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Book Reviews of Falconer

Falconer
Falconer
Author: John Cheever
ISBN-13: 9780345331458
ISBN-10: 0345331451
Publication Date: 9/12/1985
Edition: Reissue
Rating:
  • Currently 2/5 Stars.
 1

2 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

5 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Falconer on + 3389 more book reviews
For readers compeled by Cheever's recurring themes throughout his short stories probing dysfunctional suburban middle-class families this book won't disappoint. But here, Cheever turns his attention to a heroin-addict named Ezekiel Farragut imprisoned at Falconer, a grey obsolescent "correctional facility," for fratricide. Deeply critical of modern forms of punishment, and drawing on his own experiences as teacher at Sing-Sing in the 70s, Cheever depicts a plutonian world of iron and concrete and dripping pipes where the forgotten and forgettable are kept behind bars, their humanity supressed and marginalized. Ezekiel, or Zeke, comes from a genteel family fractured after a reversal of fortunes that closely resembles Cheever's own family and childhood. The story of Zeke's wayward brother, his gas attendant mother and disconnected father deftly weaves in and out of his year-long death in Falconer and finally his gripping and unexpected rebirth, somewhat reminiscent of a modern Crime and Punishment. In spite of the book's difficult subject matter, the dark sides of humanity and society and relentless dealings with hopeless characters and rather sordid scenes, Cheever succeeds in drawing in his captive reader and forces us to ask tough questions about ourselves and the retributive society we live in. An important read, but not for the fainthearted!
reviewed Falconer on
This is a classic. Cheever is considered one of the great writers of the 20th century.
reviewed Falconer on + 4 more book reviews
Ezekiel Farragut is a college professor, a heroin addict, a sexual adventure and a killer - locked behind bars of Falconer prison for the death of his brother. He will discover more hope, more love, more of his own human compassion - miraculously, locked behind the bars of Falconer prison than he has know in his entire life.
reviewed Falconer on + 18 more book reviews
Using my own pitiful skills to write about Cheever is a bit too intimidating, so I'll quote the backcover of this amazing book: "Ezekiel Farragut is a college professor, a heroin addict, a sexual adventurer and killer -- locked behind the bars of Falconer prison for the death of his brother. He has survived loneliness, brutality, his own fierce anger and the malice of a beautiful, bitchy wife. He will discover more hope, more love, mor of his own human compassion -- miraculously--locked behind the bas of Falconer prison."

Amazing work by one of the literary greats of our times. Don't miss it.
Paul-RLT avatar reviewed Falconer on + 176 more book reviews
Some insight into prison life...but I didn't see "redemption" in the main character. I didn't feel this was a great novel.