What do readers think of The Fortunate Ones by Ed Tarkington? Write your own review.

At first, I loved the book; I thought, "It really is a new Pat Conroy. Then when it got nearer the end, I didn't like it as much. I can't comment much without giving the plot away.
Vanessa's problem had to involve someone else and that was never clarified. Then she talked about marriage: It "isn't always about love. " True for some; but a bleak picture. Perhaps that was the intent. And it may have been used do indicate that the "fortunate ones" aren't always as fortunate as they look from the outside. (But I already knew that from my own
observations.) "The other problem of Arthur's seemed just a little much to me. It felt throw in just to be "contemporary". Other than that, a good read.

The Fortunate Ones is a very readable novel. Using the trope of the poor boy who enters a world of privilege and changes, Tarkington has made a character driven and compelling story. There are themes like the effects of wealth and privilege, loyalty, staying true to values, love in many forms and transformation. Definitely recommended.

I waited to read this book, knowing that any chores and creative dinners would be put off until I finished. I was not disappointed. The book asks readers to question our deep-seated assumptions about class and politics and race and religion. It also asks us to know, really know, the people whom we ask to help us believe in ourselves. This timely novel reads almost like a biography whose well-rounded characters teach us to examine our reasons for hope and happiness. Add this one to your TBR list.

I enjoyed the story of Charlie Boykin. Born in Nashville in the early seventies, son of a struggling, but devoted single mom, he receives a scholarship to an elite private school. Soon Charlie is taken under the wing of golden boy Archer Creigh. Shortly the lives of Charlie, and his mom, improve dramatically as they become entwined with the wealthy upper echelons of Nashville society. These early events set the trajectory of their lives. Thoughtful and well written, interesting characters. I recommend this novel. Thank you to Bookbrowse for the chance to read the ARC of Ed Tarkington's new novel, The Fortunate Ones.

Charlie Boykin is the son of a single mom just trying to survive. She manages to use her connections to get him a full scholarship into an elite boarding school. There he becomes enamored with the wealthy Arch Creigh and gets increasing entangled in his shaky morality and many lies. It's an interesting take on how we grow, who we choose to be our models and what do we do when the people we worship are not worthy. It raises questions about about privilege and entitlement that have been asked and explored in many different and better ways. The book is a quick read and has some unexpected twists that I enjoyed. Overall it was a good but not great read.

I would more accurately give this book a 3.5 rating. It is a very crisply written and nice read. The plot is straightforward and the story is interesting, if not especially original or thought provoking The novel addresses the themes of morality and human nature and some of the contradictions that we all face. No one is all good or all bad. I would recommend this book but it is not a "don't miss."

An interesting read. What is it like to be "adopted" by a family of significantly greater resources. What is it like to be on the fringes of your new societal circle. How many of us have tried to fill in gaps in our personal histories. I believe we all have shared journeys similar to those set forth by the author. I was a little surprised by some of the issues resolved in the end that I had not even identified. An interesting read worth your time as at stirs you to find out more about your history.

In Ed Tarkington's The Fortunate Ones, take a journey through the formative years and beyond from the perspective of Archer Creigh, from a privileged family, and Charlie Boykin, from an underprivileged one, and discover how their lives become intertwined and depend on each other. In this engaging thoughtful book, the reader explores the dynamics and interconnections between the wealthy and underprivileged families, who they depend upon, and for what and how they handle their differences and similarities.

Throughout the novel many questions are raised for the reader to ponder. One question not answered: yes, the reader the sees the fortunate ones, but what about the unfortunate ones who do not receive the advantages that Charlie and his mother Bonnie received? The author does provide a full array of life decisions made by the two main characters, including Charlie deciding he must escape from this life to head to Mexico and be with other friends and pursue his art career, but devotion to his mother causes him to come home and return to his former life and support Archer and his aspirations to seek political office because of the lifeline he gave to Charlie.

The Fortunate Ones will provide the reader much thought with a wide array of characters and how they interact with one another, and how their thought processes and consequent emotional reactions add to interactions with the other characters, all of whom have contributions and indiscretions but support how the plot evolves.

Despite not looking enough at the unfortunate ones, The Fortunate Ones is a recommended and thoughtful read, because the author's focus in The Fortunate Ones was to look those who were given the opportunity to be fortunate.