Ironweed: A Novel

Finally, a Pulitzer I enjoyed! The harsh realities for Francis and Helen really puts the reader into their situation, as grim as it is. But yet Francis still maintains a positive attitude, something many could not. Loved the authentic language throughout; it really sold it.

IRONWEED by William J. Kennedy was the latest selection for a book club I've recently joined. The premise of the club is to read a novel and then view the movie (at the group meeting) that was based on the novel. As I expected, the movie paled in comparison to the book, despite the screenplay being written by Kennedy himself. Jack Nicholson plays the main character (Francis) and Meryl Streep is his "wanna be" socialite girlfriend (Helen), but this star power doesn't elevate the story beyond what Kennedy had already done in the novel.Set during the "Great Depression," IRONWEED is a great look at the underbelly of society: drunks, homeless, impoverished, and in that regard the story is timeless. I enjoyed the characters' quirkiness and the loosely connected plots, but more significantly to me were the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and love. The love aspect may be hard to spot, but it is there, unconventionally, in many of the character's interactions.This favorable recommendation comes with a warning: it can be a depressing read, definitely not a happy one, and while I found it inspirational, it will not conjure any blithe emotions. IRONWEED is definitely not a June beach read, being more apropos to a long winter night, indoor, by a warm fire.

The characters were very 3 dimensional and clearly communicated. The style of the story telling was enjoyable and easy to read. Very illustrative, much like Earnest Hemmingway's or Steinbeck's characters.

THIS WAS A FASCINATING LOOK AT DEPRESSION ERA ALBANY - THE CHARACTERS THAT DWELLED THERE. KENNEDY'S WRITING STYLE HAD ME ENGROSSED ALL THROUGHOUT THE BOOK. MERYL STREEP SINGING "HE'S ME PAL" WAS ABSOLUTELY UNFORGETTABLE. (SAW THE MOVIE TOO) I LIKED THIS BOOK SO WELL I BOUGHT TWO OF KENNEDY'S OTHER BOOKS....FRANK - SAN CLEMENTE, CA

Mostly very slow moving. I read it because I wanted insight into how an alcoholic thought. I really didn’t gain much insight. Maybe gained some empathy for street people.

At 225 pages (a short 225 pages at that, with large type), this Pulitzer Prize winner can best be classified as a novella. It can be easily read in one sitting. Part of a series of short novels from the same era and featuring many of the same characters, it is the tale of a down and out, former baseball player, Francis Phelan, who turned to drink after the death of his infant son. Set in the depths of the Great Depression, the imagery and descriptive writing is excellent.Throughout the novel, Francis is beset by flashbacks and visits from ghosts of his checkered past, many of whom met their ends as a result of Francis's actions. A former streetcar conductor, with a wife and family, Francis fled his home in Albany following his murder of a strike breaking scab. A decade later, he returns to Albany, living on the streets as a "bum", with his common law wife, Helen, and a ragged collection of homeless winos.This is a very well written, powerful story. I do wonder, however, if many of the superlatives being accorded this short work are because it is a Pulitzer winner and not the other way around. I suspect that given this book to peruse, without awareness that it won the Pulitzer, most would acknowledge that it is a nice, little six hour read. That is pretty much how I found it.

You may have seen the movie. You may feel it evokes Albany, NY. But reading this gave me insight into the mind of my own homeless alcoholic, my younger brother.Like the protaganist, my brother doesn't have to be homeless. But the requirements of the straight life are just too much.Why would anyone choose this? How can my brother prefer sleeping outside in the cold, being dirty and hungry? He had a good job, was a homeowner, a husband, is still a father and grandfather.William Kennedy has given me a clue. I'll never really get it, but Ironweed got me closer.

I am on a quest to read all novels that have won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. IRONWEED is one of my favorites of the novels I have read so far. One passage from the book continues to speak to me: "If you love something well enough...you will die for it; for when we love with all our might, our silly little selves are already dead and we have no more fear of dying."

A book that perfectly encapsulates the seedier side of depression era Americana. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent with the bums, misfits, and dowtrodden, beautiful souls it portrays 👍

excellent

Arrived in good time also good quality book very pleased. ...

This was a selection for my book club. It has been our highest rated book so far out of 15 or so. It tells the story of a man facing the ghosts of his past and trying to gain some measure of peace. There are some truly touching moments, and I enjoyed it even better the second time I read it. Solid thumbs up.

Purtroppo non l'ho potuto leggere e quindi non posso fare alcun commento. Direi tuttavia che dal sito non era chiaro che il libro era in inglese