A review by kribby
The Free by Willy Vlautin
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
I cannot explain how I even found this little gem in the sea of books at Schuler Books. I just had hours to kill and immersed myself in the stacks.
And just as mysteriously, I cannot explain its grip on me. I could not put it down and the characters are still with me a week later.
And I also cannot understand other reviewers saying they skimmed through Leroy’s dream sequences. Those are the most powerful thing about this book. We see what he’s seen and experienced through them. Vlautin is using allegory and metaphor to make his point, and I do recognize that some people don’t like to read like this (and I will admit that some authors can be too esoteric with their allegory/metaphor style), but this is not that. It’s very straightforward.
Also I thought the other characters were great examples of the working poor and the disappearing middle class.
I had never heard of Vlautin before this book, but will search out his other titles
And just as mysteriously, I cannot explain its grip on me. I could not put it down and the characters are still with me a week later.
And I also cannot understand other reviewers saying they skimmed through Leroy’s dream sequences. Those are the most powerful thing about this book. We see what he’s seen and experienced through them.
Spoiler
And through them we see the real consequences of sending our children away to wars and conflict.Also I thought the other characters were great examples of the working poor and the disappearing middle class.
I had never heard of Vlautin before this book, but will search out his other titles