A Good Hard Look

A Novel

De: Ann Napolitano

Narrado por: Debra Monk

Duración: 11 h y 30 m

Resumen del Editor

From the New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful and Dear Edward, a novel set in Flannery O'Connor's hometown of Milledgeville, and a tragedy that forever alters the town and the author herself

"A wholly believable world shaped by duty, small pleasures, and fateful choices."—O, The Oprah Magazine

Forced by illness to leave behind a successful life in New York, literary icon Flannery O'Connor has returned to her family farm in the small town of Milledgeville, Georgia. With her health and time both limited, all she wants is to be left alone to write.

But Flannery's plans are soon upended by Melvin Whiteson, a banker from Manhattan who has recently married the town belle. Melvin is at loose ends with his new life; though he has every opportunity, he's not sure where to begin. Flannery knows exactly what she wants, but is running out of time. Through their unusual and clandestine friendship, both will come to reflect on the decisions they have made and the paths they have chosen.

Literary history and fiction gracefully intersect in this emotionally charged novel of small town Southern life, which asks us all to consider how we can live our lives to the fullest.

©2011 Ann Napolitano (P)2011 Penguin

Reseñas de la Crítica

“In A Good Hard Look, Ann Napolitano creates a fictional version of the life of the acclaimed southern writer that is as vibrantly colorful as the peacocks raised on the O’Connor family farm in Milledgeville, Georgia…Napolitano makes no attempt to mimic O’Connor’s singular style, but she does succeed in creating a wholly believable world shaped by duty, small pleasures, and fateful choices.”—O Magazine

“Napolitano’s protagonist is a marvelously outspoken, uncompromising force who becomes the impetus for several fictional Milledgeville residents to reassess and radically alter their lives…[Napolitano] has spun an absorbing, old-fashioned tale about how, as in Flannery O’Connor’s stories, ‘Grace changes a person….And change is painful.’”—The Washington Post

“To brand this a quaint period piece…would be doing Napolitano’s evocative tale of friendship and community a disservice.”—Entertainment Weekly

loved it but...

I enjoyed this book but was disappointed at the end felt like author was just too tired to finish would have loved a more final sentiment after getting to know the characters.. I will miss them all

A rare five star

I only read 4 1/2 stars and up, as a rule. I rarely give five stars. If I liked it, I give 4 stars and I usually don’t review books that I didn’t like a lot. I get five stars when a book is poignant and memorable and leaves a lasting impression. This book was amazing and brilliantly presented.

Amazing Story!

A really engrossing story superbly narrated. Really brought Flannery O’Connor to life. Fully dimensional in the character development.

Great

The story is good and it’s read well. Keeps you interested the whole way. Thanks.

Another excellent novel

I really enjoy Ann Napolitano’s books. The characters in this one pull you in and feel so real. I finished listening to it in 2 days!! Like all her books, this one is excellent.

Breathtaking

Extraordinarily powerful in its interweaving of divergent lives, hopes and heartbreaks. The narrator nailed each and every character and scene, totally honoring the powerful and deeply poignant story. Author and narrator together produced an unforgettable experience.

A rich satisfying read

All my senses and emotions were touched by this novel. It was wonderful and tragic.

Twisted

A main character, Flannery O’Connor is portrayed as an angry & frustrated & insightful writer whose illness results in a lack of sympathy for others. Her novels are harsh & include mean descriptions of characters drawn from her town. She’s envious of others “normal” lives while disdaining their superficiality. Her insights are intelligent & draw a good but needy man to her. The rest of the book describes the crashing down of characters lives regardless of their responsibilities or innocence.

A Very Good Read - Highly Recommend

“A Good Hard Look” was a very good read. This is a historical style novel about the life of Flannery O’Conner and the people she interfaced with during her life. If you are not familiar with Flannery O’Connor and her writings and perspective on life, it is a very good introduction. The author, Ann Napolitano has written a very insightful and readable novel. Experienced as an Audio book.

another beautiful rich story

her writing is smooth and rich. love her writing. also love flannery occur and this is the first time I saw another author in a book