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Title: Riven Rock by T. Coraghessan Boyle ISBN: 0-14-027166-X Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: January, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.91 (33 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A vastly entertaining, painful, tragic story
Comment: I must admit to a personal bias here: I am a gigantic fan of Mr. Boyle's. And while I haven't read every one of his books, I've blasted through a majority and loved every single page. When I saw this book in a store on a random wandering, I snatched it up, read the inside cover and prepared myself for what sounded like Boyle's best work to date. Unfortunately, I was a trifle disappointed, knocking this down to oh say number three of all I've read by him. But there much to admire here, from the glowing, crystal prose to the almost grotesque humor squeezed in between pages and pages of heart-rending sadness. The basic plot, taken very loosely from an actual historical incident, revolves around the handsome, wealthy, Stanley McCormick and the lovely, brilliant (and also wealthy upper class early 20th century) Katherine Dexter, who meet in 1904, fall in love and, after a few hitches, are married. But Stanley is very ill, mentally that is, and he pops over the edge from so many different things you know everything that follows will be a disaster. Stanley has deep sexual problems and before the anticipant, virginal Katherine can be defrocked, Stanley is carted off to the nuthouse, prescribed to never set eyes on women. This lasts for more than twenty years with Katherine being essentially faithful (spending most of her time as a leading spokesperson for the Sufferage movement and other women's right's causes) and hoping that one day Stanley will return to her. The story also focuses on Eddie O'Kane, Stanley's faithful nurse through all his years of institutionalization and his highs and lows and shattered dreams and shattered bones and the whole mess he's made of his life by thinking his natural charm and wit and good luck will be enough for him to always have everything he ever wants. Eddie's tale is a downward spiral, and endless fall into unhappiness, abondonment, alcoholism and financial ruin, all the while trying diligently and sincerely to look after his insane employer and friend. The only complaint I could possibly lob at this wonderful book has to do with Boyle's writing style, something that has been so successful in the past and still is a pleasure to behold. Ever since World's End(1987), Boyle's stories have gotten more serious, I don't want to say more mature, but perhaps there isn't an adaquete word to express this idea. His earliest work was more like bawdy farce and broad satire, but his latest (The Road to Wellville, The Tortilla Curtain, Without a Hero) have been much sadder, stories where you sort of hope things will turn out all right for everyone. In his earlier work, the characters were either such over-the-top morons or such pathetic losers, hell, what should they expect? But his style has always been sharp and funny and very witty. In this book, perhaps a more overall serious tone would have worked better and enhanced the feeling of tragedy. But, then again, this obviously wasn't Boyle's intention and who am I to question his style when the book is such a success?
Rating: 3
Summary: All wind-up and no pitch
Comment: Too bad I can't give separate stars for writing and for story. The writing is excellent and rates five stars: well observed, smooth. But the plot! Where is it? The same things happen over and over. There is simply no building action, no change in any of the characters. McCormick begins insane and remains insane; Katherine begins loyal and remains loyal; and O'Kane begins as a drunk and a wife beater and ends as a drunk and a wife beater. No one grows or learns a single thing. So what if this is based on a true story? Maybe it's "too true to be good." I've read Boyle before. I really enjoyed only "The Tortilla Curtain" all the way through. He either goes on too long (World's End) or makes too much fun of his characters (East is East). I think I've read my last.
Rating: 5
Summary: Absolutely Engaging!
Comment: I had read "The Tortilla Curtain" with my book group and was intrigued by T.C. Boyle's style of writing. Riven Rock was such an adventure into the strange world and lives of the Stanley McCormick family. I loved how he wove two historical figures into this fictional story full of such a range of emotions. This book kept me totally captivated. I enjoyed each character and can't wait to read "The Road to Wellville" next!
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Title: A Friend of the Earth by T. Coraghessan Boyle ISBN: 0141002050 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 28 August, 2001 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: The Tortilla Curtain by T. Coraghessan Boyle ISBN: 014023828X Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: September, 1996 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Drop City by T. Coraghessan Boyle, Boyle T C. ISBN: 0670031720 Publisher: Viking Press Pub. Date: 24 February, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: The Road to Wellville by T. Coraghessan Boyle ISBN: 0140167188 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: May, 1994 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: East Is East (Contemporary American Fiction) by T. Coraghessan Boyle ISBN: 0140131671 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: August, 1991 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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