42 pages • 1 hour read •
Independence Day
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Book Brief
451
Novel • Fiction
New Jersey • 1980s
1995
Vintage Books
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Independence Day by Richard Ford follows Frank Bascombe, a 44-year-old divorced realtor, over the Fourth of July weekend in 1988, as he navigates his mundane daily life while trying to help his troubled 15-year-old son, Paul, through a challenging period. Frank arranges a road trip to the Basketball and Baseball Halls of Fame, aiming to connect with Paul and address his behavioral issues.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
16,878 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Richard Ford's Independence Day is celebrated for its insightful character development and introspective narrative, encapsulating themes of personal redemption and American life. Some readers found the pacing slow and the protagonist's introspection tedious at times. However, its richly detailed prose and deep emotional resonance have cemented it as a compelling, thoughtful read.
Who Should Read Independence Day?
Independence Day by Richard Ford appeals to readers who appreciate introspective, character-driven narratives, and nuanced explorations of middle-aged life and American suburbia. Fans of John Updike’s Rabbit, Run and Anne Tyler’s Breathing Lessons will find similar themes of personal struggle, redemption, and the pursuit of contentment.
16,878 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Paul Bascombe
Paul Bascombe
Frank's 15-year-old son who faces his own emotional struggles while transitioning from childhood to adulthood.
Ann O'Dell (Bascombe)
Ann O'Dell (Bascombe)
Frank's ex-wife, who has moved on from their past but navigates her current and past relationship with Frank as they co-parent Paul.
Joe and Phyllis Markham
Joe and Phyllis Markham
A couple from Vermont and Frank's clients, struggling with financial challenges in their pursuit of the American Dream.
Karl Bemish
Karl Bemish
Frank's business partner at a birch-beer stand, known for his energetic personality and political viewpoints that contrast with Frank's.
Independence Day won both the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction in 1996, making Richard Ford the first author to win both awards for the same book.
The novel is a sequel to Ford's earlier work The Sportswriter, continuing the story of the protagonist Frank Bascombe.
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Independence Day is notable for being the first book to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in the year following a year when the prize was not awarded, as no book was selected for the prize in 1994.
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451
Novel • Fiction
New Jersey • 1980s
1995
Vintage Books
Adult
18+ years
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