Customer Reviews

I'll Never Be Long Gone: A Novel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'll Never Be Long Gone is Greene's second novel after the subtle and excellent Mirror Lake. I'll Never Be Long Gone is a gem of a book and Greene manages to seamlessly balance an intriguing story of familial bonds and betrayal with fluid and beautifully cadenced prose. Comparisons to books like Plainsong or Peace Like a River are well deserved. While the subject matter of Greene's novel differs his story does share the same sensibilities and he succeeds in creating the same depth in his characters. Greene is also a master of smaller moments, those scenes or passages that build the characters without ever seeming anecdotal. There are numerous paragraphs that beg to be read over and over for their skill and fluidity. The restaurant /culinary dimension of the novel radiates throughout, anchors it to some extent but never takes the edge off of this powerful and biblical tale. Greene has delivered on the promise of Mirror Lake and leaves me wondering what he'll do next. Whatever it is, I'll be hitting the bookstore as soon as it's released.

I'll Never Be Long Gone demonstrates Mr. Greene's steady progress as a novelist. His characters are well developed, and he shows considerable creativity and power in his use of descriptive language. The subtext of cooking I found particularly enjoyable, and it imbued the work with passion and detail. My one regret came at the conclusion. I wished there had been more closure to the relationships. Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. I am looking forward to Mr. Greene's next novel.

Mr. Greene's second novel shares many similarities with his first effort. His writing is poetic and compelling and his themes of love, betrayal, and understanding resonate throughout. This time around, Greene has created a wonderfully believeable setting in a samll restaurant where much of the drama occurs. He achieves a great deal through his dramatic descriptions of setting, and his cooking scenes literally made my mouth water. He describes the ruggedness and beauty of the Vermont landscape like few before him. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to more work from this gifted young novelist.

Green writes beautifully about love and loss, family, food, and the hills of Vermont. Reminded me of PLAINSONG with its understated language and the strong sense of character. One of the best novels I've read this year.

I bought this book after reading a glowing review in the LA Times. After reading it, I believe the reviewer wrote his review using the jacket of the book because both state that this book is a story of love, loss, betrayal, etc.

It's not. This book is a romance - and not a very good one. It starts out when the father dies and leaves his home and restaurant to one son - the other son gets only a little money - so he takes off.

So the son who is left loves to cook and does well with the restaurant. He is lonely though and has never had a girlfriend unlike the brother who left who did really well with the ladies. So the brother's old girlfriend becomes a chef too and applies for a job and he falls in love with her. Of course he can't tell her because he is too shy so he is extra harsh on her instead. Predictably, they finally get together and then suddenly, he is transformed into the perfect mate. He can sense without her saying a word her every mood and need - this from a man who has never had a girlfriend - yeah right.

Then the girlfriend is the one who gets uncomfortable when he asks her to marry him, she gets doubts and cold feet so we think okay there is going to be a problem with the wedding - but no. They get married, everything's fine. THen she gets pregnant is worried she won't love her child - again more foreshadowing of problems to come. But no, the baby comes and everything is fine. The whole book is like that - the author sets up problems and tension but never follows through. Even when the wandering brother comes back and finds his girlfriend married to his brother - nothing much happens.

I admit the writing is good - it's just the plot and characters that could have used some more work.

Dottie is dotty. Off her nut. This is a magnificent piece of fiction; Greene's masterful brushstrokes paint a rich portrait of one of the most beautiful parts of the world, and into this scene he weaves complex, if not horny, characters in the classic romantic/tragic mold. The Washington Post reviewer is clearly a frustrated (unpublished) author with too-ready access to a thesaurus. I am recommending this book to anyone who will listen. 5 stars, dottie. Snap!