Valet Reader

Run by Ann Patchett

After having read Bel Canto I had numerous people recommend Run to me and proclaim that it was their favorite of Ann Patchett’s novels. My mom thinks otherwise, she liked The Magicians Assistant. But, what kind of son would I be if I actually went along with something my mother recommended? (Note: In actuality I go along with her recommendations frequently, I am a proverbial “good son.”)

I had definitely expected this story to be more of a plot driven story akin to Bel Canto but was pleasantly surprised when it was not. Instead it’s more of what I consider to be an emotional character study. Patchett’s determined style of setting up each character to be defined as she wills, is really quite powerful. Although I found the story to be somewhat uninteresting, the characters themselves easily made up for this.

What Patchett was able to pull off so seamlessly in Bel Canto she replicated in Run. By this I simply imply that she manages to place in a single room the most unsuspecting of characters to be juxtaposed. Bernard Doyle, widower and former mayor of Boston, has three sons, two of which who by all appearances would not seem to be his own. When the family is re-united under duress and a young girl named Kenya is thrust on their family it is apparent that this girl may be more a part of their family than they had imagined.

The characters all have very distinct interests which would, in most normal circumstances, set them up for conflict. Yet, their devotion to another and individual introspection during this period of their life helps to display their true adoration for one another. Teddy and Tip, Mr. Doyle’s unassuming son’s are respectively an aspiring priest and a Harvard scholar. Sullivan, the displaced son who is blamed for ruining his father’s political career has reentered his family’s life after resurfacing from an extended stay in Africa. And Kenya, the young girl, is an athlete and innocent mind. Of course there are others who also make an impact on the story but these characters really are the focus of the novel.

Ultimately it is a story of change, growth and a family coming together under the most unusual of circumstances. Race is certainly an aspect of the story which without would change the entire novel but for the most part it is just on the periphery of the readers mind.

I can certainly understand why those who recommended this book to me enjoyed it. Personally, I found Bel Canto to be more enjoyable but I think that’s due to the fact that I found that particular story more enteraining. I will say that the character development and growth in this work is certainly more powerful but that is not to persuade my liking of one more than the other.

Holy crap. This may very well be one of my most sincere reviews ever. I have yet to inject any humor into it. I think I may just leave it as it is, there really isn’t much room for it in a review of a book such as this one.