Run

  9 Reviews

Bernard Doyle has nurtured his three sons - brothers adopted twenty years earlier - since the death of his wife, Bernadette. One snowy evening, the middle son, Tip, is pushed out of the way of an on-coming vehicle by a woman, herself hit and badly injured. She turns out to be the boys' birth mother and who's been watching the boys for years, along with her eleven-year-old daughter, Kenya. The drama of a single day is given an unreal quality by the snow that curtails normal activity, as the characters struggle with their circumstances. [Larger font]

Comments from Groups

Beautiful, evocative writing, well-developed sympathetic characters... the group had all loved 'State of Wonder' by Ann Patchett. Christchurch 299

A very easy read. A gentleness in the prose, good characterisation. Considerable discussion about the ending...Masterton 004

This book created as much discussion as any we have had in awhile. Some could not accept it all - thought it didn't go anywhere - and others enjoyed its quirkiness and its portrayal of an unusual family and their love for each other. Palmerston 031

Most of us enjoyed it but felt the ending was a bit abrupt and could have been better. NewPlymouth 003

Reviews

KAIK 001

21-02-2024

We all enjoyed this book - thanks.

HAMIL 014

08-03-2019

Those who read the book enjoyed it, especially with the unusual twist to the plot. Those who didn't manage to finish it, regret not having done so. We had a good discussion and it led into all sorts of areas.

MORRI 002

08-03-2019

We all loved this book, and thought it beautifully written.

TAUP 006

08-03-2019

Mixed feelings about book. Several thought it was a bit slow, but most of us enjoyed the complex structure and the various ideas. Lots of wide-ranging discussion on politics, religions, afterlife, racism, family, guilt and death. Good notes and questions.

CHCH 225

08-03-2019

We all really enjoyed this book, and felt that Ann Patchett is a very skilled writer. Her characters were well developed and the book kept us enthralled. An easy read.

CLARK 001

08-03-2019

Muted enthusiasm. Great descriptions of characters/events, but not much depth to the story.

HAMIL 010

08-03-2019

Mixed feelings about this book. We noted that the author touched on a wide range of topics: age, race, family, education, ambition, adoption etc, but with no main theme. For some the ending was disappointing. However, the book provoked lively discussion, and agreement that it had many layers of thematic angles.

KAUKA 001

08-03-2019

We all enjoyed this. Plausible characters with distinct voices.

PIOPIO 001

03-03-2019

Our group loved the book although some found it a bit slow to 'get into'. A perfect book for the start of the year. An easy read with lots of little twists to the plot, adding intrigue. Characters were very likeable, and well portrayed. Good discussion generated. 'Refreshing' was one term used in describing the attitudes of the characters and tone of the book.