About.com Rating



Ann Patchett's novel Run is a holiday ghost story reminiscent of Dickens' A Christmas Carol set in contemporary Boston. Replete with crutches, snow and ghosts, Run tells the tale of two families (one poor, one of wealth and privilege) who collide in a January blizzard.

Doyle is a widower with lots to lose. He's a former Boston mayor, a respected white attorney with three adult sons. His biological son, Sullivan, is a something of a disappointment.

So he has pinned his hopes on his adopted black sons, Tip and Teddy, to carry on the family tradition of public service. Tip and Teddy are college students, but Doyle keeps them close by insisting they attend political functions together as a family.

Tennessee is a single black mother with just as much at stake. Although her resources are slim she pours everything she can into her shining star of a daughter, Kenya. Kenya is an extraordinary athlete and student - full of promise - if only Tennessee can get her out of the projects and into a good school.

What happens when an unfortunate accident brings these two families together is for you to discover. Run is a delightfully plotted novel of faith, family and redemption, written from multiple points of view - male, female, young, old, black and white. Ms. Patchett, a brave author for taking on race, class and interracial adoption, has written a feel-good book, nuanced without being sappy and ideal for curling up with on a dark winter's night.