I enjoyed this novel about two young men returning home after serving in the military during the Korean War. The story takes place in 1954 mostly in and around Indianapolis where the two men lived and went to high school. Sonny is the main protagonist of the story. He was a photographer and kind of an outsider during high school and is very surprised when Gunner recognizes him on the train home and praises him for his photography during high school. Gunner was a jock and one of the 'Big Rods' during high school and was always a favorite with the ladies. Gunner had actually fought in Korea and spent time in Japan while Sonny spent his service time in Kansas City doing clerical work. Both have returned to Indiana to try to determine what to do with the rest of their lives. Gunner takes Sonny under his wing and introduces him to a life with women and acquaintances that Sonny never thought he could be a part of.
Wakefield did a good job of developing the characters in the novel including the friends and family of both men. Sonny was sometimes hard to like as he puts down his family and especially his girlfriend, Buddie, who he only wants for sex. The time period of the 50s was also very well captured . . . the time before Vietnam and the sexual revolution of the 60s. The novel portrays the 50s with the return of the Korean veterans as somewhat less than the glory of WWII, the racism of the time, the fear of Communism, the bomb, and the attitudes of the time. The story was funny, sad, raunchy, and overall I would highly recommend it. It was also made into a movie in 1997 starring Ben Affleck and Jeremy Davies that I'll be keeping a lookout for.
Wakefield did a good job of developing the characters in the novel including the friends and family of both men. Sonny was sometimes hard to like as he puts down his family and especially his girlfriend, Buddie, who he only wants for sex. The time period of the 50s was also very well captured . . . the time before Vietnam and the sexual revolution of the 60s. The novel portrays the 50s with the return of the Korean veterans as somewhat less than the glory of WWII, the racism of the time, the fear of Communism, the bomb, and the attitudes of the time. The story was funny, sad, raunchy, and overall I would highly recommend it. It was also made into a movie in 1997 starring Ben Affleck and Jeremy Davies that I'll be keeping a lookout for.
Two former soldiers who served during the Korean War meet each other on the train going back home to Indiana. Willard 'Sonny' Burns - the photographer for the school newspaper when he was in high school - was a quiet, shy and rather introverted student, whose high school years were wholly unremarkable. Sonny has grown into a quiet, shy and rather introverted adult - preoccupied with thoughts of sex and women. Tom 'Gunner' Casselman - the typical 'Big Man on Campus' when he was in high school - was incredibly popular, with the type of reputation that inspired awe in his peers.
For good or ill, Sonny and Gunner search for love and fulfillment throughout their travels in middle America. They form an unlikely friendship after that first meeting on the train. In fact, it comes as a huge surprise to Sonny.to discover that Gunner truly respected him in high school. Sonny's unpretentious and inconspicuous demeanor was the quality that Gunner most admired. What follows is a coming-of-age novel about growing up in a time before free love, Vietnam and AIDS.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; quite a bit more than I was actually expecting I would. It was a very funny story, although in my opinion, Sonny and Gunner's friendship was probably not the most advantageous relationship for either of them. This book was a best-seller in 1970, and is considered to be Dan Wakefield's most famous novel. I give this book an A+!
Going All the Way was made into a movie in 1997 and won an award at the Sundance Film Festival. It starred Jeremy Davies as Sonny and Ben Affleck as Gunner.
For good or ill, Sonny and Gunner search for love and fulfillment throughout their travels in middle America. They form an unlikely friendship after that first meeting on the train. In fact, it comes as a huge surprise to Sonny.to discover that Gunner truly respected him in high school. Sonny's unpretentious and inconspicuous demeanor was the quality that Gunner most admired. What follows is a coming-of-age novel about growing up in a time before free love, Vietnam and AIDS.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; quite a bit more than I was actually expecting I would. It was a very funny story, although in my opinion, Sonny and Gunner's friendship was probably not the most advantageous relationship for either of them. This book was a best-seller in 1970, and is considered to be Dan Wakefield's most famous novel. I give this book an A+!
Going All the Way was made into a movie in 1997 and won an award at the Sundance Film Festival. It starred Jeremy Davies as Sonny and Ben Affleck as Gunner.
