Rich Man Poor Man - My Review

I finished the epic Rich Man Poor Man the other night... actually stayed up way too late to finish it... this is one long book! My copy was 666 pages, small print. It of course covers 20+ years in the lives of the three Jordache siblings, Rudolph, Thomas and Gretchen. Rudolph being the "rich man", Thomas the "poor man". This is an enjoyable soap, even though I'm not sure I can say I really like any of the characters. I'm sure Rudolph is supposed to be the hero, at least he is the one the whole family seems to rely on for help, especially the whiny, sick mother who he basically supports when the father disappears ( he has drowned himself though she is sure he has just taken off) , but Rudolph rubs me the wrong way in several ways. Mostly through constantly wishing his mother dead, if only to himself. I know she is a pill, but still... sometimes he is downright cruel with her. Gretchen is definitely not a favorite character either... she is mainly a doormat for several men to treat her horribly. In her later years she even has a lover who she knows has at least two mistresses. Thomas is by far the most likable, even though he is the black sheep. Ironically, in the end, he ends up making an ultimate sacrifice for Rudy, who he has spent most of the book and the 20 years despising. Also, ironically, Rudy and Gretchen stupidly and indirectly start the ball rolling for the chain of events that lead to the tragic end. May I say, these three are constantly drinking throughout the book! Almost always have whiskey, scotch, etc on hand. It is a very enjoyable, engrossing book by Irwin Shaw. I reccomend it to those who have not yet read it. I am going to look for the followup Beggarman, Thief as soon as I can...