The Free Luisterboek Tooltip Luisterboeken beluister je met de bol.com Kobo app. A Novel

Geschreven bij The Free Lib/E

How to review such a magnificent book? By referring to growing inequality in the US, now a land of limited opportunities? By saying it is anti-war and that the US government neglects its wrecked war survivors? Or as a companion book to Beverly Gologorsky’s “Stop Here” , also anti-war, describing the lives of 5 co-workers, their boss and friends and relatives at a Long Island, NY diner? Some themes return in “The Free” where people also live from one pay check to another, face broken families, crippling medical bills despite insurance, drive old cars, work night shifts or two jobs to care for others... It also repeats her disgust about sending poorly-trained National Guard men to Iraq.
Situated in a small town in the Northwest, its main characters are Leroy, Pauline and Freddy. Leroy does not speak a word in the novel, but his dreams and hallucinations in hospital-- inspired by his favourite reading matter, SF—are an integral part, chronologically and in italics. They concern an epic effort to save his girlfriend Jeannette from evil US armed forces and vigilantes right into Canada: after being wounded in Iraq, Leroy has spent seven years as a mute paraplegic in an institution. One night, he believed he could think normally again, but he panics (it cannot last!) and tries to kill himself.
He was found by night caretaker Freddy and rushed to hospital, where Freddy visits him every night before starting his shift. Freddy’s day shift is running a paint store. Readers must read his dramas, dreams, and struggles for themselves. Pauline is one of the nurses checking up on Leroy repeatedly during her rounds. She has a great bedside manner with the sick and despairing, but is fiercely independent privately. Again, I refuse to be a spoiler.
Rich novel with many other well described characters about true humanity and warmth in stressful times. Re-readable and perfect for reading groups. Highly recommended.

Geschreven bij Free

Prachtig boek waarin de levens van diverse personen met elkaar verweven raken.