July, July - Softcover

O’Brien, Tim

3.48

3,818 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007132441 ISBN 13: 9780007132447

Publisher: Flamingo, 2003

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

At a thirty-year reunion, a group of old friends tell the story of their lives – and the story of a generation – in this brilliant new novel from one of America’s most celebrated writers.

What happened to all those hopes and ideals? After thirty years, a group of friends are reunited in their old college gymnasium for a weekend of dancing and drinking, reminiscence and revelation. A mop manufacturer and a bigamist, a war veteran and a trophy wife, a glamour model and a defrocked priest – each character has an extraordinary tale to tell in the compelling new novel from former National Book Award-winner Tim O’Brien.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:

‘A great book from one of America’s greatest writers. “July, July” is beautifully written, very moving and very, very funny. It is also packed with some of the best characters I’ve read in a long time.’ Roddy Doyle

‘The Class of ’69 revisit their pasts and contemplate the thwarted dreams of the Sixties generation. Savage and funny.’ Sunday Express

‘A feast – the rare kind that leaves you satisfied rather than stuffed. A book whose main delight is one of constant surprise in word and deed. Playful and profound...nightmarishly funny.’ Glasgow Herald

‘O’Brien’s characters are instantly recognisable. Psychologically acute...he writes piercingly about relationships, particularly the ones that don’t work.’ Irish Times

‘A great novel. So much human truth in so few words...the very definition of fine writing.’ Esquire

‘A book for all seasons. Funny and poignant, it looks into the nature of our dreams and how fulfilment eludes us.’ Edna O’Brien

Synopsis:

At a thirty-year reunion, a group of old friends tell the story of their lives -- and the story of a generation -- in this brilliant new novel from one of America's most celebrated writers. At a dance in their old college gymnasium, the Class of '69 have been reunited. As part of the 'Golden Generation', they had graduated in those anything's-possible days, still believing in good and evil, ideals and hope. One would become an anti-war campaigner, one the perfect all-American girl; one would serve in Vietnam, one would dodge the draft in Canada instead. Now, after thirty years of fading dreams, each character has a story to tell -- and each has a part to play in a reunion they will never forget. Here are compelling tales of passion, hope, self-delusion and yearning. Together they provide a portrait of a generation launched into adulthood at the moment when America, too, lost its innocence.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.