Run

By: Ann Patchett

Narrated by: Peter Francis James

""Engaging, surprising, provocative and moving...a thoroughly intelligent book, an intimate domestic drama that nonetheless deals with big issues touching us all: religion, race, class, politics and, above all else, family."" -- Washington Post

From New York Times bestselling author Ann Patchett comes an engrossing story of one family on one fateful night in Boston where secrets are unlocked and new bonds are formed.

Since their mother's death, Tip and Teddy Doyle have been raised by their loving possessive and ambitions father. As the former mayor of Boston, Bernard Doyle wants to see is sons in politics, a dream the boys have never shared. But when an argument in a blinding New England snowstorm inadvertently causes an accident that involves a stranger and her child, all Bernard Doyle cares about is his ability to keep his children--all his children--safe.

Set over a period of twenty-four hours, Run takes us from the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard to a home for retired Catholic Priests in downtown Boston. It shows us how worlds of privilege and poverty can coexist only blocks apart from each other, and how family can include people you've never even met. As an in her bestselling novel, Bel Canto, Ann Patchett illustrates the humanity that connects disparate lives, weaving several stories into one surprising and endlessly moving narrative. Suspenseful and stunningly executed, Run is ultimately a novel about secrets, duty, responsibility, and the lengths we will go to protect our children.

©2007 Ann Patchett; (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers

Loose Ends

The story raised many political and humanitarian issues: racism and all of its negative effects on people of color - medical attention paid to Tennessee, allowing Kenya to remain behind at the scene of the accident and allowing Doyle to take Kenya home. All of these situations show how race “colors” our compassion. The book raises the questions. It is the readers’ job to strive for solutions.
I would have liked to know more about Sullivans - priest and son. Good book for discussion.

Not my favorite by this author

I had higher expectations for the author of Bel Canto and Truth and Beauty. I hesitated to buy her latest novel, but after listening to the Audible interview, I was intrigued. It was an ok story, but not my favorite. It was a bit slow, and I never really got attached to any of the characters. Patchett's gift for description was less apparent in this novel. It was a decent read, but not of the quality I expected from Ann Patchett.

Musical interludes

I found the musical interludes and the music chosen very irritating and jarring. While I understood the purpose, still I did not feel that they worked.

Peter Francis James brings this to life

Have you listened to any of Peter Francis James’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first "book on tape" and Peter Francis James was the perfect narrator. I can't imagine anyone else bringing these characters to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Great story—but music? Gak

Loved the story, but the performance was so wooden and the musical button between each chapter served only to jar me out of the story. It added NOTHING. I hated it. Please don’t ever do this again.