Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Accessories such as cd, codes, toys, may not be included. Independence day is the second book of richard fords trilogy which won him the coveted pulitzer prize and sent many surprised readers out to purchase the bypassed book 1 the sportswriter. Richard ford was born in jackson, mississippi, in 1944. This book is the 877th greatest fiction book of all time as determined by. A visionary account of american life and the longawaited sequel to one of the most celebrated novels of the past decade independence day reveals a man and our country with unflinching comedy and the specter of hope and even permanence, all of which richard ford evokes with keen intelligence, perfect. The novel continues the odyssey of selfdiscovery on which frank embarked in fords. Free download or read online independence day pdf epub frank bascombe series book. Richard ford, mississippi writer and pulitzer prize winner.
As the sportswriter ends, protagonist frank bascombe is a divorced bachelor, struggling in a job he really doesnt like, drifting from one short term. Richard ford attempted to answer that question in independence day, the second novel in the critically acclaimed frank bascombe series. For some richard fords second bascombe book will be too introspective, too slow moving. In independence day, richard ford chronicles with consummate skill a few days in the life of a new jersey sportswriter turned real estate agent, frank bascombe. The main character, frank bascombe, is a middleaged divorced realtor. This great 1995 1st edition 1st printing has been hand signed by author richard ford on the front end page in blue archival finepoint pen with just his signature there are no personalizations or inscriptions. Possibly the novels serious purpose came as a surprise.
Independence day takes place in the fictional town of haddam, new jersey, as well as in upstate new york and connecticut during the year 1988. Richard fords literary honour questioned by peers after. We hope they will aid your understanding of a novel that is at once casual and lyric, hilarious and poignant, irreverent and inspiring. Ford follows his muchcelebrated the sportswriter 1986, picking up the story about six years later, as frank bascombe, now in his 40s, emerges from the midlife crisis depicted in the earlier book. The questions, discussion topics, suggested reading list, and author biography that follow are intended to enhance your groups reading and discussion of richard ford s pulitzer prizewinning independence day. Aug 15, 2016 independence day by richard ford, narrated by richard poe, is one of those novels in which readers can be frustrated, as the main character, frank basscombe, often scurries along tangents just when the narration appears to be going somewhere relevant. His bestknown works are the novel the sportswriter and its sequels, independence day and the lay of the land, and the short story collection rock springs, which contains several widely anthologized stories. Pdf independence day book frank bascombe free download. United states of books independence day by richard ford. By independence day he has settled himself in a job in real estate, but has a little sideline in a roadside root beer stall keeping, perhaps, a weather eye on the road out. How is ford s pervasive use of humor integral to his development of plot and theme. Feb 08, 2003 by independence day he has settled himself in a job in real estate, but has a little sideline in a roadside root beer stall keeping, perhaps, a weather eye on the road out. This decent, appealingly bewildered, profoundly observant man is wrenched, gradually and inevitably, out of his private refuge. He thought that the whole declaration of independence was an attempt to.
The author of five novels and two collections of stories, richard ford was awarded the pulitzer prize and the penfaulkner award for independence day, the first book to win both prizes. The first edition of the novel was published in 1995, and was written by richard ford. Ford is the author now of five novels and a book of short stories, but he is probably best known for the sportswriter 1988, widely praised as a realistic. The story all occurs in three days, ending july 4, 1988, with the obvious throwbacks. Richard ford born february 16, 1944 is an american novelist and short story writer. A visionary account of american life and the longawaited sequel to one of the most celebrated novels of the past. I found the novel moving and insightful even if frank is a frustrating protagonist at. In this visionary sequel to the sportswriter, richard ford deepens his portrait of one of the most unforgettable. Independence day is the second of richard fords frank bascombe novels, set several years after the sportswriter. Independence day was awarded the pulitzer prize and the penfaulkner award for fiction. How is fords pervasive use of humor integral to his development of. His novel wildlife was adapted into a 2018 film of the same name. Discussion of themes and motifs in richard ford s independence day. Richard ford is a pulitzer prizewinning american novelist and short story writer.
You may have laughed out loud while reading independence day. His bestknown works are the novel the sportswriter and its sequels, independence day, the lay of the land and let me be frank with you, and the short story collection rock springs, which contains several widely anthologized stories. May contain limited notes, underlining or highlighting that does affect the text. Signed 1st edition 1st printing richard ford independence. This novel is the second in what is now a fourpart series, the first being the sportswriter. Any novel about a middle aged man visiting the baseball hal of fame with his son over the independence day weekend has me hooked from the first page. What is the temper of frank bascombes interior monologue as opposed to that of the novels themes. The main characters of this fiction, seduction story are frank bascombe. The time is 1988, and frank is looking forward to the fourth of july weekend, when hes arranged. Richard fords independence day is a masterpiece of a. His voice retains the faint smoky sweetness of his native mississippi. Independence day by richard ford, first edition abebooks passion for books.
Jul 23, 2016 independence day meanders quite a bit but ford is such a thoughtful writer that i did not mind going on the detour of bascombes life throughout the novel. Independence day is a 1995 novel by richard ford and the sequel to fords 1986 novel the sportswriter. Independence day richard ford a visionary account of american lifeand the longawaited sequel to one of the most celebrated novels of the past decadeindependence day reveals a man and our country with unflinching comedy and the specter of hope and even permanence, all of which richard ford evokes with keen intelligence, perfect emotional. He has published five novels and three collections of stories, including the sportswriter, independence day, wildlife, a multitude of sins and most recently the lay of the land. In 2001 he received the penmalamud award for excellence in short fiction. No longer a writer of any kind, frank sells real estate in haddam, new jersey, during the boom period of the 80s. Signed 1st edition 1st printing richard ford independence day. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading independence day. The novel occurs over fourth of july weekend and frank struggles to sell a house to. This page contains details about the fiction book independence day by richard ford published in 1995. Richard ford, a mississippi novelist and short story writer who in 1996 won the pulitzer prize for literature and the penwilliam faulkner award for independence day, was born in jackson, mississippi, on february 16, 1944. With keen observations, outstanding descriptive power and dialogue more real than the real world, ford pulls the strings of this great book masterfully. Independence day follows frank bascombe, a new jersey real estate agent, through the titular holiday weekend as he visits his exwife, his troubled son, his current lover, the renters of one of his properties, and some clients of his who. Independence day npr coverage of independence day by richard ford.
Independence day by richard ford the 877th greatest. Independence day ist ein roman des amerikanischen schriftstellers richard ford aus dem jahr 1995. In this visionary sequel to the sportswriter, richard ford deepens his portrait of one of the. The time is 1988, and frank is looking forward to the fourth of july weekend, when hes arranged to meet with his girlfriend, sally. Does living through your existence period mean you are truly an independent human being. Signed by the author on th condition very fine in a fine dust jacket. Richard fords independence day is a masterpiece of a novel. Discussion of themes and motifs in richard fords independence day. Richard ford, born february 16, 1944 in jackson, mississippi, is an american novelist and short story writer. With the sportswriter, in 1986, richard ford commenced a cycle of novels that, 10 years later, after independence day won both the pulitzer prize and the penfaulkner award, was hailed by the times of london as an extraordinary epic that is nothing less than the story of the 20th century itself. Independence day by richard ford takes place primarily in the fictional town of haddam, new jersey in 1988. It was followed by the lay of the land 2006 and let me be frank with you 2014.
For some richard ford s second bascombe book will be too introspective, too slow moving. You can test your knowledge of the events that unfold in richard fords novel independence day by using this interactive quizprintable. Independence day by richard ford, first edition abebooks. This novel is the second in what is now a fourpart. While, i believe that the sportswriter is a more focused book than independence day, i still enjoyed the novel quite a bit and im looking forward to reading the lay of the land, the. Pulitzer prizewinning and penfaulkner award winning author. Frank bascombe is no longer a sportswriter, yet hes still living in haddam, new jersey, where he. This is the second novel in a fourpart series, and it. He was awarded the pulitzer prize and the penfaulkner award for independence day and the penmalamud award for excellence in short fiction.
Bascombe trilogy 2 kindle edition by ford, richard. This is on page 5 of richard fords independence day, and i flagged it as soon as i read it. Independence day by richard ford is a sequel to the sportscaster, featuring frank bascome as he struggles to gain independence and reconnect with his. And in this embattled ascent richard ford captures the mystery of life in all its conflicted glory with grand humor, intense compassion and transfixing power. This painful reality of adult life, that no matter what, its already too late to fix anything, is absolutely the central theme of the novel. But franks independence day turns out not as hed planned. Independence day is the firstperson narrative of frank bascombe, a sportswriter turned realestate agent. There is a dreariness about the existence period writer richard ford has his character, frank bascombe, stumble through in independence day. Possible ex library copy, thatll have the markings and stickers associated from the library. Frank bascombe is no longer a sportswriter, yet hes still living in. Independence day by ford, richard and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Feb 12, 2020 influenced later writers such as richard ford in the sportswriter 1986 and its moving sequel, independence day 1995.
Independence day by richard ford the 877th greatest fiction. Independence day by richard ford book club discussion. Independence day by richard ford, narrated by richard poe, is one of those novels in which readers can be frustrated, as the main character, frank basscombe, often scurries along tangents just when the narration appears to be going somewhere relevant. Richard ford is the author of six novels and three collections of stories.
Independence day by richard ford bigrockformations pot on pulitzer november 30, 2018 3 minutes there is a dreariness about the existence period writer richard ford has his character, frank bascombe, stumble through in independence day. Start with his name, perfectly and hopelessly american. Spine creases, wear to binding and pages from reading. Frank is now working in real estate and has come to terms with his status as a divorced man, although he finds it difficult to accept his wife anns remarriage, and worries about how to develop and sustain relationships with his children. Independence day, by richard ford the new york times. A visionary account of american lifeand the longawaited sequel. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 464 pages and is available in format.
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