One of the great bestseller of our time: the novel that inspired Robert Redford’s Oscar-winning film starring Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler MooreIn Ordinary People, Judith Guest’s remarkable first novel, the Jarrets are a typical American family. Calvin is a determined, successful provider and Beth an organized, efficient wife. They had two sons, Conrad and Buck, but now they have one. In … Buck, but now they have one. In this memorable, moving novel, Judith Guest takes the reader into their lives to share their misunderstandings, pain, and ultimate healing. Ordinary People is an extraordinary novel about an “ordinary” family divided by pain, yet bound by their struggle to heal.
“Admirable…touching…full of the anxiety, despair, and joy that is common to every human experience of suffering and growth.” –The New York Times
“Rejoice! A novel for all ages and all seasons.” –The Washington Post Book World
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This was a movie way back in the 80’s. I remember it being a big hit at the time. Since I almost always like the books better than the movies, I thought I would give this book a try and to my delight I was proved right again. Mind you, I do remember the movie being very good but what really surprised me was how relevant this book is today. The story will rip your heart out. This whole family is suffering each in their own way because of an accident that happened to them. The characters are realistic and it is heartbreaking to see how each member of the family handles such a terrible tragedy. Also focuses on mental health issues that are every bit as relevant if not more so in today’s society. Worth the read.
I came across Judith Guest’s remarkable novel after seeing the remarkable film starring Timothy Hutton, Mary Tyler Moore, and Donald Sutherland. I find that this film is ultimately more moving than the book, but only by a bit. Ordinary People is in fact an incredible novel. The story of Conrad Jarret broke my heart at a time when my heart was not easy to break. This is a young man coping with the pain he feels for surviving the accident that killed his brother.
My favorite thing about this novel, and the film as well, is how the story isn’t about the immediate impact of loss on a family. It is about the long term, the in and outs of daily life. Conrad is struggling and through Guest’s remarkable writing, you struggle with him.
I recommend Ordinary People to anyone. Everyone. I don’t think enough people have read it, but it deserves all the attention in the world. Truly.
An over-the-transom novel that didn’t disappoint. Great characters that fascinate as they attempt to survive tragedy.
I read and reread this book as a teenager. It was time to reread it again 40 years later. Should be listed as a classic.
For all of us who fight against negative self-messages, this book says there is hope, and there is a way to grow and break out of depression, not magically, but patiently. For those of us who suspect we are extraordinarily screwed up, this book tells us that we are so common as to be ordinary. If we can tell this kid how to revise his self worth, then we can tell ourselves how to do it too.
This book (and movie) gave one of the only realistic portrayals of psychotherapy (with an adolescent, here) in literature . When I wrote my own novel: The End of Miracles, in order to give a realistic view of psychiatric patients and psychiatrists, Ordinary People was the one book that I admired for having done just that.
Gripping family narrative
Very sensitive treatment of difficult but real world problems
Loved it. Could not put it down. Felt like I knew all the characters
Even though it’s old, it still stand as a breathtakingly poignant story.
I never saw the movie, so I have nothing to compare it with.
I don’t understand all the 5-star reviews. I hated this book. The pronoun “he” is overused. It would take several sentences for me to figure out whether the author was referring to Con or Cal. The story is written backwards, too. It wasn’t until 3/4 of the way through that we get any details about the past and what occurrences have put the characters in to the positions they find themselves. Too much is alluded to and not enough is explained.