A book for these times of conspiracy theories and extremest militia cults. Jess Walter gives us a book of family and redemption. Here is my Book Review So Far Gone by Jess Walter.
Jess Walter
This is the third book I have read by Walter who is based in my home state of Washington. The thing I like about Walter is how varied the three books have been; Beautiful Ruines is about Hollywood in Italy post war; The Cold Millions is about class uprising in working class Spokane early 20th century. And now, So Far Gone, based in modern times (2016 when Trump is elected) of dealing with modern politics and problems.
Rhys Kinnick
Walter’s introduces us to a well thought out character, retired journalist Kinnick. Seven years earlier Kinnick had left the mainstream to live off the grid. Kinnick’s decision came after his daughter’s conspiracy theory husband goes too far with politics talk on Thanksgiving, and Kinnick punches him.
Kinnick moves to a family cabin from his childhood where he lives as a recluse, not seeing his daughter or two grand kids. During this time politics in the United States is turbulent with Trump, changing media and journalism standards, and far right groups like the Church of the Blessed Fire, the militia Christian church Kinnick’s son-in-law is in.
Disappearance
When a woman shows up on his remote cabin porch with two kids, Rhys doesn’t even recognize his two grand kids. This is when he learns his daughter has vanished, and the kids are now in his care. But something is afoul, and Rhys must figure it out. He will need to enlist the help of people from his past, not all of who he has left on good terms.
Book Review So Far Gone by Jess Walter
So Far Gone is a book of redemption, for a crotchety old man, who drinks too much and has an anger problem. But he loves his daughter and his grand kids, and he will learn they are worth fighting for. Walter gives us multiple fine characters in this novel (and introduces their view in separate chapters) and a plot that has some humor as well as fear. Though fiction, it feels very believable in a crazy world we are currently living in.
Not my favorite of the three Walter novels I have read, but a solid and engaging story that is compelling and beautifully written.
****Four stars for So Far Gone by Jess Walter. Thank you for reading my book review So Far Gone by Jess Walter. See last week’s book review Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
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