That Old Cape Magic
Encyclopedia
That Old Cape Magic is Pulitzer Prize-winning American
author Richard Russo
's eighth novel. First published in 2009, the novel is much lighter in content than his previous work, the somber 2007 work Bridge of Sighs
, which followed some upstate New York characters across several decades.
, a film critic for the New York Post
, quotes a scene from the book:
Mr. Smith says that scene "is, like so many in Richard Russo's writing, both cheerfully impertinent and stingingly true."
Erin Adair-Hodges of Weekly Alibi
writes:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author Richard Russo
Richard Russo
Richard Russo is an American novelist, short story writer, screenwriter, and teacher.-Early life and education:Russo was born in Johnstown, New York, and raised in nearby Gloversville...
's eighth novel. First published in 2009, the novel is much lighter in content than his previous work, the somber 2007 work Bridge of Sighs
Bridge of Sighs (novel)
Bridge of Sighs is a 2007 novel written by Richard Russo. Bridge of Sighs is Russo's first novel since his Pulitzer Prize winning novel Empire Falls .For the Bridge of Sighs as in the actual bridge, click on the hyperlink....
, which followed some upstate New York characters across several decades.
Plot
The story revolves around a past-middle-age former Hollywood screenwriter, Jack Griffin, who is presently teaching creative writing at a New England college. He loses both parents within a year of each other, and he travels considerable distance to attend two weddings during the same time. As he travels, and as he interacts both with his family and his in-laws, he ponders marital and family relationships. He is also mulling whether to remain in New England or return to the uncertainty of Hollywood.Reviews
Kyle SmithKyle Smith
Kyle Smith is an American critic, novelist and essayist. He is a staff film critic for the New York Post. His film reviewing style has been called "an exercise in hilarious hostility" by Entertainment Weekly....
, a film critic for the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
, quotes a scene from the book:
- "At her retirement party, a college professor rises to tell her colleagues: 'I wish I could think of something nice to say about you people and this university. I really do. But the truth we dare not utter is that ours is a distinctly second-rate institution, as are the vast majority of our students, as are we.'"
Mr. Smith says that scene "is, like so many in Richard Russo's writing, both cheerfully impertinent and stingingly true."
Erin Adair-Hodges of Weekly Alibi
Weekly Alibi
The Weekly Alibi is a free weekly newspaper published in Albuquerque, New Mexico.The Alibi's strongest points are its "I saw you" personals, film reviews, entertainment guide and Albuquerque's first "alternative personals." Their yearly "Best of Burque" awards, which cover everything from "Best...
writes:
- "Russo isn't concerned with the psychological or stylistic fads of the moment. He is a clean writer who relishes the creation of characters who are flawed and smart enough to know it. Though That Old Cape Magic is a lighter entry than his previous books—both in terms of length and scope (no shifting perspective or cast of dozens)—it is, like all of his work, honest."