Jess Walter’s latest novel tells the story of Rhys Kinnick, a sad-hearted journalist who punches his son-in-law in the face at Thanksgiving, throws his cell phone out his car window, drops out of society, and goes off to live in the forest. The experience of reading So Far Gone reminded me of the not dissimilar experience of watching a Coen brothers movie such as The Big Lebowski or Fargo—odd ball characters, extreme situations, violence, and humor—often jumbled up together in the same scenes—in an overall story that somehow also manages to convey intelligence and love.
Walters is a master at building complicated characters in vivid, precise strokes. The characters in So Far Gone range from the struggling grandfather protagonist, to his charming grandchildren, his confused daughter, a group of religious zealot gun-toting conspiracy theorists, a bipolar retired cop, an old girlfriend with major attitude, his loyal friends Joanie and Brian, and other colorful characters Rhys meets along the way.
It’s a story about a crumbling America, about people lost and found, a world under siege, and ultimately about small miracles of healing magic fashioned by family and friendship. I found it refreshing, and touching, funny, sometimes outrageous, disturbing . . . and also an interesting look at the way some of us old dreamers and staunch believers in the ideals of fairness, justice, and a better future for all are feeling about and reacting to the twisted reality we now see laid out before us. So Far Gone is the perfect title for a book that describes us, now, today.
LakeArrowheadLadyWriter 
I love the Coen brothers’ films, this sounds like a book I would like to read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you like it! I really enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Thank you. Seems like my kind of book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoy it, Gloria! ❤️
LikeLike
“…refreshing, and touching, funny, sometimes outrageous, disturbing…”
My kind of book, Lori! Thank you so much for the recommendation!
Sending hugs to you. 🥰💕🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugs, Vicki!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Received! Xo! 🥰❤️🥰
LikeLike
I’d never heard of her before. Thanks for the review. The book sounds really good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somehow I missed reading his previous books which were well reviewed so I may go back and read them. So Far Gone got my attention when it came to my library and I was typing up the summary for cataloging. I really enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
it does sound Coen-ish and like what we’re currently living through, I’m in!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let me know what you think, Beth. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do –
LikeLike
You’ve convinced me to add this to my list. Thank you for the review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoy it!
LikeLike
Wow, Lori – what a powerful description. I hope it has a good ending – and that this era finds a good one too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen to that, Wynne!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds realistically depressing. Is it, Lori?
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi, Mary! There are certainly depressing aspects, but the humor and sprinkling of sweet personality and genuine love carried it forward for me. I felt satisfied at the end. I have no idea actually how it might affect other readers. I don’t know anyone else personally who has read it! It is definitely a bit weird. 😌
LikeLiked by 1 person