Timely story and really brings to light how scary some of the far religious right is in this country. A good story about the importance of family and friends but also staying true to your beliefs.

Jess Walter’s “So Far Gone” is a wild ride that mixes a road trip, family drama, and action/adventure. A grumpy old man gets two of his grandchildren dropped off at his doorstep and sets out on a cross-country adventure to return them to their mom. Along the way, they meet interesting characters and learn about mental health, life during the pandemic, young kids’ sexual identities, and growing up. Edoardo Ballerini narrates the story, giving each character a unique voice that makes it super engaging. If you’re looking for a fun and thought-provoking read, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook.

This book leaves you shaking your head. Rhys Kinnick is tired of the politics and stupid people in the world. Over Thanksgiving he gets in a fight with his dim-witted son-in-law. He didn't even start the argument, but it gets blamed on him. He decides to move off grid and cut off all communication.

A few years later a lady knocks on his door with his young grandchildren. He doesn't even recognize them at first. His daughter has run away from her radical husband and left a note for her neighbor to drop the kids off with her reclusive father.

This is a book of second/third/fourth chances. Trying to make things right. It is wild. You will shake your head and say, "what in the world". You will laugh out loud. Honestly, I don't know how I felt about this book. I guess that is what an author wants, for you to think about their book for a while after you have read it.

4.5 stars

Much love for this book. It's a very complicated story about greatly flawed people doing their best and failing one another. And it's a reminder that no relationship is perfect; not parent and child, not siblings, not friends, not exes, not married couples, not even people with their god.

This is a fast paced book with a lot of events tipping these characters this way and that, from one crisis to another. Most are layered and likable characters going through big changes and dealing with the long buried emotions. There is some violence, but not gratuitous. It was nice to see the characters grow and redefine themselves.

For a not very long book this one packed a punch! Part road trip novel, part messy family drama, part action/adventure and so much more. A reclusive old man is shocked when his two grandchildren are left on his doorstep. Determined to bring them back to their mother the trio embark on a cross country trip meeting a host of colorful characters along the way. There's great mental health rep, and life during the pandemic rep, young children exploring their sexual identities and lots of growth and emotional depth. Recommended for fans of books like The road to tender hearts. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I really loved So Far Gone by Jess Walter (as I've loved his other books, especially Cold Millions). It depicts a man who has been estranged from his family for years, and through narration that takes us to various aspects of "what happened to ..." we see him coming to a dawning of what he has missed in his reclusive existence and working his way back to his daughter and to the grandchildren he barely knows. I thought the writing was top-notch, moving the narrative along with a rueful longing and grace. The narrator was just okay for me. I think he was over-emotional in a lot of the narration and I would have preferred something a little bit more straight up.

Jess Walter’s So Far Gone is a sharp, unflinching exploration of a man trying to find his way back into a world that seems increasingly fractured and chaotic. Rhys Kinnick’s retreat to the woods after a meltdown at Thanksgiving feels both relatable and poignant—an honest depiction of someone overwhelmed by life’s complexities. When his past catches up with him, Kinnick embarks on a tense, often darkly humorous journey through a cultural landscape gone haywire. Walter’s storytelling is gripping, blending satire with sincere emotion as Kinnick navigates danger, loyalty, and redemption. The characters are vividly drawn, especially Kinnick’s caustic ex-girlfriend and the retired detective battling his own demons, adding depth and nuance to the narrative. While the plot’s intensity and social commentary are compelling, some moments feel a bit stretched, and the tone can veer into dark humor that may not resonate with all readers. However, overall, So Far Gone is an engaging and thought-provoking novel that captures the chaos of modern America with wit and authenticity—well worth the read.

I really liked this book but it will not be for everyone. So Far Gone is a dark, comic satire, with some serious themes. Rhys Kinnick is a retired reporter, divorced man, and grandfather who lives off the grid - no cell phone. In 2016, Rhys was at Thanksgiving dinner with his daughter, Bethany’s family, and despite his resolve to stay calm, he punches Bethany’s husband, Shane, in the face after a fight about Trump, Jesus, and conspiracy theories. Fast forward to the present - Bethany has gone AWOL, and a neighbor of Bethany and Shane’s shows up on Rhys’s doorstep with his two grandchildren. Shane’s politics and religion have taken a deep turn, and he is now a member of a radical church, The Army of the Lord, where his 13 year-old daughter is “promised” to the preacher’s 19 year-old son, and there is regular target practice sessions on the remote compound. Rhys, who barely knows his grandchildren, sets off on an adventure to find their mother, Bethany, and figure out how to exit his Thoreau-like existence to become a part of their lives. No spoilers - but although it is sometimes comical, the story takes a decidedly serious and violent turn. With the political climate today, this is a relevant book, but not one everyone will appreciate. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a fantastic job. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

I am a fan of Jess Walter and love his writing style. This book just didn’t resonate with me, but maybe I wasn’t in the right headspace when I read it.

Rhys Kinnick lives off the grid and doesn’t keep in contact with his family, including his daughter Bethany. That is, until his grandchildren show up at his front door, with their neighbor explaining that their mom, Bethany, had been gone for days, and their dad, Shane, had left to find her. Rhys is suddenly in charge of two quirky, scared kids and on the trail of his missing daughter.

I didn’t know what to expect going into this audiobook, and I was very pleasantly surprised. The story was fast moving, and the narrator was great. The characters were well developed, with their backstories given over time to create a fuller picture of each character. It was funny, it was sad, it was serious, and it was sarcastic. Good listen!

This was my first Jess Walter book and I enjoyed it! Humor found in strange and not necessarily funny circumstances. Well done.