Nobody's Fool

by Richard Russo
Nobody's Fool cover
Good Books rating 4.38
Contemporary Fiction
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 8981
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9781952535192
  • Publisher: Atlantic Books
  • Published: 2017-01-05
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo is a heartwarming and humorous tale set in a small, down-on-its-luck town in upstate New York. The story revolves around Sully, a man who has made a habit of doing the wrong thing for most of his life. Despite his numerous flaws and a bum knee, Sully finds himself facing a new challenge: his long-estranged son is about to follow in his father's footsteps. /n/n With its sly and uproarious humor, Nobody's Fool explores the unexpected workings of grace in both the town and Sully's life. The novel is a testament to Russo's storytelling prowess, offering a generous and moving look at humanity's follies and triumphs.

Reviews
Reddit - r/books · 2026-01-04
loved 4.50

The book is loved for its delightful, funny, and earthy narrative, with well-received pacing. It is compared favorably to the works of John Irving, with some readers finding it even better.

The Reddit reviewer absolutely loved 'Nobody's Fool', comparing it favorably to John Irving's works and finding it even better in some aspects. The narrative is delightful, funny, and earthy, making it an engaging read. The pacing is well-received, and the book's ability to bring small-town life to vivid detail is highly praised. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the book is evident, making it a standout recommendation.

Quick quotes

    Absolutely loved this book.

    It reminded me of John Irving, who I think is fantastic, but actually even better than him.

    The narrative is delightful, funny, and earthy, making it an engaging read.

Reddit - r/books · 2025-12-24
fantastic 4.75

The book is a fantastic read, reminiscent of John Irving's style but even better. It's a deeply empathetic and humorous novel that captures small-town life beautifully.

This Reddit user absolutely loved 'Nobody's Fool', comparing it favorably to John Irving's work but finding it even more engaging. They appreciated the novel's deep empathy and sharp humor, which together create a vivid portrait of small-town life. The reviewer found the characters to be richly drawn and the dialogue to be particularly memorable. The story's ability to balance humor and heartfelt moments makes it a standout read, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Quick quotes

    Absolutely loved this book. It reminded me of John Irving, who I think is fantastic, but actually even better than him.

    The book is a deeply empathetic and humorous novel that captures small-town life beautifully.

    The characters are richly drawn and the dialogue is particularly memorable.

Tumblr - John McManus Reads · John McManus · 2025-12-24
intriguing 4.00

The book blends romance and horror elements, creating a unique and twisted narrative. The story is engaging and keeps the reader hooked with its unusual combination of genres.

This reviewer found 'Nobody's Fool' to be a captivating blend of romance and horror, which makes for a unique reading experience. They appreciated the twisted nature of the relationship at the heart of the story, finding it both intriguing and unsettling. The book's ability to merge these genres seamlessly is one of its strongest points, making it a standout read. The reviewer also noted that the horror elements add a layer of complexity to the narrative, elevating it beyond a typical romance novel.

Quick quotes

    It's partially a romance – it is certainly a tale of a relationship, once that is twisted in ways – but the story also has elements of horror, including some...

    The book's ability to merge these genres seamlessly is one of its strongest points, making it a standout read.

    The horror elements add a layer of complexity to the narrative, elevating it beyond a typical romance novel.

The Times Literary Supplement · Benjamin Markovits · 2023-07-28
amusing 4.25

The novel's strength lies in its characters, who are amusing and engaging enough to make the plot less important. The story is a delightful exploration of small-town life and relationships.

Benjamin Markovits highlights that 'Nobody's Fool' is one of those long novels where the plot takes a backseat to the company of its characters. He found the characters to be amusing and engaging, making the reading experience enjoyable despite the lengthy narrative. The reviewer appreciated the novel's exploration of small-town life and the intricate relationships between its residents. The story's humor and heartfelt moments make it a memorable read, even if the plot is not the most compelling aspect.

Quick quotes

    It is one of those long novels in which the plot ultimately matters less than the company of its characters, who are amusing enough that you don't mind.

    The novel's strength lies in its characters, who are amusing and engaging enough to make the plot less important.

    The story is a delightful exploration of small-town life and relationships.

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