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lisawhelpley's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I've read by this author, and I get to meet him tomorrow. I found the book very satisfying. Pleasant writing, and good character development. I felt peaceful as I imagined myself on Rudy's farm, in the avocado groves, and at the banks of the river.
ldv's review
3.0
It took a long time for me to get through this one, but it was good. (It's not a tough read, just not compelling.)
I read this at the same time I read [author:Mark Haddon's] [book:A Spot of Bother] which made for a great contrast. Both are about older men after retirement trying to make sense of their kids, their life, their wife's affair. My prejudice going into this book was that the main character, Rudy, would be a fool and make dumb mistakes with his newly acquired avocado grove. Didn't happen. This guy is not dumb or incompetent and nothing gets completely out of control (as it does in [book:A Spot of Bother]). He's working through philosophy -- lots of Plato and others who are out of my realm of knowledge -- but it's done in a really understandable way.
Not an amazing book, but solid, with enough story, plot, originality in setting and events, to make it interesting. And would work well for book clubs, because there's lots to discuss.
I read this at the same time I read [author:Mark Haddon's] [book:A Spot of Bother] which made for a great contrast. Both are about older men after retirement trying to make sense of their kids, their life, their wife's affair. My prejudice going into this book was that the main character, Rudy, would be a fool and make dumb mistakes with his newly acquired avocado grove. Didn't happen. This guy is not dumb or incompetent and nothing gets completely out of control (as it does in [book:A Spot of Bother]). He's working through philosophy -- lots of Plato and others who are out of my realm of knowledge -- but it's done in a really understandable way.
Not an amazing book, but solid, with enough story, plot, originality in setting and events, to make it interesting. And would work well for book clubs, because there's lots to discuss.
elliebooks's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book. Smooth and easy to read, fun and a bit different.
ldv's review against another edition
3.0
It took a long time for me to get through this one, but it was good. (It's not a tough read, just not compelling.)
I read this at the same time I read [author:Mark Haddon's] [book:A Spot of Bother] which made for a great contrast. Both are about older men after retirement trying to make sense of their kids, their life, their wife's affair. My prejudice going into this book was that the main character, Rudy, would be a fool and make dumb mistakes with his newly acquired avocado grove. Didn't happen. This guy is not dumb or incompetent and nothing gets completely out of control (as it does in [book:A Spot of Bother]). He's working through philosophy -- lots of Plato and others who are out of my realm of knowledge -- but it's done in a really understandable way.
Not an amazing book, but solid, with enough story, plot, originality in setting and events, to make it interesting. And would work well for book clubs, because there's lots to discuss.
I read this at the same time I read [author:Mark Haddon's] [book:A Spot of Bother] which made for a great contrast. Both are about older men after retirement trying to make sense of their kids, their life, their wife's affair. My prejudice going into this book was that the main character, Rudy, would be a fool and make dumb mistakes with his newly acquired avocado grove. Didn't happen. This guy is not dumb or incompetent and nothing gets completely out of control (as it does in [book:A Spot of Bother]). He's working through philosophy -- lots of Plato and others who are out of my realm of knowledge -- but it's done in a really understandable way.
Not an amazing book, but solid, with enough story, plot, originality in setting and events, to make it interesting. And would work well for book clubs, because there's lots to discuss.
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