Reviews

Hard Rain Falling by Don Carpenter

Only show reviews with written explanations

grim_swim's review

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A phenomenal philosophical novel exploring the themes of fate, oppression and freedom as the penultimate hope in life. But the conclusions drawn are bleak. You gotta be mentally strong to swallow this pill of a book.

I’m so happy and thankful to NYRB for deciding to republish this masterpiece of a contemporary classic!

lordbrainless's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

blake_zissman's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

noahfence2007's review

Go to review page

slow-paced

3.25

larryebonilla's review

Go to review page

reflective medium-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Hard Rain Falling is a grounded narration of difficulty. In Carpenter’s novel, readers follow the life of Jack Levitt. As it would seem, he was born with bad faith and worst of all—unloved. In many ways Hard Rain Falling is a story about the “masculine condition,” yet Carpenter’s writing extends beyond that. Above all, this is a story about being given a bad hand and trying to move beyond it.