Customer Reviews

The Good Neighbor (P.S.)

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

 

 

I've read all of William Kowalski's novels since he immediately became one of my favorite contemporary American authors with his stunning debut, "Eddie's Bastard".
"The Good Neighbor" is a surprisingly accomplished and mature work for an author of Kowalski's still young age and marks a departure point for him. While his earlier books seem written from overpowering talent and passion, "The Good Neighbor" is clearly the work of an author who has grown into conscious mastery of his craft. While his prose is as expressive and flows as effortlessly as ever, "The Good Neighbor's" plot is masterfully constructed, and every element of the story falls into place with the precision of a Swiss clockwork. The characters are alive and drawn with astounding psychological accuracy, particularly Francie, the unlikely hero of the novel. Kowalski is not preoccupied with the fleeting moments of pop-culture. Instead he is an author of substance, concerned with the humanity of his characters in which we all recognize ourselves. In the case of "the Good Neighbor" is Francie Hart's courageous and inspiring story of self-discovery that will leave no one untouched.

The Good Neighbor by William Kowalski is a new on 'the top of the list' list. This was such a fun book, from the front jacket design to the pages inside.

The book is set in NYC and PA. You instantly are drawn into the world of Francine and Colt Hart.
They take a drive to the country, and pass a house that they both fall in love with at the same time. Francie and Colt express the wish to buy the house to each other, and they do. Francine, a stale poet, who feels drawn to the house, as if it was another person, and hopes to live her full time and write again. Colt, a stock broker, loves the feel of the house as his newest show piece at work, his country home.

This book is so well written, the writing is smooth and flawless. The plot is seamless, as you learn about Francie and Colt Hart, their new neighbors who are descendents of the houses' original owners. There is love, mystery, growth and rescue from the depth of our inner selves.

I am looking forward to reading more of William Kowalski's books!

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, the author effectively uses a historical backstory to add interest and to enhance the plot, but on the other, the present-day characters are unlikeable and their seem fairly stereotypical. Francie and Colt Hart have been married for 7 years, but their bickering has become commonplace. On a rare weekend drive from their home in NYC to the "country"--aka rural Pennsylvannia--they spy an old house with which they both fall in love: Francie, because it appeals to the poet within, and Colt, because it is a status symbol. They purchase the house and prepare to move in, but they soon find themselves in trouble with Francie's brother, a new neighbor, and a long-lost relative of Colt's as well.

Francie, Colt, and Francie's brother Michael are all irritating characters; it is difficult to root for any one of them in this story. Each experiences a transformation that is not quite believable given the circumstnaces. This is even more true for their neighbor, Randy, who acts in a manner which is completely out of character--although this is acknowledged within the book, it still seems unreasonable. More interesting and engaging are the house's original occupants, the Musgroves, who built Adencourt one hundred and fifty years before. The author weaves the tale of the Musgroves into that of the Harts through occasional "historical digressions" as well as hints sprinkled throughout the house. This aspect makes the novel readable, making the book worthwhile for the patient and tolerant reader.

My mate John down at the Hamilton Place Bookstore in Mount Waverley lent me this book to read and I was totally mesmerized by this novel. It is about a yuppie married couple Francie and Coltraine who buy an old house in the country. Francie wants the house as a permanent residence but Colt just wants it as a place to impress his work collegues. The characters in this book then evolve slowly leading to a very believable climax. This book is about regaining lost hope and redemption. Thanks a lot John for loaning me this book!William Kowalski Rocks!

I enjoyed the story and historical references. However, the characters, especially the wife, are not fully developed and the ending was disappointing.