Nobody's Fool

by Richard Russo
Nobody's Fool cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Contemporary Fiction
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 8981
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781952535192
  • Publisher: Atlantic Books
  • Published: 2017-01-05
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Nobody's Fool is a heartwarming and humorous tale set in a small, struggling town in upstate New York. The story revolves around Sully, a man who has spent his life making poor decisions and now finds himself facing the consequences. With a bum knee, a complicated love life, and a group of friends who are more trouble than they're worth, Sully's life takes an unexpected turn when his long-estranged son returns, threatening to follow in his father's footsteps. /n/n The novel is a testament to the power of grace and redemption, as Sully struggles to make amends for his past mistakes and help his son avoid the same pitfalls. With its witty dialogue and richly drawn characters, Nobody's Fool is a moving exploration of the human condition, filled with both laughter and tears.

Reviews
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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