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babsaway14's review against another edition
5.0
I'll admit I'm a bit of a sucker for heavy paperbacks. If a book weighs more than my purse, I'll pick it up if only for that reason alone.
I also love messy, twisted emotional Novels that deserve the capitol, and this very much one of them. Set in southwestern Washington state with moments of Portland, this is the story of a family, a good family, a family that truly loves each and all the neuroses and tortuous magic that goes into that.
I also love messy, twisted emotional Novels that deserve the capitol, and this very much one of them. Set in southwestern Washington state with moments of Portland, this is the story of a family, a good family, a family that truly loves each and all the neuroses and tortuous magic that goes into that.
mapdock's review against another edition
2.0
I really tried to fall in love with this family. Maybe it was the voice of the narrator that didn't work for me, coming from a child's perspective. I didn't make enough of a connection with the person telling the story, and felt ambivalent about the others around him, so I pulled the plug on this about 20% of the way through. Maybe something I'll pick up again and try later...
hotcheese's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
4.0
There is a lot of baseball in there - because the father was a baseball player and various developments in his career are closely followed. Later his sons too had failed Baseball careers with high school teams - actually their baseball careers foreshadowed their failures to achieve what they could in life. Besides there are a lot of baseball quotes.
There are a lot of literature references too, mostly Russian - the title nods to Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov, there are other nods too – a character named after Myshkin from ‘The Idiot’; chapters named ‘The Bland Inquisition’, ‘The shoats from underground’, 'Kwakiutl Karamazov’ etc. Big great authors are often quoted - which is a thing I love, books quoting books.
There is also a lot of religion in there; mostly creating friction among characters having different religious opinions – the Bible is the most quoted and misquoted book. Another book often quoted is Budha's biography. The mother is deeply religious Christian and want to force her belief on the children, the later ressist it.
There is also a lot of politics in there, mostly focused on U.S.-Vietnam war – and oh! There is that war in there too, mostly destroying and disturbing lives as wars always do. Almost all characters who aren't in army are against war.
But above them all, it is story of a family surviving through their differences and problems created by fate, religion, war and their own mistakes as the four brothers live their lives. Their father is a baseball player and the mother is a deeply religious Christian – two things they inherit and lose.
From among four brothers – Everett is by nature a rebel; an agnostic and a political protester and loses his way in trying too hard to change the world.
Peter is a scholar, the religious one but changes his religion to Buddhism - in his quest for knowledge (he comes to India), he leaves much of his life behind and realizies his mistake only too late.
Irwin is a conformist (always a mistake), a real love-them-all type of person – the only one who held on to his mother’s church and which resulted in his doom. The failure of careers of these three brothers is symbolized in the title (‘K’ in baseball stands for “Strike out’)
There is a fourth brother and two sisters (twins) as well. I can't share much as the story is spoilable but there is that whole spectrum of characters and the narrative is full of humorous punches - it is a little like a story from a family comedy sop but with realistic characters having realistic issues. Not something I usually look for in books, but it is hugely entertaining. And it covers so many countries - we see characters who have been to US, UK, India, Canada, Vietnam and Russia.
There are a lot of literature references too, mostly Russian - the title nods to Dostoevsky's Brothers Karamazov, there are other nods too – a character named after Myshkin from ‘The Idiot’; chapters named ‘The Bland Inquisition’, ‘The shoats from underground’, 'Kwakiutl Karamazov’ etc. Big great authors are often quoted - which is a thing I love, books quoting books.
There is also a lot of religion in there; mostly creating friction among characters having different religious opinions – the Bible is the most quoted and misquoted book. Another book often quoted is Budha's biography. The mother is deeply religious Christian and want to force her belief on the children, the later ressist it.
There is also a lot of politics in there, mostly focused on U.S.-Vietnam war – and oh! There is that war in there too, mostly destroying and disturbing lives as wars always do. Almost all characters who aren't in army are against war.
But above them all, it is story of a family surviving through their differences and problems created by fate, religion, war and their own mistakes as the four brothers live their lives. Their father is a baseball player and the mother is a deeply religious Christian – two things they inherit and lose.
From among four brothers – Everett is by nature a rebel; an agnostic and a political protester and loses his way in trying too hard to change the world.
Peter is a scholar, the religious one but changes his religion to Buddhism - in his quest for knowledge (he comes to India), he leaves much of his life behind and realizies his mistake only too late.
Irwin is a conformist (always a mistake), a real love-them-all type of person – the only one who held on to his mother’s church and which resulted in his doom. The failure of careers of these three brothers is symbolized in the title (‘K’ in baseball stands for “Strike out’)
There is a fourth brother and two sisters (twins) as well. I can't share much as the story is spoilable but there is that whole spectrum of characters and the narrative is full of humorous punches - it is a little like a story from a family comedy sop but with realistic characters having realistic issues. Not something I usually look for in books, but it is hugely entertaining. And it covers so many countries - we see characters who have been to US, UK, India, Canada, Vietnam and Russia.
minnaobrien's review against another edition
5.0
Every once in a great while, I am lucky enough to read a book whose authorship has surpassed craft and become art. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. David James Duncan is one of the best authors out there. His book contains compelling characters, excellent writing, and deeply meaningful themes.
This is not an easy read - it is a long book with many emotionally hard-hitting moments - but it is a highly rewarding read.
I would also recommend this book to audiobook listeners. Robertson Dean’s excellent performance elevates the story.
This is not an easy read - it is a long book with many emotionally hard-hitting moments - but it is a highly rewarding read.
I would also recommend this book to audiobook listeners. Robertson Dean’s excellent performance elevates the story.
craftbuzz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
danib11's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing story of family and faith. This was my book club pick...and I was the only person to finish. It takes a while to get into as the characters are introduced. Stick with it! This book is more than worth the energy!
soupy_tom's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75