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Elsewhere
Elsewhere | Richard Russo
3 posts | 8 read | 14 to read
A" Washington Post" Notable Work of NonfictionAn NPR Best Book of 2012 Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Richard Russo turns to memoir in this hilarious and bittersweet account of his lifelong bond with his high-strung, spirited mother--and the small town she spent her life trying to escape. Anyone familiar with Russo's novels will recognize Gloversville--once famous for producing nine out of ten dress gloves in the United States. By the time Rick was born, ladies had stopped wearing gloves and Gloversville was on its way out. Jean Russo instilled in her son her dream of a better life elsewhere, a dream that prompted her to follow him across the country when he went to college. Their adventures and tribulations on that road trip were a preview of the hold his mother would continue to have on him as she kept trying desperately to change her life. Recounted with a clear-eyed mix of regret, nostalgia, and love, "Elsewhere" is a stirring tribute to the tenacious grip of the past.
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Megabooks
Elsewhere | Richard Russo
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Last week, Ann Patchett recommended Russo‘s memoir of his life with his mother. It‘s a very relatable tale for those who have a parent who is codependent with mental illness and anxiety. But you can also feel the genuine affection he feels for his mom and empathy for the scarcity mindset her childhood during the Great Depression brought. It wasn‘t a home run for me, but a worthy #BorrowNotBuy. The audio is great! 👍🏻👍🏻

AvidReader25 I saw her video recommended it! I enjoyed this one a few years ago. 1y
Megabooks @AvidReader25 yes! It was a really enjoyable memoir. The other memoir she recommended I gave 5⭐️ to. Her recs are generally quite good. 5⭐️ memoir ➡️ (edited) 1y
Leftcoastzen I‘ve been meaning to read it for years 1y
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BarbaraBB He is such an observant writer, I have no doubt his memories will be too. 1y
Cinfhen Definitely will look to borrow this one!! 1y
Megabooks @Leftcoastzen it‘s definitely worth reading! 1y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB I have not read him before, but I‘ve wanted to read Empire Falls since @Cinfhen reviewed it last year. I hope you enjoy this one too C! 1y
Cinfhen Empire Falls was SOOOOO GOOD!!! 1y
BarbaraBB Empires Falls is a book you‘ll love Meg! I also really loved 1y
AvidReader25 @Megabooks I‘ll have to read that one too! 1y
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Reviewsbylola
Elsewhere | Richard Russo
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This was a little different than I was expecting. I wanted a memoir focusing on growing up in a small town, which the beginning touched on. It then morphed into a memoir about Russo's mother, their relationship, and her idiosyncrasies. Eventually at the end it even dealt with mental illness and its effects. There was quit w a lot to touch on and truthfully, it was difficult to like Russo's mom. I'm anxious to read more of his books now.

emilyhaldi This doesn‘t really draw me in 🤷🏻‍♀️ 7y
Cinfhen Any similarities to 7y
Reviewsbylola No, not in my opinion. @Cinfhen 7y
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Reviewsbylola I read it as an ebook and it kept my interest, so that's a plus. It wasn't the most memorable memoir I've ever read. 7y
Kaye I‘ve been eyeing this one for awhile. Russo is a favorite fiction writer. My favorite is a really old one 7y
Reviewsbylola I need to read some of his books! I have Empire Falls but I will check that one out too. @kaye 7y
Kaye @reviewsbylola That‘s the first one of his I read and really liked it. You can definitely see the advanced way he writes from the first book I mentioned to the second which was quite a bit later in his career. All his books are really good. See below. I messed up this post. (edited) 7y
Kaye Sorry. I didn‘t get both books in the post. First book is 7y
Kaye Second in that set is 7y
Mdargusch Sounds interesting but depressing. 7y
Reviewsbylola The mom is a total asshole. But then after she dies, Russo concludes she suffered from OCD. So at that point I tried to empathize with her, but it was hard. @Mdargusch 7y
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AmyWrites
Elsewhere | Richard Russo
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Everyone's been posting about Richard Russo lately so I thought I would share my pick. I loved this memoir about Russo's relationship with his mother...their mother-son bond was complicated in a very human way.

Gulfsidemusing Just finished a Russo novel today. Would love to read this memoir! 8y
BB1958 Russo's memoir comes to mind every Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there- my 87 year old mom will be with us next weekend to see her youngest granddaughter graduate high school. 8y
AmyWrites @BB1958 how wonderful! Enjoy your time together! 8y
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