to. It breaks my heart that I didn't liked it that much and the only reason i'm giving 3star is because 4.21 at the moment seems a tad high. This is more of a 3.5 to me.
It IS a great novel. It IS beautifuly written. Farris Smith's prose is delicate and powerful and subtle and strong. But it just didn't work for me. I dunno if it was my state of mind in the last ten days or because i just finished The Last Child by John Hart and rarely felt such a strong connection with the characters, but in Desperation Road, I just couldn't get to be one with Russell and Maben.
I also would have liked for the location to be a bigger part in this novel. Southern Grit-lit is all about bringing the location to life and making it one of the main characters to me.
It just wasn't the right time for this novel and me. Doesn't mean it isn't good. Go ahead and give it a try.
It IS a great novel. It IS beautifuly written. Farris Smith's prose is delicate and powerful and subtle and strong. But it just didn't work for me. I dunno if it was my state of mind in the last ten days or because i just finished The Last Child by John Hart and rarely felt such a strong connection with the characters, but in Desperation Road, I just couldn't get to be one with Russell and Maben.
I also would have liked for the location to be a bigger part in this novel. Southern Grit-lit is all about bringing the location to life and making it one of the main characters to me.
It just wasn't the right time for this novel and me. Doesn't mean it isn't good. Go ahead and give it a try.