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

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

Great

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

Interesting

An interesting look at the intertwined lives of big town and small town people in Milledgeville GA

Another excellent novel

I really enjoy Ann Napolitano’s books. The characters in this one pull you in and feel so real. I finished listening to it in 2 days!! Like all her books, this one is excellent.

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.

Amazing Story!

A really engrossing story superbly narrated. Really brought Flannery O’Connor to life. Fully dimensional in the character development.

Just ok….

Ann Napolitano is a beautiful writer. I discovered her recently when her latest novel was released (2023), Hello Beautiful, and then I read Dear Edward. I’m so glad I read HB first because had I read A Good Hard Look first, I may not have read her again. I struggle finding novels with an original but somewhat “believable” story line, and one in particular in this book fell flat for me. I love her style though and that’s what kept me going because this wasn’t a favorite, it was just ok. It was nice though to see her growth as a writer because HB fit all the criteria for me. I hope we don’t have to wait too long for her next book. ☺️

I Loved this Book

The characters in this story were rich, complicated and tragic. The author makes me feel like I know them all. The book was beautifully written & the narration was masterful.

Thought provoking as always

Characters are deeply developed, relatable, and easy to picture. Story line is thought provoking and not overly done. Excellent book

Amazing, I loved it!

This author is simply amazing. I felt every character, every situation. This book is a piece of art.