Preview
  • Somebody's Fool

  • A Novel
  • By: Richard Russo
  • Narrated by: Mark Bramhall
  • Length: 16 hrs and 13 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (185 ratings)

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Somebody's Fool

By: Richard Russo
Narrated by: Mark Bramhall
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Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Empire Falls returns to North Bath, in upstate New York, and to the characters that captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of readers in his beloved best sellers Nobody’s Fool and Everybody’s Fool.

“Sumptuous, spirited . . . [Russo] paints a shining fresco of a working-class community...” —The New York Times • "Another instant classic, filled with Russo's witty dialogue and warm understanding of human foibles." —People Magazine

Ten years after the death of the magnetic Donald “Sully” Sullivan, the town of North Bath is going through a major transition as it is annexed by its much wealthier neighbor, Schuyler Springs. Peter, Sully’s son, is still grappling with his father’s tremendous legacy as well as his relationship to his own son, Thomas, wondering if he has been all that different a father than Sully was to him.

Meanwhile, the towns’ newly consolidated police department falls into the hands of Charice Bond, after the resignation of Doug Raymer, the former North Bath police chief and Charice’s ex-lover. When a decomposing body turns up in the abandoned hotel situated between the two towns, Charice and Raymer are drawn together again and forced to address their complicated attraction to one another. Across town, Ruth, Sully’s married ex-lover, and her daughter Janey struggle to understand Janey’s daughter, Tina, and her growing obsession with Peter’s other son, Will. Amidst the turmoil, the town’s residents speculate on the identity of the unidentified body, and wonder who among their number could have disappeared unnoticed.

Infused with all the wry humor and shrewd observations that Russo is known for, Somebody's Fool is another classic from a modern master.

©2023 Richard Russo (P)2023 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

“Sumptuous, spirited . . . Regarding North Bath, Richard Russo saved his best for last . . . [Russo] paints a shining fresco of a working-class community, warts and all, a 30-year project come to fruition in this last, best book.” The New York Times

“The ‘Fool’ books nail that small town vibe, where everybody thinks they know everybody’s else’s business, and more importantly, cares about what happens to their neighbors . . . Fans of the previous two novels will enjoy reconnecting with familiar characters, from Ruth and her daughter Janay and granddaughter Tina, to Doug Raymer, no longer North Bath’s police chief and he-hopes-still-his-girlfriend Charice.” –The Associated Press


“A wise and witty drama of small-town life . . . delivering the generous humor, keen ear for dialogue, and deep appreciation for humanity’s foibles that have endeared the author to his readers for decades. Though Sully is gone, his world is alive and well.” Publishers Weekly

What listeners say about Somebody's Fool

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Outstanding

I absolutely loved this book . The narrator was perfect for the charters . I highly recommend it .

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Sully's World Still Spinning. Thank Goodness.

I don't think of Russo as a series author, like, say, Robertson Davies, but having just been transported by this 3rd of a now-trilogy and feeling the glow, am so grateful he makes an exception for Sully's legacy.

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It’s not pronounced Al Bennie

Good so far. But Mark, please learn how to pronounce Albany. It’s not pronounced Al Bennie.

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Old Friends

Listening to Somebody’s Fool felt like reuniting with old friends you may not have seen for awhile, but once together, it’s as if no time has passed and not a beat missed. Selfishly, I hope this is not the conclusion of the North Bath series, but if so, what a way to draw the curtains. Bravo, Mr. Russo…..

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Another great Russo book

The characters are flawed and interesting and funny. The writing is tight. Terrific performance by the reader. I can’t wait for the next one.

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Perfect!

I couldn't love this book more. Richard Russo is a masterful storyteller and this book was worth the wait.

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I did not want it to end

Wasn’t sure it would be as good as Nobody’s Fool and Everybody’s Fool without Sully but it was just as heartwarming. Love Richard Russo’s writing, he makes these flawed quirky people and the town of Bath seem real. Narrator was fantastic.

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Vintage Russo

Have long loved Russo’s books. His characters are so complex and richly drawn and his writing so beautiful. In this one, Russo jump cuts between one person’s interior monologue and another’s. The relationships between mothers and daughters and fathers and sons over several generations are so emotionally fragile yet inextricably intertwined. It’s heartbreaking and hopeful at the same. What to do when it seems there’s no good solution to a situation to quote the late Sully: “Then at least try SOMETHING, And, if that doesn’t work, try something else.” I love this book.

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grand finale

A book that can make you laugh and cry is a treasure. Linger over this one, the end comes too soon.

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Loved the narration

Always a great read by Richard Russo. Story was great even if you never read the two previous covers about this same cast of characters

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