Robert B. Parker has traditionally been known for churning out at at least two to three crime novels per years. But this, his third book following the story of Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch proves yet again that Parker has a knack at writing more than just crime novels. His stories, following Virgil and Everett are stories that are not just westerns. They are stories about honor. They are stories about friendship. And the subplot surrounding Virgil and Allie makes for an interesting conf... (show more)

Robert B. Parker has traditionally been known for churning out at at least two to three crime novels per years. But this, his third book following the story of Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch proves yet again that Parker has a knack at writing more than just crime novels. His stories, following Virgil and Everett are stories that are not just westerns. They are stories about honor. They are stories about friendship. And the subplot surrounding Virgil and Allie makes for an interesting conflict.

The summary of this book openly tells readers before they even crack open the book that Virgil and Everett find Allie. This was the biggest problem with Resolution at that book's end. Anyone who read that book knew that Parker had to close that story. And thankfully, Parker has done just that, to an extent. There is still a little bit of a problem with the story of Virgil and Allie at the end of this story that actually leaves the story slightly open ended. Though on the other hand, the story was closed enough that this may actually be the end of the road for Virgil and Everett's adventures. Time will tell.

This story was so easy to follow, in large part, because of the simplistic first person narrative style from this, book, and its two predecessors. Parker doesn't write in a flowery manner, like so many other authors. His narrator, Everett, tells the story as if he is writing in a diary, making the story very simple to follow. While the story is simple to follow, it still lacks a certain element that could be felt in Appaloosa. What that missing element was is uncertain. But despite that, Parker has still crafted a novel that is a fast and fun read. (show less)

Garrison Keillor is a master orator and storyteller on his radio program, 'A Prairie Home Companion.' But as an author, Keillor is nowehere near as impressive. That is at least with his most recent book. 'Liberty' is a Lake Wobegon novel, yes. But sadly, it plays out more like some trashy romance novel, what with Clint Bunsen's affair with the much younger Angelica, and the resultant effect on his wife, Irene.

Another negative to this book comes in the form of something that Keillor co... (show more)

Garrison Keillor is a master orator and storyteller on his radio program, 'A Prairie Home Companion.' But as an author, Keillor is nowehere near as impressive. That is at least with his most recent book. 'Liberty' is a Lake Wobegon novel, yes. But sadly, it plays out more like some trashy romance novel, what with Clint Bunsen's affair with the much younger Angelica, and the resultant effect on his wife, Irene.

Another negative to this book comes in the form of something that Keillor commonly does on PHC. He has a tendency to use lists, of sorts, in his description of scenery. He does the same thing in his writing. He will list nearly every aspect of scenery from one scene to the next. He even does that listing in other fashions throughout the story. This listing can get so bad at points that it can lead readers to have to go back in order to know what exactly is going on. Sadly, Keillor is not the only author to do this kind of writing. There are many authors who do much the same thing.

The listing is not theonly downside to this book. There is some rather coarse language used throughout the book as well. In comparison to the more family friendly language used in PHC, the language used in thsi book is far from being family friendly.

For the negatives of 'Liberty' there were some positives. Those positives came in the form of familiar Wobegon characters that fans of PHC have come to know from Keillor's radio show over the years. His well known brand of comedy is also present throughout the story. While the humor does not make up for the romance novel style story of 'Liberty' is does make the story more bearable from start to finish.

One more positive to 'Liberty' is the very title. Considering Clint Bunsen's story, it is fitting that the story's title is 'Liberty.' Clint never really had that liberty, or independence. So the title likely intentionally has a dual meaning to it, thus giving the story more meaning.

All of this being noted, 'Liberty' is far from Keillor's best written work, considering it plays out like some trashy romance novel. But he saves the story with the use of familiar characters, wodnerfully comic moments, and the thoughtful title/story combination. Hopefully when he writes his next book, Keillor will take this into consdieration, and try to avoid the cliched story style, and write a book that is not only closer to PHC, but also far more family friendly. (show less)