A Good Hard Look

A Novel

By: Ann Napolitano

Narrated by: Debra Monk

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful and Dear Edward, a novel set in Flannery O'Connor's hometown of Milledgeville, and a tragedy that forever alters the town and the author herself

"A wholly believable world shaped by duty, small pleasures, and fateful choices."—O, The Oprah Magazine

Forced by illness to leave behind a successful life in New York, literary icon Flannery O'Connor has returned to her family farm in the small town of Milledgeville, Georgia. With her health and time both limited, all she wants is to be left alone to write.

But Flannery's plans are soon upended by Melvin Whiteson, a banker from Manhattan who has recently married the town belle. Melvin is at loose ends with his new life; though he has every opportunity, he's not sure where to begin. Flannery knows exactly what she wants, but is running out of time. Through their unusual and clandestine friendship, both will come to reflect on the decisions they have made and the paths they have chosen.

Literary history and fiction gracefully intersect in this emotionally charged novel of small town Southern life, which asks us all to consider how we can live our lives to the fullest.

©2011 Ann Napolitano (P)2011 Penguin

Critic reviews

“In A Good Hard Look, Ann Napolitano creates a fictional version of the life of the acclaimed southern writer that is as vibrantly colorful as the peacocks raised on the O’Connor family farm in Milledgeville, Georgia…Napolitano makes no attempt to mimic O’Connor’s singular style, but she does succeed in creating a wholly believable world shaped by duty, small pleasures, and fateful choices.”—O Magazine

“Napolitano’s protagonist is a marvelously outspoken, uncompromising force who becomes the impetus for several fictional Milledgeville residents to reassess and radically alter their lives…[Napolitano] has spun an absorbing, old-fashioned tale about how, as in Flannery O’Connor’s stories, ‘Grace changes a person….And change is painful.’”—The Washington Post

“To brand this a quaint period piece…would be doing Napolitano’s evocative tale of friendship and community a disservice.”—Entertainment Weekly

A rare five star

I only read 4 1/2 stars and up, as a rule. I rarely give five stars. If I liked it, I give 4 stars and I usually don’t review books that I didn’t like a lot. I get five stars when a book is poignant and memorable and leaves a lasting impression. This book was amazing and brilliantly presented.

Great

The story is good and it’s read well. Keeps you interested the whole way. Thanks.

loved it but...

I enjoyed this book but was disappointed at the end felt like author was just too tired to finish would have loved a more final sentiment after getting to know the characters.. I will miss them all

A Very Good Read - Highly Recommend

“A Good Hard Look” was a very good read. This is a historical style novel about the life of Flannery O’Conner and the people she interfaced with during her life. If you are not familiar with Flannery O’Connor and her writings and perspective on life, it is a very good introduction. The author, Ann Napolitano has written a very insightful and readable novel. Experienced as an Audio book.

One of the my favorite audiobooks

I loved this book so much that as soon as I finished it, I immediately listened to it again.

The narrator was outstanding.

I discovered this book after reading Dear Edward. This author quickly became one of my favorites. She has a new book that will be released in 2023 and I can’t wait.

Lessons in Morality

I didn’t expect to enjoy this book so much. There are parts which are hard to get through, yet something worth knowing is not always easy to reconcile, and so it is with the relationships in this book.

A Really Good First Novel from a Great Author

Ms. Napolitano has written only three novels. This is her first, and IMVHO not as good as the following two, as expected, but she has written a gem here. I think the biggest difference between this one and either of her two others is that her development of the characters was a little dryer, almost to the point of, but short of, clicheic. I think the last two-thirds of the book kicks into high gear. But then, what do I know about writing beyond what I glean onto? I’m getting old, and I want to read/listen to more Napolitano before it’s too late.

A book with Flannery O'Connor as a character...

that reads like a Flannery O'Connor book!

Gosh, I loved this book. It was everything a Flannery O'Connor book includes - slow-building shock, quirky characters, a quaint backdrop and enough to make you cry. You don't leave feeling especially hopeful but it is inspiring in a creative, introspective way.

I especially liked Debra Monk's narration. I like narrators who don't try to "act" - that just read... in a solid, story-telling way without major overdramatic inflections, fake accents and (the worst) females voicing males in a really jarring way.

I have read "Dear Edward" and watched the series on Apple TV produced by Ann Napolitano and that's another brilliant one by her. I wish she had more books!

I loved this book

I can’t say enough positive. After studying Flannery in college I have only read one or two stories since. However when I behAn this over I realized Napolitano knows the author well. Each character was beautifully crafted. As I recognized the style, I thought “oh oh, am up to this.m. I. WAs but so hate saying good bye to Flannery, her mother, Cookie, Melvin, Gigi , Lorna and the rest. Beautiful book, great reader.

Sooo good.

I devoured this book. The reader did a fantastic job. The characters, the plot, the mood, the town - all so real. I highly recommend this book.