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menfrommarrs's review against another edition
2.0
So twenty-five years later nothing has changed.
Families and friendships are torn asunder under the stress of unemployment.
If you or someone you know is currently desperately seeking a way to “keep it together”, I think you will find this book to be depressingly truthful.
I would rather read to escape.
Families and friendships are torn asunder under the stress of unemployment.
If you or someone you know is currently desperately seeking a way to “keep it together”, I think you will find this book to be depressingly truthful.
I would rather read to escape.
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Recently, I read an Ann Tyler book for the first time. While she uses Baltimore, it's more as a backdrop for a family drama. Whereas Red Baker is blue collar Baltimore down to its loving, gritty soul. The city comes alive in a way that is difficult to do for many writers in that it's not a display for tourists but a functional character, one that exalts and drags down the protagonist (or anti-hero, whatever). Those familiar with the decline of blue collar labor in Baltimore, especially w/r/t the steel mills can relate and Robert Ward captures it in all of its kitschy, loving, racist, damaged glory. A must read if you're a native.
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