To what audience would you recommend Won’t Be Long Now? Is there another book or author you feel has a similar theme or style?
Before I recommend it to anyone else, I am going to recommend it to someone who is involved in the autism community, as an educator. I am very interested in her perspective. A book I’ve read with a similar theme or style is not coming to my mind.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about growing up in a small town in the 1950”s and 1960’s.
I think a more mature audience would appreciate the perspective. Readers who appreciate introspective, character-driven novels—especially those exploring grief, neurodivergence, and emotional isolation. It has a similar quiet intensity to authors like Marilynne Robinson or Elizabeth Strout.
If you like stories about identity, self-acceptance, and what it means to “belong”. It isn’t fast-moving, so if you enjoy a slower pace leaning into internal conflict, you may enjoy.
The only book I can think of, is possibly, My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout.
Well said, Kristine. While I’m unsure to whom I’d recommend the book, I know people I would not. Readers need to delve into Billie’s introspective character for a more complete appreciation of the novel.
I’m not sure who I would recommend it to. Maybe someone who likes a straightforward plot without a lot of perspectives from other characters. It just wasn’t a good choice for me, but I don’t like to be negative and maybe some of the positive comments here will change my thinking!
Not only would I recommend this book to readers interested in that era, but I think it would appeal to many book clubs because there are many talking points and issues for discussion. Billie is a complex character and readers can delve into her multiple problems.
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I would recommend this book to those who enjoy coming of age novels, especially characters who are faced with great challenges and obstacles. On the Savage Side and Betty are two books that are similar, but way more intense.
“Won’t Be Long Now” would provide plenty of fodder for book groups, especially if they like character-driven plots. It’s also a time period that’s not often found in popular fiction. Being from Kansas–but not that area though I’m somewhat familiar with it–I’m not sure it puts the people in the best light but small town & family dynamics aren’t always pleasant. And yes, the Garden of Eden is a real place (I merely glanced at Mr. Dinsmoor’s crypt) but well worth a visit if you’re ever in Lucas, (you’ll have to get off I-70 to get there).
I googled Garden of Eden in Kansas for that very reason. Real??? The online images reflect a bizarre interpretation of G of E in my opinion. Art, though, is in the eye of the creator and beholder.
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I did the same thing, @NanK! I was really surprised that was a real place.
Yes it is spooky.
I saw it 36 years ago and I can imagine it has become more eccentric.
I mentioned it in online discussion about Billie being a genius.
In 1990 the old man’s body is on display. You can see his face that looks like petrified wood.
As I said I was relieved to leave that place.
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I would recommend this book for readers who appreciate a character driven novel which proceeds at a slower pace and has a main character on the autism spectrum
I think this book is good for anybody who truly wishes to get a glimpse of a different life. It was a hard book and there were points where I struggled to keep going. But that said, it was important for me to finish it and to reflect on it. We all have our challenges, but Billie had more than most. The last part of the book showed that she gained wisdom and relief from some of her burdens, and while it may have wrapped up a bit too cleanly, I needed something to celebrate in her hard life.
This is a book about people especially children that feel different from others, being an oddball. A book that people can think we are all different and all deserve love.
I will give the book to my sister, a retired public school MLS librarian to read. She tends to be more open to books that aren’t mainstream popular and I would like to get her opinion of it. I won’t be recommending it to my book club as they go for the best seller women’s fiction and would definitely give me a hard time. I recently selected a book, Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, that I feel is similar for discussion and they did not like it all.
Those club members sound like a tough crowd! 