Overall rating and opinion of Free Fish Friday

[literarycat]

It's our diversity that makes people so interesting. There are certain triggers that will cause some readers to turn off a Kindle in a second. For some it might be gay characters or references. For others, adultery. For still others, profanity. "Free Fish Friday" fingers every trigger! It's a regular shooting gallery.

It goes along the lines of every one has their own tastes and sometimes like you said something triggers the distaste for me it is excessive use of rape in a story. I know that is something I can not handle so I tend to try and avoid books that may reference it. I am interested in Free Fish Friday based off of gal's review and what I have seen so far.

[Acwoolet]

I love reading everyone's different opinions of the book. I'll have to check the book out!

[DennisK]

I've read a number of books that didn't grip me right away, but turned out to be a good read anyway. This discussion caught my interest; so I'll get my nock to load it.

[bookowlie]

I think the laid-back, "end of the road" setting of Key West fits well with Jerry Porter being an enigma. In other parts of the country, a new person in town would invite questions about the person's background, how it came to be that they had a lot of money, etc. In Key West, the locals are laid back and have the anything goes, live and let live mentality. This was why I think Jerry became so popular and well-liked, without anyone really knowing anything about him.

[bookowlie]

I find that books that are character and setting driven take a little time to settle in to the story.

[gali]

I think the laid-back, "end of the road" setting of Key West fits well with Jerry Porter being an enigma. In other parts of the country, a new person in town would invite questions about the person's background, how it came to be that they had a lot of money, etc. In Key West, the locals are laid back and have the anything goes, live and let live mentality. This was why I think Jerry became so popular and well-liked, without anyone really knowing anything about him.

I agree!

[Lee Stone]

I think the laid-back, "end of the road" setting of Key West fits well with Jerry Porter being an enigma. In other parts of the country, a new person in town would invite questions about the person's background, how it came to be that they had a lot of money, etc. In Key West, the locals are laid back and have the anything goes, live and let live mentality. This was why I think Jerry became so popular and well-liked, without anyone really knowing anything about him.

And remember that Jerry was a psychologist ... he was well-versed in controlling conversation. He understood that the way to make friends was to listen, not talk.

[bookowlie]

By the way, I literally just finished the book about 2 hours ago.

Good point about Jerry's profession of being a listener. However, I didn't consider that while reading the story. I thought of it as the character having something to hide.

[Lee Stone]

By the way, I literally just finished the book about 2 hours ago.

Good point about Jerry's profession of being a listener. However, I didn't consider that while reading the story. I thought of it as the character having something to hide.

Exactly. Everyone assumed that his change of name and secrecy had to be incriminating somehow! "Free Fish Friday" is intended to be a whole bunch of thought-triggering social commentary disguised as a simple story, told by a simple man.

[bookowlie]

It was great to have Slacker as the narrator since we get his firsthand view of Jerry. Even though he and Jerry were inseparable friends for five years, Slacker didn't know too much about him.

[gali]

I think the laid-back, "end of the road" setting of Key West fits well with Jerry Porter being an enigma. In other parts of the country, a new person in town would invite questions about the person's background, how it came to be that they had a lot of money, etc. In Key West, the locals are laid back and have the anything goes, live and let live mentality. This was why I think Jerry became so popular and well-liked, without anyone really knowing anything about him.

And remember that Jerry was a psychologist ... he was well-versed in controlling conversation. He understood that the way to make friends was to listen, not talk.

He was that and I liked how he influenced Slacker. I liked Slacker better as he changed and developed as the story unfolded.

[bookowlie]

I think the laid-back, "end of the road" setting of Key West fits well with Jerry Porter being an enigma. In other parts of the country, a new person in town would invite questions about the person's background, how it came to be that they had a lot of money, etc. In Key West, the locals are laid back and have the anything goes, live and let live mentality. This was why I think Jerry became so popular and well-liked, without anyone really knowing anything about him.

And remember that Jerry was a psychologist ... he was well-versed in controlling conversation. He understood that the way to make friends was to listen, not talk.

He was that and I liked how he influenced Slacker. I liked Slacker better as he changed and developed as the story unfolded.

However, Slacker still never cleaned his room and I think he didn't change his clothes for days sometimes! Hahaha

[gali]

lol some things don't change...

[B3cca 3ll3r]

I absolutely love the kind and respectful way you are all speaking to each other! My mother always said " Opinions are like behinds, everybody has got one but some are bigger". I read the sample and while I won't be purchasing the whole book I did enjoy the tone and style of the book so far. Thank you for having such a kind and tolerant conversation!

[bookowlie]

I absolutely love the kind and respectful way you are all speaking to each other! My mother always said " Opinions are like behinds, everybody has got one but some are bigger". I read the sample and while I won't be purchasing the whole book I did enjoy the tone and style of the book so far. Thank you for having such a kind and tolerant conversation!

Your mom must be hilarious at holiday gatherings.
Everyone has different tastes in books. This book took me a few chapters to get into the story. It's very character driven and I needed to get a sense of all the players before becoming more absorbed in the plot. After finishing the book, I reread Gali's review and think it is spot on.