Review- Run by Ann Patchett

Tip and Teddy were abandoned by their mother as babies and adopted by Bernard and Bernadette Doyle. Four years later Bernadette dies of cancer. The story is set 12 years after their mother dies, Tip and Teddy are now university students, Tip studying to be an ichthyologist (fish specialist), and Teddy considering the priesthood (the Doyle's are Irish Catholics). Their father is the former mayor of Boston and is disappointed since his sons do not want to go into politics. One night they are scheduled to attend a lecture taught by Jesse Jackson with their dad, and after the lecture they get into a heated argument. Tip walks into the middle of the street and narrowly avoids being hit by an SUV, only saved by a woman named Tennessee who is with her daughter Kenya. It is then discovered that Tennessee is Tip and Teddy's biological mother and has been watching them all these years, carrying her daughter Kenya along with her.



Run brings together many concepts- interracial adoption, religion, politics, and family. It has many main characters, and everyone in this story is a protagonist. It has a lot going on at all times, and takes place over the span of just 24 hours. Though I did enjoy the book it is a little more chiclit-ey than I hoped for, and not something I would normally read. I'm not into reading about religion and I didn't enjoy that aspect, but I did like aspect of the Virgin Mary statue, and I think that tied in with the book well. Run is a book you're likely to find at an airport shop. It's perfect for long trips, or maybe a day on the beach.