Kate’s 2¢: “Chances Are…” by Richard Russo

“Chances Are…” by Richard Russo

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   I like the way Russo presented the  biographies of the three boys, now  66, each in their own tern. Of course, the narrative arc begs to lead us to wonder what the heck happened to Jacy  44 years ago. Eventually, the conclusion is revealed  during this reunion of three of the  four Musketeers.

From Wikipedia:

   Russo was born in Johnstown, New York, and raised in nearby Gloversville. He earned a bachelor’s degree, a Master of Fine Arts degree, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Arizona, which he attended from 1967 through 1979.[1] The subject of his doctoral dissertation was the works of the early American writer, historian and editor Charles Brockden Brown[2]

   Russo was teaching in the English department at Southern Illinois University Carbondale when his first novel, Mohawk, was published, in 1986. Much of his work is semi-autobiographical, drawing on his life from his upbringing in upstate New York to his time teaching literature at Colby College (subsequently retired).[3]

   His 2001 novel Empire Falls received the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. He has written seven other novels, a collection of short stories, and a memoir (Elsewhere). His short story “Horseman” was published in The Best American Short Stories 2007 edited by Stephen King and Heidi Pitlor.

   Russo co-wrote the 1998 film Twilight with the director Robert Benton. Benton adapted Russo’s Nobody’s Fool as a 1994 film of the same title, starring Paul Newman, which he also directed. Russo wrote the teleplay for the HBO adaptation of Empire Falls, the screenplay for the 2005 film Ice Harvest, and the screenplay for the 2005 Niall Johnson film Keeping Mum, which starred Rowan Atkinson.

   Russo and his wife, Barbara, live in Portland, Maine,[4][5]and spend winters in Boston.[6] They have two daughters, Kate and Emily.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:Chances are… DB95855

Russo, Richard. Reading time: 11 hours, 19 minutes.

Read by Fred Sanders. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Suspense Fiction

General

Real estate broker Lincoln, tiny-press publisher Teddy, and musician Mickey gather on Martha’s Vineyard for Memorial Day weekend–as they have since 1971, when the woman they all loved, Jacy, disappeared. But this weekend reveals the secrets each man has kept. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.

Downloaded: April 18, 2020

Kate’s 2¢: “The book woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson

“The book woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson

Kate’s 2¢: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as,     describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares my thoughts about what I read.  I’m just saying…

   What an interesting story?! I didn’t know about the blue skin and that it seems to have originated with a French Huguenot who came the the United States to claim a land grant, met a red-haired women who also haad the recessive missing gene enzyme.

   The prejudices of the mountain people included not only the Blacks, but the Blues.

   This fast paced story that also high-lights the Pack Horse Library has a sad, though, hopeful ending. I’d recommend this book  to you.

www.kimmichelerichardson.com/about

NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, Kim Michele Richardson, has written four works of historical fiction, and a bestselling memoir, The Unbreakable Child. Her latest multi-award winning novel, The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a NYT and USA TODAY bestseller and has earned a 2019 LibraryReads Best Book award, Forbes Best Historical Novel, Book-A-Million Best Fiction, and is an Oprah’s Buzziest Books pick and a Women’s National Book Association award winner.

   Kim Michele Richardson lives in Kentucky and resides part-time in Western North Carolina. She has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, building houses, and is an advocate for the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence, partnering with the U.S. Navy globally to bring awareness and education to the prevention of domestic violence.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The book woman of Troublesome Creek DB95243

Richardson, Kim Michele. Reading time: 9 hours, 28 minutes.

Read by Katie Schorr. A production of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress.

Historical Fiction

Kentucky, 1936. Nineteen-year-old Cussy Mary Carter has been working as part of the Pack Horse Library Project, but her father hopes she’ll marry–despite the family trait of blue skin. In addition to her father’s hopes, Cussy must also face the prejudice of the community she serves. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.

The sisters of Glass Ferry DBC08467

Richardson, Kim Michele. Reading time: 8 hours, 59 minutes.

Read by Marilyn Rodgers. A production of Kentucky Talking Book Library.

Historical Fiction

Family

1952, Glass Ferry, KY. Flannery Butler has to work on Prom night, while her twin sister Patsy leaves for the dance escorted by her boyfriend, the sheriff’s son. The couple never return home. Twenty years later, an old, sunken car is found in the Kentucky River. Flannery’s reaction, along with that of the current sheriff, starts a chain of events that exposes long-held secrets involving loss, bourbon distilling, and retribution. 2017. Some strong language and violence.

Liar’s bench DBC15906

Richardson, Kim Michele. Reading time: 8 hours, 43 minutes.

Read by Norma Rash. A production of Kentucky Talking Book Library.

Historical Fiction

Mystery and Detective Stories

Family

1972, Peckinpaw KY. Mudas Summers lives with her father, while her mother is involved in an abusive marriage. The day Mudas turns seventeen, her mother is found hanged and the sheriff rules it a suicide. Mudas knows her mother would never kill herself, and suspects her stepfather. She and her new boyfriend try to discover the truth and become exposed to dangerous and corrupt men, as well as racism and ramifications from a 100-year-old crime. Contains some strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2015.