I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
So Far Gone: A Novel by Jess Walter Published by Harper on June 10, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Literary
Pages: 272
Format: ARC
Source: Edelweiss
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Goodreads
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Ruins—and in the propulsive spirit of Charles Portis’ True Grit—comes a hilarious, empathetic, and brilliantly provocative adventure through life in modern America, about a reclusive journalist forced back into the world to rescue his kidnapped grandchildren.
"A warm, funny, loving novel. . . . It's an American original."—Ann Patchett, New York Times bestselling author of Tom Lake
"So Far Gone is a marvel.”—Tom Perrotta, New York Times bestselling author of The Leftovers
Rhys Kinnick has gone off the grid. At Thanksgiving a few years back, a fed-up Rhys punched his conspiracy-theorist son-in-law in the mouth, chucked his smartphone out a car window and fled for a cabin in the woods, with no one around except a pack of hungry raccoons.
Now Kinnick’s old life is about to land right back on his crumbling doorstep. Can this failed husband and father, a man with no internet and a car that barely runs, reemerge into a broken world to track down his missing daughter and save his sweet, precocious grandchildren from the members of a dangerous militia?
With the help of his caustic ex-girlfriend, a bipolar retired detective, and his only friend (who happens to be furious with him), Kinnick heads off on a wild journey through cultural lunacy and the rubble of a life he thought he’d left behind. So Far Gone is a rollicking, razor-sharp, and moving road trip through a fractured nation, from a writer who has been called “a genius of the modern American moment” (Philadelphia Inquirer).
Review
In his latest novel, So Far Gone, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jess Walter delivers a masterful blend of humor, heart, and suspense that proves he hasn’t lost his touch for capturing the peculiarities of modern American life. Drawing comparisons to Charles Portis’s True Grit in its wild, propulsive energy, this novel marks another triumph for Walter, whose previous works include the acclaimed Beautiful Ruins.
The story follows a reclusive journalist who’s forced to emerge from his self-imposed exile when his grandchildren are kidnapped. Our protagonist, Kinnick, is a character who perfectly embodies our contemporary anxieties about technology and connection – he’s deliberately stepped away from the modern world, making his forced re-entry all the more compelling. When crisis strikes, he must navigate the very society he’s rejected, accompanied by an unlikely crew: his caustic ex-girlfriend, a bipolar retired detective, and his one remaining friend (who happens to be furious with him).
Walter’s signature writing style shines throughout the narrative. The author masterfully balances sharp humor with genuine emotional depth. His background as a former journalist is evident in his keen eye for detail and ability to capture the absurdities of contemporary life with precision and wit.
What sets this novel apart is its ability to be simultaneously hilarious and deeply moving. Walter has crafted what Ann Patchett describes as “a warm, funny, loving novel… built out of so many horrible parts.” This paradox is at the heart of the book’s success – it manages to be both a cutting commentary on modern America and a deeply human story about family, redemption, and the courage it takes to re-engage with a world that seems to have gone mad.
The novel’s pacing is relentless, driven by the urgency of the kidnapping plot, but Walter never sacrifices character development for speed. Each member of the makeshift rescue party is fully realized, their interactions crackling with tension and wit. The author’s talent for creating complex, flawed characters who feel absolutely real is on full display.
Thematically, So Far Gone explores our complicated relationship with technology, the price of isolation, and the unexpected ways family ties can pull us back into the world. Walter seems to suggest that while modern life might be worth criticizing, it’s still worth living – a nuanced take that avoids both knee-jerk pessimism and blind optimism.
The novel’s few weaknesses are minor compared to its achievements. Some might find the initial setup requires patience, as Walter takes time to establish Kinnick’s hermit-like existence before launching into the main action. However, this investment pays off as the story unfolds.
So Far Gone continues Walter’s tradition of defying easy categorization. It’s part thriller, part family drama, part social satire, and wholly engaging. The author’s ability to move between these modes while maintaining a coherent narrative voice is impressive, creating a reading experience that feels both fresh and familiar.
Verdict: Jess Walter has delivered another American original – a novel that captures our current moment while telling a timeless story about the choices we make in the name of protection and connection. Both longtime fans and newcomers to Walter’s work will find much to admire in this smart, affecting, and ultimately life-affirming tale.
3.5/5 stars
