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The Old Place
A bighearted and moving debut about a wry retired schoolteacher whose decade-old secret threatens to come to light and send shockwaves through her small Texas town.
Billington, Texas, is a place where nothing changes. Well, almost nothing. For the first time in nearly four decades, Mary Alice Roth is not getting ready for the first day of school at Billington High. A few months into her retirement—or, district mandated exile as she calls it—Mary Alice does not know how to fill her days. The annual picnic is coming up, but that isn’t nearly enough since the menu never changes and she had the roles mentally assigned weeks ago. At least there’s Ellie, who stops by each morning for coffee and whose reemergence in Mary Alice’s life is the one thing soothing the sting of retirement.
Mary Alice and Ellie were a pair since the day Ellie moved in next door. That they both were single mothers – Mary Alice widowed, Ellie divorced—with sons the same age was a pleasant coincidence, but they were forever linked when they lost the boys, one right after the other. Years later, the two are working their way back to a comfortable friendship. But when Mary Alice’s sister arrives on her doorstep with a staggering piece of news, it jeopardizes the careful shell she’s built around her life. The whole of her friendship with Ellie is put at risk, the fabric of a place as steadfast as Billington is questioned, and the unflappable, knotty fixture that is Mary Alice Roth might have to change after all.
Billington, Texas, is a place where nothing changes. Well, almost nothing. For the first time in nearly four decades, Mary Alice Roth is not getting ready for the first day of school at Billington High. A few months into her retirement—or, district mandated exile as she calls it—Mary Alice does not know how to fill her days. The annual picnic is coming up, but that isn’t nearly enough since the menu never changes and she had the roles mentally assigned weeks ago. At least there’s Ellie, who stops by each morning for coffee and whose reemergence in Mary Alice’s life is the one thing soothing the sting of retirement.
Mary Alice and Ellie were a pair since the day Ellie moved in next door. That they both were single mothers – Mary Alice widowed, Ellie divorced—with sons the same age was a pleasant coincidence, but they were forever linked when they lost the boys, one right after the other. Years later, the two are working their way back to a comfortable friendship. But when Mary Alice’s sister arrives on her doorstep with a staggering piece of news, it jeopardizes the careful shell she’s built around her life. The whole of her friendship with Ellie is put at risk, the fabric of a place as steadfast as Billington is questioned, and the unflappable, knotty fixture that is Mary Alice Roth might have to change after all.
Audiobook
First published September 20, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 784 reviews
December 18, 2021
Why wouldn’t I simply give this five stars?
November 10, 2022
This book is a Them to me.
11/10/22: I enjoyed The Old Place, though there were just like . . . two too many Big Reveals for my taste, I think. It's the kind of book that butts right up against melodrama and sometimes tips over the edge, as a result. But I don't think that's its aspiration - I think it's looking to be a bit more Anne Tyler, or something? (I've only read one Tyler book, so that surmise is mostly on vibes.) The melodrama also meant the book lost focus some times.
But, overall, I enjoyed it and the attention to detail, which is a definite strength. This is a book about the quotidian, except it's also about the secrets and lies that the quotidian sometimes covers up. If you like that sort of thing, you should give this a try. Sometimes books use details as a kind of shortcut to specificity, but this one doesn't take shortcuts. The details are just appropriate.
There were a couple of odd things, though, which were also details. Like, why is the book treating people in their early 60s as if they are old? And how are there so many widowed people in such a small town?
But overall I appreciated the commitment to a difficult central character, including the real cost of that difficulty.
11/10/22: I enjoyed The Old Place, though there were just like . . . two too many Big Reveals for my taste, I think. It's the kind of book that butts right up against melodrama and sometimes tips over the edge, as a result. But I don't think that's its aspiration - I think it's looking to be a bit more Anne Tyler, or something? (I've only read one Tyler book, so that surmise is mostly on vibes.) The melodrama also meant the book lost focus some times.
But, overall, I enjoyed it and the attention to detail, which is a definite strength. This is a book about the quotidian, except it's also about the secrets and lies that the quotidian sometimes covers up. If you like that sort of thing, you should give this a try. Sometimes books use details as a kind of shortcut to specificity, but this one doesn't take shortcuts. The details are just appropriate.
There were a couple of odd things, though, which were also details. Like, why is the book treating people in their early 60s as if they are old? And how are there so many widowed people in such a small town?
But overall I appreciated the commitment to a difficult central character, including the real cost of that difficulty.
September 21, 2022
I love this place
Update from a long-time listener, first-time reader: I enjoyed this place! This book wasn't what I necessarily expected, even based on the blurb. It's an ensemble cast set in a small Texas town, with tensions that build towards the town's annual charity picnic. Most of the book revolves around the main character, Mary Alice Roth, but there are also significant sections dedicated to the young NYC transplant who takes her teaching job, her best friend Ellie, and her son, Michael.
The most successful parts of the book for me were the descriptions of the Texas hill country and small-town life. (If you don't have grackles, your setting is wrong!) I also really liked some of the insights hidden in the writing. The one that will stick with me comes from Michael, who wonders why parents make jokes about their own kids to bond with other adults. I highlighted a few sections that I really liked; the one-liners feel true and pertinent.
I had a more difficult time with the overall structure of the book and the perspective switches, which sometimes threw me off. I think Bobby mentioned that the book started as a screenplay, and it honestly does read like one. I was never really sure why we were spending so much time with Josie, or why the teaching job takes up so much of the first part of the book before melting into the background. I also think the subject matter made it difficult for me (personally) to get into the world. There's so much sadness and regret tied up in the mother/son relationships.
Ultimately, I need the fancast of this book. It would make a fun prestige miniseries.
Update from a long-time listener, first-time reader: I enjoyed this place! This book wasn't what I necessarily expected, even based on the blurb. It's an ensemble cast set in a small Texas town, with tensions that build towards the town's annual charity picnic. Most of the book revolves around the main character, Mary Alice Roth, but there are also significant sections dedicated to the young NYC transplant who takes her teaching job, her best friend Ellie, and her son, Michael.
The most successful parts of the book for me were the descriptions of the Texas hill country and small-town life. (If you don't have grackles, your setting is wrong!) I also really liked some of the insights hidden in the writing. The one that will stick with me comes from Michael, who wonders why parents make jokes about their own kids to bond with other adults. I highlighted a few sections that I really liked; the one-liners feel true and pertinent.
I had a more difficult time with the overall structure of the book and the perspective switches, which sometimes threw me off. I think Bobby mentioned that the book started as a screenplay, and it honestly does read like one. I was never really sure why we were spending so much time with Josie, or why the teaching job takes up so much of the first part of the book before melting into the background. I also think the subject matter made it difficult for me (personally) to get into the world. There's so much sadness and regret tied up in the mother/son relationships.
Ultimately, I need the fancast of this book. It would make a fun prestige miniseries.
January 4, 2023
Me in The Old Place.
August 11, 2023
The Old Place by Bobby Finger is a Deeply Affecting Debut Novel!
Mary Alice Roth has a BIG presence and she uses it to her advantage!
Right now Mary Alice is mad at the world. She's been forced to retire from the teaching position she loved and held for 40 years.
She's angry about her life, all her spare time, and she's taking her frustrations out on whoever happens to be in front of her. But mostly she's lashing out at her replacement.
The only person Mary Alice can relate to is her long-time friend and neighbor, Ellie. It's a friendship that has sustained them both through the years.
When Mary Alice's estranged sister, Katherine comes to visit she brings news that could destroy the only thing Mary Alice cherishes and gives her comfort: her friendship with Ellie...
The Old Place is a story with S-E-C-R-E-T-S, my favorite kind of Small-town Fiction, and fictional Billings, TX is written as a perfectly unique, offbeat, quaint small-town. The mix of characters is diverse and despite Mary Alice being a piece-of-work, she's surrounded by women who seem to get her. Unbelievably, they accept her as she is.
I chose this audiobook thinking it was going to be a much lighter listen than it turned out to be. It has themes of love, marriage, family, and loss that will impact you emotionally and may even cause your heart to break for these characters. There wasn't a moment of disappointment while listening to this story but rather a much more satisfying experience than I had anticipated. The audiobook narrator is Barrie Kreinik, need I say more?
The Old Place is this author's debut novel, simply and tenderly written with the familiar hues and essence of small-town America. I look forward to his next offering and I highly recommend this one! 4 stars!
Mary Alice Roth has a BIG presence and she uses it to her advantage!
Right now Mary Alice is mad at the world. She's been forced to retire from the teaching position she loved and held for 40 years.
She's angry about her life, all her spare time, and she's taking her frustrations out on whoever happens to be in front of her. But mostly she's lashing out at her replacement.
The only person Mary Alice can relate to is her long-time friend and neighbor, Ellie. It's a friendship that has sustained them both through the years.
When Mary Alice's estranged sister, Katherine comes to visit she brings news that could destroy the only thing Mary Alice cherishes and gives her comfort: her friendship with Ellie...
The Old Place is a story with S-E-C-R-E-T-S, my favorite kind of Small-town Fiction, and fictional Billings, TX is written as a perfectly unique, offbeat, quaint small-town. The mix of characters is diverse and despite Mary Alice being a piece-of-work, she's surrounded by women who seem to get her. Unbelievably, they accept her as she is.
I chose this audiobook thinking it was going to be a much lighter listen than it turned out to be. It has themes of love, marriage, family, and loss that will impact you emotionally and may even cause your heart to break for these characters. There wasn't a moment of disappointment while listening to this story but rather a much more satisfying experience than I had anticipated. The audiobook narrator is Barrie Kreinik, need I say more?
The Old Place is this author's debut novel, simply and tenderly written with the familiar hues and essence of small-town America. I look forward to his next offering and I highly recommend this one! 4 stars!
October 10, 2022
Hm. I don't know. Between 2 and 3 stars, but I have to round to three because I didn't really notice all the flaws till the end.
This was interesting. I feel like it was really well-written in some places, but often, the plot seemed a jumble. Some elements were really over-exaggerated and some loose ends were never tied up. There were a lot of threads of the story and they rarely braided together cohesively.
I still don't fully understand
The teaching job Mary Alice was "forced to retire" from was of the utmost importance at the beginning. I thought her But point being, it was literally made out to be her whole reason for living. Then it was like as soon as
The character of Josie was interesting, and I really liked the relationship between her and her husband. But I didn't really find it believable that a young mom and wife would be so concerned with impressing the older ladies of the town instead of worrying about her family/finding friends her own age. And while I enjoyed hearing from her POV, I'm not really sure why she and her husband's family were in the story as much as they were.
The pacing was...odd. The "old place" of the title didn't even appear until about 40% in, and even then I guess I didn't feel like it was quite enough of the story to make it the title. A lot of the meat of the story was revealed near the end. I don't mind stories with less plot but it was a lot to suddenly digest at the end and make sense.
Finally, something about Mary Alice's character felt...unexplored and unfinished to me. The bitter curmudgeon is a popualar character but often their characterization is boiled down to just I guess that some people are the way they are because of things like this, and I don't even mind that being part of her character, but I still felt she deserved more than being boiled down to a few events shaping her. I felt like we could have learned more about her. I walked away still feeling like I didn't get her.
Like I said though, I enjoyed a lot of the ride though. I don't mind books that meander like this. I liked getting to know the characters despite the book's flaws. And I didn't really see all these flaws until the book ended, and I was like, "Oh. Hm...that's it?" I always like to be forgiving of debut novels and would definitely check this author out again in the future.
This was interesting. I feel like it was really well-written in some places, but often, the plot seemed a jumble. Some elements were really over-exaggerated and some loose ends were never tied up. There were a lot of threads of the story and they rarely braided together cohesively.
I still don't fully understand
The teaching job Mary Alice was "forced to retire" from was of the utmost importance at the beginning. I thought her But point being, it was literally made out to be her whole reason for living. Then it was like as soon as
The character of Josie was interesting, and I really liked the relationship between her and her husband. But I didn't really find it believable that a young mom and wife would be so concerned with impressing the older ladies of the town instead of worrying about her family/finding friends her own age. And while I enjoyed hearing from her POV, I'm not really sure why she and her husband's family were in the story as much as they were.
The pacing was...odd. The "old place" of the title didn't even appear until about 40% in, and even then I guess I didn't feel like it was quite enough of the story to make it the title. A lot of the meat of the story was revealed near the end. I don't mind stories with less plot but it was a lot to suddenly digest at the end and make sense.
Finally, something about Mary Alice's character felt...unexplored and unfinished to me. The bitter curmudgeon is a popualar character but often their characterization is boiled down to just I guess that some people are the way they are because of things like this, and I don't even mind that being part of her character, but I still felt she deserved more than being boiled down to a few events shaping her. I felt like we could have learned more about her. I walked away still feeling like I didn't get her.
Like I said though, I enjoyed a lot of the ride though. I don't mind books that meander like this. I liked getting to know the characters despite the book's flaws. And I didn't really see all these flaws until the book ended, and I was like, "Oh. Hm...that's it?" I always like to be forgiving of debut novels and would definitely check this author out again in the future.
October 18, 2022
I enjoyed this book because it was set in Texas and was full of things and places I know (such as HEB, the grocery store). However, I did not find the story or the characters to be that complex or interesting. I certainly recognize that I am in the minority on this one, since it is well rated and reviewed.
September 26, 2022
Bobby Finger's debut novel, THE OLD PLACE, may have had one of the most emotionally thought provoking endings I've read recently. Without diving too much into the book, it takes place in Texas and involves two main protagonists, Mary Alice and her friend Ellie, and their bond after a devastating series of events in their past. Mary Alice has retired from teaching and is struggling with figuring out what to do with herself, but her friendship with Ellie keeps her occupied. When Mary Alice's sister arrives in town and shares news that could shatter the duo's friendship, Mary Alice must figure out how to come to terms with issues she's long held hidden deep down.
This book is small town Big Little Lies through and through. As mentioned earlier, the ending is what bumped this to a 4-star read for me as it's ultimately a slow burn family drama, which isn't always my thing. But just know that the pay-off for this book delivers and then some. If you like small town secrets, big time lies, and secrets, secrets, secrets; then THE OLD PLACE will be the novel for you. I am excited to see what Bobby Finger delivers to readers next.
This book is small town Big Little Lies through and through. As mentioned earlier, the ending is what bumped this to a 4-star read for me as it's ultimately a slow burn family drama, which isn't always my thing. But just know that the pay-off for this book delivers and then some. If you like small town secrets, big time lies, and secrets, secrets, secrets; then THE OLD PLACE will be the novel for you. I am excited to see what Bobby Finger delivers to readers next.
November 29, 2022
The first 90% of the book were a slow and boring build up and then the author tried to wrap everything up in the last 10%. This led to a rushed ending and a resolution that felt both unrealistic and unbelievable because it seemed too quick and tidy. Some characters changed their mind out of nowhere to fit the narrative.
Additionally, there were a lot of unnecessary details and POVs from characters who were not important to the main plot. There was barely a plot to begin with, just a lot of sad people with secrets who gossip about other people. Very boring.
Additionally, there were a lot of unnecessary details and POVs from characters who were not important to the main plot. There was barely a plot to begin with, just a lot of sad people with secrets who gossip about other people. Very boring.
August 21, 2024
I did the audio version of this book 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫. This story switches back and forth in time. With the audio it took me awhile to figure out which time period was happening. I think for this reason I would have been better off reading it. The narrator did a good job
April 8, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Putnam for the eARC.
Bobby Finger is an icon and the moment, as all Wholigans know. I will be needing a who to them ranking of all of Billington (I know Josie's pool is a THEM).
This is not exactly what I would have guessed Bobby's debut novel would be, but it WAS incredibly Texan and a satisfying family drama.
My Bobby fandom remains unshaken. Also, what an auspicious title for my 100th NetGalley review!
Bobby Finger is an icon and the moment, as all Wholigans know. I will be needing a who to them ranking of all of Billington (I know Josie's pool is a THEM).
This is not exactly what I would have guessed Bobby's debut novel would be, but it WAS incredibly Texan and a satisfying family drama.
My Bobby fandom remains unshaken. Also, what an auspicious title for my 100th NetGalley review!
October 5, 2023
Nope! Not for me. When your main character is a cranky, old woman who comes across as selfish and down right nasty, it becomes an automatic fail for me. The sad thing is that I stuck with the entire book because the other characters made excuses for her acting that way. Made it sound like her past was the cause. So I stuck with it waiting for the ultimate reveal. When it finally happened, my brain was like a very full untied balloon. Suddenly it was let go and the balloon went crazy. Hissing like mad around my head only to ultimately fall flat. It ended up being such a lame excuse. She acted terribly in the past so her mad reasoning was to continue to act that way. Her overreaction to her son and comparing it to the son's father was just too far-fetched for me. She finally redeemed herself in the epilogue but by then, it was too late. I did like a lot of the other characters. Too bad the book wasn't about them.
September 7, 2022
Mary Alice was a teacher in small town Billington, Tx. until she was forced into retirement. She has a lot in common with her best friend, Ellie. Both are now single and both lost their only sons; but their personalities are very different. Mary Alice is NOT happy about her retirement or her life and takes this displeasure out on all those around her, especially the teacher hired to replace her. When MA’s estranged sister shows up, family secrets unfold, relationships upended.
This is a well written story with a painfully accurate depiction of small town life and familial connections. It is a fast read. I enjoyed the characterizations and poignant life observations. I have to admit that Bobby Finger was an unknown to me. He is a podcaster, journalist, pop culture critic and this is his debut novel. The ending was a bit abrupt, but satisfying. As a debut, I give it 5 stars. I think it would make a good choice for a book club.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penquin Group Putnam for the ARC.
This is a well written story with a painfully accurate depiction of small town life and familial connections. It is a fast read. I enjoyed the characterizations and poignant life observations. I have to admit that Bobby Finger was an unknown to me. He is a podcaster, journalist, pop culture critic and this is his debut novel. The ending was a bit abrupt, but satisfying. As a debut, I give it 5 stars. I think it would make a good choice for a book club.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penquin Group Putnam for the ARC.
July 12, 2022
Josie Kerr Who, Josie's Pool Them
Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for the eARC!
Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for the eARC!
June 27, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of “The Old Place” in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to love this one. I really did. I had a hard time figuring out what the ultimate goal of the novel was. It was very slow, which can be fine if the characters are well developed. But, I had a hard time finding myself caring about any of the characters. None of them were very likable at all. The first 80% of the book was exposition and the last 20% wrapped everything up. I really, really wanted to love this. Congratulations to the author and well done!
July 5, 2022
This is the kind of ""women's fiction"" ""literary novel"" that I might not have picked up if it hadn't been written by the cohost of a podcast I love, but I'm glad I did! I really enjoyed this tragi-comic look at small-town secrets. I appreciated the room for character growth and that all of the main women had developed personalities. The Texan small-town gossip scene was perfectly developed.
October 1, 2022
Thank you to @putnambooks for and ARC of #TheOldPlace.
You’ve got to be thrilled when you find a book by a #debutauthor that you just love. Believe me when I say I was 𝘛𝘏𝘙𝘐𝘓𝘓𝘌𝘋 with 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘 by Bobby Finger. So much about this book just resonated with me, and without getting into many plot details, I’m going to share why.
∙ The main character, Mary Alice, is a reluctantly retired high school math teacher living in a small Texas town. A bit of a curmudgeon, Mary Alice reminded me of Olive Kitteridge, only I liked her much more. Mary Alice’s sad, complicated life pulled at my heartstrings.
∙ Though I’d call this a character-driven story, it’s one that moves quickly and still has a good deal of action going on.
∙ This is a story of friendships found, lost and found again. It’s a story of what it means to truly be a friend.
∙ Family stories are among my favorites and in this, family trauma and deeply buried secrets are at its core.
∙ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 is populated with charming, quirky small town characters brimming with authenticity.
∙ For what initially feels like a whimsical, odd little story it gets pleasingly emotional by the midpoint.
∙ Finally, you have to appreciate male authors who write women so well. Bravo to that, @bobbyfinger! I couldn’t put it down.
If 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 isn’t already on your TBR list, I highly recommend you add it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
You’ve got to be thrilled when you find a book by a #debutauthor that you just love. Believe me when I say I was 𝘛𝘏𝘙𝘐𝘓𝘓𝘌𝘋 with 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘 by Bobby Finger. So much about this book just resonated with me, and without getting into many plot details, I’m going to share why.
∙ The main character, Mary Alice, is a reluctantly retired high school math teacher living in a small Texas town. A bit of a curmudgeon, Mary Alice reminded me of Olive Kitteridge, only I liked her much more. Mary Alice’s sad, complicated life pulled at my heartstrings.
∙ Though I’d call this a character-driven story, it’s one that moves quickly and still has a good deal of action going on.
∙ This is a story of friendships found, lost and found again. It’s a story of what it means to truly be a friend.
∙ Family stories are among my favorites and in this, family trauma and deeply buried secrets are at its core.
∙ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 is populated with charming, quirky small town characters brimming with authenticity.
∙ For what initially feels like a whimsical, odd little story it gets pleasingly emotional by the midpoint.
∙ Finally, you have to appreciate male authors who write women so well. Bravo to that, @bobbyfinger! I couldn’t put it down.
If 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘭𝘥 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 isn’t already on your TBR list, I highly recommend you add it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
August 31, 2022
I received this book as a part of a Goodreads giveaway. All opinions are still my own.
So.. this had no business being so fun to read. It was one big pot of my favorite things: flawed characters, small town vibes, drama that presents like gossip. It felt like talking to an old Southern grandma about what’s hot and new in her dusty little cul-de-sac.
I read an ARC, so I don’t want to make any definitive statements about what could or couldn’t be left out. I think some parts were unnecessary, and some ends were left loose, but that’s not to say it will be like that forever.
I truly enjoyed The Old Place. It made me miss the silly little gossip whispered around at my family’s small town events. A beautiful portrayal of the things we put up with for the people we love, particularly during times of grief or struggle.
So.. this had no business being so fun to read. It was one big pot of my favorite things: flawed characters, small town vibes, drama that presents like gossip. It felt like talking to an old Southern grandma about what’s hot and new in her dusty little cul-de-sac.
I read an ARC, so I don’t want to make any definitive statements about what could or couldn’t be left out. I think some parts were unnecessary, and some ends were left loose, but that’s not to say it will be like that forever.
I truly enjoyed The Old Place. It made me miss the silly little gossip whispered around at my family’s small town events. A beautiful portrayal of the things we put up with for the people we love, particularly during times of grief or struggle.
February 9, 2025
2.5; a little better than just ok. However, not really much of a story, when all is said and done… and read. A very unlikable main character, and even the “revelations” of the secrets that have made her so bitter never excuse her. I mean, WHO would march into the classroom of the teacher who has replaced you after your retirement, albeit forced, on the first day of school and so gleefully work to undermine her?!?! Why should anyone give that gross behavior any kind of pass? But I did listen to the whole book, so maybe I’m the fool. Anyway, there were flashes of interest along the way, and the narration was exceptional.
October 29, 2022
4.5 stars
In Bobby Finger's debut novel, secrets and drama abound for one woman in a small Texas town.
Mary Alice has always been a formidable presence in the small town of Billington. She’s been a teacher for almost 40 years, and she’s a bossy, opinionated, slightly mean woman, although most in town let her attitude roll off their backs.
Forced into retirement by the school district, she doesn’t know how to occupy her time, other than showing up at the school and terrorizing her replacement. But there is one bright spot: she starts having coffee with her next door neighbor, Ellie, every morning. The two single mothers had been close for years, and their teenage sons were friends, too. But after both women lost their sons, one after another, the grief strained their relationship.
As their friendship starts to deepen again, Mary Alice’s estranged sister arrives in Billington to share a bombshell that could change not only Mary Alice’s life, but her relationship with Ellie. How much longer can she protect the secrets that are swirling around her and her life in Billington?
At first I thought this was going to be a story with a lovable curmudgeon who sees the beauty of belonging, but that definitely wasn’t the case here. I love family drama and the revealing of secrets, so this book was definitely up my alley. It’s a slow burn, but I was hooked from the start.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
In Bobby Finger's debut novel, secrets and drama abound for one woman in a small Texas town.
Mary Alice has always been a formidable presence in the small town of Billington. She’s been a teacher for almost 40 years, and she’s a bossy, opinionated, slightly mean woman, although most in town let her attitude roll off their backs.
Forced into retirement by the school district, she doesn’t know how to occupy her time, other than showing up at the school and terrorizing her replacement. But there is one bright spot: she starts having coffee with her next door neighbor, Ellie, every morning. The two single mothers had been close for years, and their teenage sons were friends, too. But after both women lost their sons, one after another, the grief strained their relationship.
As their friendship starts to deepen again, Mary Alice’s estranged sister arrives in Billington to share a bombshell that could change not only Mary Alice’s life, but her relationship with Ellie. How much longer can she protect the secrets that are swirling around her and her life in Billington?
At first I thought this was going to be a story with a lovable curmudgeon who sees the beauty of belonging, but that definitely wasn’t the case here. I love family drama and the revealing of secrets, so this book was definitely up my alley. It’s a slow burn, but I was hooked from the start.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
September 20, 2022
“The Old Place”, is a delightful, touching, and thoroughly entertaining debut novel by Bobby Finger. The story is set in Billington, a small Texas town, and though I live in Houston (NOT a small town) I loved reading details about Texas that will be familiar to all Texans:
• The Cracker Barrel Gift Shop
• H-E-B
• Velveeta and Ro*Tel
• “Traumatic mayonnaise-based memories”
This is the story of two woman in their 60s, Mary Alice Roth and Ellie Hall, and their sons Michael and Kenneth. Finger deftly weaves their stories with both humor and pathos. Clearly Finger (a native Texan), has empathy for these characters and a real feel for this setting and the topic that drives the story.
But it’s more than just the story of these two women; Finger does a marvelous job with all the denizens of this small town, as varied and unique as real folks are! It was lovely to spend time in their company and laugh (and cry) with them.
The people of Billington may think they know everything about their neighbors, but thanks to Finger’s careful plotting and gradually revealed secrets and twists, we know they certainly do not. I won’t reveal any here!
As much as I’d love to see this on film or TV, I’m afraid that Hollywood will, yet again, get the Texas accent wrong (they usually use a “generic southern drawl” which is not how Texans sound.) But I would love to see these characters come alive on screen.
• The Cracker Barrel Gift Shop
• H-E-B
• Velveeta and Ro*Tel
• “Traumatic mayonnaise-based memories”
This is the story of two woman in their 60s, Mary Alice Roth and Ellie Hall, and their sons Michael and Kenneth. Finger deftly weaves their stories with both humor and pathos. Clearly Finger (a native Texan), has empathy for these characters and a real feel for this setting and the topic that drives the story.
But it’s more than just the story of these two women; Finger does a marvelous job with all the denizens of this small town, as varied and unique as real folks are! It was lovely to spend time in their company and laugh (and cry) with them.
The people of Billington may think they know everything about their neighbors, but thanks to Finger’s careful plotting and gradually revealed secrets and twists, we know they certainly do not. I won’t reveal any here!
As much as I’d love to see this on film or TV, I’m afraid that Hollywood will, yet again, get the Texas accent wrong (they usually use a “generic southern drawl” which is not how Texans sound.) But I would love to see these characters come alive on screen.
October 23, 2022
This book just built and built - in characters, in writing and in story.
June 14, 2024
This was a tough one to get through. Between the writing and the completely unlikeable MC, I was literally being put to sleep. First, the author writes in huge, monotonous paragraphs that take up entire pages - a huge pet peeve of mine. Second, the things he chose to describe AT LENGTH were boring and random. It took an entire page for him to describe a BLT. He interrupted the story to describe the stone used in a building that wasn't even pertinent to the story and took several pages to do so. Weird!
The MC was probably the worst human I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. The town gave her a pass to be a raging lunatic because she lost both her husband and son (so they thought) but when they find out she lied about her son dying and was just a crap mom, they forgave her immediately!
I honestly cannot decipher the point of this book. I can't stop thinking about how much I didn't like this so I'm going to continue editing this with questions/plot holes that come to mind -
1. someone explain why we had Josie's POV? what did she add to the story? What was the point in her going detective for an extremely brief moment and then becoming bffs with Michael at the end??
2. Why don't we get more info about Katherine and John and the fact he was cheating on her from day 1 of their marriage? Like we never touch on why she forgave him and we never got the confrontation.
3. The entire interaction between Katherine and Mary Alice during the wedding does not come close to something that would make me not speak to my sister for DECADES??? I know the author is a male, but surely he understands sibling relationships if not female ones! Telling your sister you hate her during an argument is standard. You make up 10 minutes later without even discussing it, so what happened here? Especially because it seems that everyone knew Samuel was gay and Katherine just pointed it out.
4. Did Mary Alice blame Michael for Samuel's death?? That part was so confusing! Like how in the world is it his fault?
5. How could Mary Alice blame Michael for Kenny's death too???? And offer no emotional support for what Michael was going through?? Idk how she got away with being an icy witch!
6. The part where Mary Alice told ellie she had it worse because Michael was alive but gone..um????? She also told Michael she had it worse because her husband died??? Like MA'AM!!! Your sons FATHER and CHILDHOOD LOVE both died!! Straight up narcissistic behavior.
7. Why TF did Mary Alice continue to avoid her son for a PICNIC?? I am 100% convinced that had Michael not come to find her, she wouldn't have gone to Atlanta after the picnic. Her son was HURTING and in PAIN and searching for HELP and her sister told her all of this and Mary Alice just had to stay behind so she could make a big deal about POTATO SALAD!!
8. I love ellie, but why tf was this entire book and all of Mary Alice's god-awful choices resolved once she said I love you???? I think tf not.
The MC was probably the worst human I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. The town gave her a pass to be a raging lunatic because she lost both her husband and son (so they thought) but when they find out she lied about her son dying and was just a crap mom, they forgave her immediately!
I honestly cannot decipher the point of this book. I can't stop thinking about how much I didn't like this so I'm going to continue editing this with questions/plot holes that come to mind -
1. someone explain why we had Josie's POV? what did she add to the story? What was the point in her going detective for an extremely brief moment and then becoming bffs with Michael at the end??
2. Why don't we get more info about Katherine and John and the fact he was cheating on her from day 1 of their marriage? Like we never touch on why she forgave him and we never got the confrontation.
3. The entire interaction between Katherine and Mary Alice during the wedding does not come close to something that would make me not speak to my sister for DECADES??? I know the author is a male, but surely he understands sibling relationships if not female ones! Telling your sister you hate her during an argument is standard. You make up 10 minutes later without even discussing it, so what happened here? Especially because it seems that everyone knew Samuel was gay and Katherine just pointed it out.
4. Did Mary Alice blame Michael for Samuel's death?? That part was so confusing! Like how in the world is it his fault?
5. How could Mary Alice blame Michael for Kenny's death too???? And offer no emotional support for what Michael was going through?? Idk how she got away with being an icy witch!
6. The part where Mary Alice told ellie she had it worse because Michael was alive but gone..um????? She also told Michael she had it worse because her husband died??? Like MA'AM!!! Your sons FATHER and CHILDHOOD LOVE both died!! Straight up narcissistic behavior.
7. Why TF did Mary Alice continue to avoid her son for a PICNIC?? I am 100% convinced that had Michael not come to find her, she wouldn't have gone to Atlanta after the picnic. Her son was HURTING and in PAIN and searching for HELP and her sister told her all of this and Mary Alice just had to stay behind so she could make a big deal about POTATO SALAD!!
8. I love ellie, but why tf was this entire book and all of Mary Alice's god-awful choices resolved once she said I love you???? I think tf not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2022
3 stars
Debut novel
Former teacher Mary Alice Roth is a difficult person. She is authoritative, opinionated and just plain nasty. That being said, I didn’t warm up to her through the whole novel. It made it difficult for me to read the whole book. The next door neighbor, Ellie, is much kinder and yet she wasn’t that likable, either.
For the first time in forty years, Mary Alice is not getting ready for the first day of school. Yet, she shows up there anyway and harasses the teacher who now has her classroom. Josie is a newcomer to town and is married to a rich man. Josie is building a swimming pool on her property, and is the subject of much gossip and derision in the small minded community of Billington, Texas.
While the premise of this book is a good one, as in a retired teacher coming to terms with her forced outage of her forty-year job, this author could not quite carry the story well. I believe the story was supposed to be a little funny. It wasn’t for me. I detest people belittling and demeaning others. It is embarrassing.
Something occurs that turns Mary Alice’s world upside down. It will affect Ellie as well. Will it destroy their new found friendship? Both single mothers, one as a divorcee, the other through death, they lose their same age boys at nearly the same time. Now, Mary Alice’s sister shows up with astounding news.
What will happen now?
This is a pretty fair first novel. I anticipate with time that the author will find their style. And perhaps create more likable characters…The writing and plotting were good and the dialogue was fine. It is just what was being said in a catty manner that I didn’t like. Perhaps I’ve lost my sense of humor? Hmmm.
I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam’s Sons for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
Debut novel
Former teacher Mary Alice Roth is a difficult person. She is authoritative, opinionated and just plain nasty. That being said, I didn’t warm up to her through the whole novel. It made it difficult for me to read the whole book. The next door neighbor, Ellie, is much kinder and yet she wasn’t that likable, either.
For the first time in forty years, Mary Alice is not getting ready for the first day of school. Yet, she shows up there anyway and harasses the teacher who now has her classroom. Josie is a newcomer to town and is married to a rich man. Josie is building a swimming pool on her property, and is the subject of much gossip and derision in the small minded community of Billington, Texas.
While the premise of this book is a good one, as in a retired teacher coming to terms with her forced outage of her forty-year job, this author could not quite carry the story well. I believe the story was supposed to be a little funny. It wasn’t for me. I detest people belittling and demeaning others. It is embarrassing.
Something occurs that turns Mary Alice’s world upside down. It will affect Ellie as well. Will it destroy their new found friendship? Both single mothers, one as a divorcee, the other through death, they lose their same age boys at nearly the same time. Now, Mary Alice’s sister shows up with astounding news.
What will happen now?
This is a pretty fair first novel. I anticipate with time that the author will find their style. And perhaps create more likable characters…The writing and plotting were good and the dialogue was fine. It is just what was being said in a catty manner that I didn’t like. Perhaps I’ve lost my sense of humor? Hmmm.
I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam’s Sons for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
July 31, 2022
Lovely, accurate portrayal of the good and bad of small town living, particularly the importance of + joy and salvation to be found in driving. Bobby has a great ear for dialogue and handled the shifting perspectives and backstories well. The end felt somewhat abrupt but enjoyed the ride quite a bit.
Crunch crunch - Me in Billington.
Crunch crunch - Me in Billington.
November 5, 2022
Story lines were quite interesting. Unfortunately, they were underdeveloped at the end and tied up too neat and tidy.
September 14, 2023
The Old Place was on a display at my local bookstore, and feeling a little homesick for Texas I decided to give it a try.
Mary Alice Roth is a fixture in her small Texas town outside of San Antonio. She taught math for years at the local high school and runs the church’s annual picnic—the social event of the year. For the first time in decades she isn’t teaching, and her morning coffee dates with her neighbor and best friend Ellie are the only thing keeping her grounded.
Their friendship sprouted when single mom Ellie and her son Kenneth came to town years ago and became inseparable with widowed Mary Alice and her son Michael. The women bonded as they raised their sons until tragedy struck each of them one after the other, putting a strain on their friendship. After years of silence, they are approaching this new version of friendship slowly as each carry around a tremendous amount of hurt over the past.
Despite too much time on her hands, Mary Alice believes things are going surprisingly well until her younger sister comes to town with some shocking news that will disrupt the delicate harmony in her world.
Mary Alice is a character you want to hate, until you realize how broken she is, and then you try not to pity her too much. Her life didn’t always turn out as she planned, but it wasn’t a bad one either. The cast of characters emphasize her need for change. The Old Place was a quick and enjoyable character study with a healthy dose of tragedy thrown in.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
Mary Alice Roth is a fixture in her small Texas town outside of San Antonio. She taught math for years at the local high school and runs the church’s annual picnic—the social event of the year. For the first time in decades she isn’t teaching, and her morning coffee dates with her neighbor and best friend Ellie are the only thing keeping her grounded.
Their friendship sprouted when single mom Ellie and her son Kenneth came to town years ago and became inseparable with widowed Mary Alice and her son Michael. The women bonded as they raised their sons until tragedy struck each of them one after the other, putting a strain on their friendship. After years of silence, they are approaching this new version of friendship slowly as each carry around a tremendous amount of hurt over the past.
Despite too much time on her hands, Mary Alice believes things are going surprisingly well until her younger sister comes to town with some shocking news that will disrupt the delicate harmony in her world.
Mary Alice is a character you want to hate, until you realize how broken she is, and then you try not to pity her too much. Her life didn’t always turn out as she planned, but it wasn’t a bad one either. The cast of characters emphasize her need for change. The Old Place was a quick and enjoyable character study with a healthy dose of tragedy thrown in.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
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November 8, 2022Periodically I will go through a sort of Fiction Desert, where nothing I pick up can hold my attention or if it does it's for terrible reasons (hatereading Meg Wolitzer for example) but THIS lil biscuit really dipped my gravy.
I'm not going to review-review it because tbh the plot goes off the rails and a review would take that into account more thoughtfully than I care to. For my money the plot is the last thing that matters in a book, in a life. I am here for the characters. I am here for what they learn about where their hearts were hard. This book is full of that, of the beautiful dawning of softness and warmth on something that'd been pinched for a long long time.
I'm just gonna include the quotes I marked with tiny post-it arrows so as not to muss this lovely library copy and then I'll return this to the library where I suggest you check it out right away:
"He wasn't just noticing things, he was processing them--taking them apart, examining the pieces, and reassembling them."
I've talked about "processing" one MILLION times but never has it struck me so plainly what the mechanics of it are. I love the clarity this little description brings to what can feel like an endless, impossible labor.
"As a thought it was empowering. As a confession to a friend, it felt self-aggrandizing and pathetic, and she cowered in her armchair immediately after saying it."
There is so much mercy for these characters in this book and this I think is a good example of it. It's wild that you could need to make a confession to a friend and then immediately feel pathetic and self-aggrandizing, but that's really what keeps so many of us keeping secrets so painfully, is the fear of that reveal. I love that this character gets a chance to confess her prideful, petty selfishness.
"This would not go well, she knew that, but she had to look confident." Lol. Yes.
"'No one whispers in this town,' he said with that gentle bluntness she always respected and resented. 'They just wait until you're far enough away and talk normal.'" This book has got JOKES and I appreciate them.
"And today, on the AM dial, it's five callers ranting about using taxpayer funds to build a new central library in nearby San Antonio." Relevant to my interests and lol. (There are some people in my town who have been ranting against the library for ages.)
"Complaints aren't necessarily shameful acts of malice; they can be a kind of conversational awl that pokes right through even the toughest personality. You complain when the important stuff feels invasive or out of reach. You complain because complaining is easy. You complain about an event knowing you will attend it anyway, in part because attending the event will give you something new to complain about. You complain because you like complaining." God this is generous. I am a real hardass about complainers and I could remember the purpose it can serve and be a little kinder.
"No one had ever thought of her as mean until she was suddenly allowed to be. And then they realized it must have been who she was all along."
"The quicker everything blew up in her face, she thought, the quicker she could emerge from the rubble--that is, of course, if she made it out alive." I love this idea of someone looking forward to an inevitable confrontation she's dreading.
I'm not going to type it out but on page 125 there's just this really beautifully evocative little passage about driving somewhere you've driven a million times, and reading it you really feel the writer is familiar with this aspect of country life where sometimes there aren't any signs and you just feel your way and it's the best.
"Despite the abundance of dead people, it really was her favorite kind of novel, a meandering story about sad people who get a little less sad by the end." Same.
"At a certain point, she decided then without argument, life becomes a straight line with no branches, a road with no exit ramps. Grief would define the rest of her years, and it was time for her to get used to that." This is NOT a bummer book even though this passage might make you think it is.
"Francesca had always been the kind of person who would make cynical declarations as an attempt to project confidence and intelligence and a sophisticated sense of humor, and so, in fact, had Josie. But from the moment they decided to leave New York behind, she grew woefully tired of what she believed to be an affect unique to her hometown. Even when you're sitting across from a friend who may be leaving you for good, someone who doesn't want commentary, just a friendly ear and quiet companionship, you're playing for the cheap seats. For what felt like the first time in her adult life, she actually listened to what she said to people. And not only that, she also listened to how she said it. Had she always been a pessimist who treated every conversation like open-mic night and ate twenty-dollar salads for lunch without the slightest hint of enjoyment? All it took was one foot stepping beyond the five boroughs for her to realize how excited she was to escape them entirely."
Mostly I like the bit in here about treating "every conversation like an open-mic night," that is SUCH a sizzling burn. Yeowch. It's nice to frame growing up as a thing that can happen once you get a little perspective, and nice to imagine that that perspective could come from something as simple as a change of scenery.
"It's hard to be there for someone when that someone is the person you need to be there for you."
"A person remains malleable and unformed for so much longer than we give them credit for." This is so lovely! Malleable and unformed as strengths or capacities rather than weakness. So good.
I think I would have read this eventually because Bobby Finger is part of the Blank Checkiverse, but Melissa Dahl Devine was personally stanning for it when we were browsing Books Are Magic and I treasure the recommendation.
Really good read.
I'm not going to review-review it because tbh the plot goes off the rails and a review would take that into account more thoughtfully than I care to. For my money the plot is the last thing that matters in a book, in a life. I am here for the characters. I am here for what they learn about where their hearts were hard. This book is full of that, of the beautiful dawning of softness and warmth on something that'd been pinched for a long long time.
I'm just gonna include the quotes I marked with tiny post-it arrows so as not to muss this lovely library copy and then I'll return this to the library where I suggest you check it out right away:
"He wasn't just noticing things, he was processing them--taking them apart, examining the pieces, and reassembling them."
I've talked about "processing" one MILLION times but never has it struck me so plainly what the mechanics of it are. I love the clarity this little description brings to what can feel like an endless, impossible labor.
"As a thought it was empowering. As a confession to a friend, it felt self-aggrandizing and pathetic, and she cowered in her armchair immediately after saying it."
There is so much mercy for these characters in this book and this I think is a good example of it. It's wild that you could need to make a confession to a friend and then immediately feel pathetic and self-aggrandizing, but that's really what keeps so many of us keeping secrets so painfully, is the fear of that reveal. I love that this character gets a chance to confess her prideful, petty selfishness.
"This would not go well, she knew that, but she had to look confident." Lol. Yes.
"'No one whispers in this town,' he said with that gentle bluntness she always respected and resented. 'They just wait until you're far enough away and talk normal.'" This book has got JOKES and I appreciate them.
"And today, on the AM dial, it's five callers ranting about using taxpayer funds to build a new central library in nearby San Antonio." Relevant to my interests and lol. (There are some people in my town who have been ranting against the library for ages.)
"Complaints aren't necessarily shameful acts of malice; they can be a kind of conversational awl that pokes right through even the toughest personality. You complain when the important stuff feels invasive or out of reach. You complain because complaining is easy. You complain about an event knowing you will attend it anyway, in part because attending the event will give you something new to complain about. You complain because you like complaining." God this is generous. I am a real hardass about complainers and I could remember the purpose it can serve and be a little kinder.
"No one had ever thought of her as mean until she was suddenly allowed to be. And then they realized it must have been who she was all along."
"The quicker everything blew up in her face, she thought, the quicker she could emerge from the rubble--that is, of course, if she made it out alive." I love this idea of someone looking forward to an inevitable confrontation she's dreading.
I'm not going to type it out but on page 125 there's just this really beautifully evocative little passage about driving somewhere you've driven a million times, and reading it you really feel the writer is familiar with this aspect of country life where sometimes there aren't any signs and you just feel your way and it's the best.
"Despite the abundance of dead people, it really was her favorite kind of novel, a meandering story about sad people who get a little less sad by the end." Same.
"At a certain point, she decided then without argument, life becomes a straight line with no branches, a road with no exit ramps. Grief would define the rest of her years, and it was time for her to get used to that." This is NOT a bummer book even though this passage might make you think it is.
"Francesca had always been the kind of person who would make cynical declarations as an attempt to project confidence and intelligence and a sophisticated sense of humor, and so, in fact, had Josie. But from the moment they decided to leave New York behind, she grew woefully tired of what she believed to be an affect unique to her hometown. Even when you're sitting across from a friend who may be leaving you for good, someone who doesn't want commentary, just a friendly ear and quiet companionship, you're playing for the cheap seats. For what felt like the first time in her adult life, she actually listened to what she said to people. And not only that, she also listened to how she said it. Had she always been a pessimist who treated every conversation like open-mic night and ate twenty-dollar salads for lunch without the slightest hint of enjoyment? All it took was one foot stepping beyond the five boroughs for her to realize how excited she was to escape them entirely."
Mostly I like the bit in here about treating "every conversation like an open-mic night," that is SUCH a sizzling burn. Yeowch. It's nice to frame growing up as a thing that can happen once you get a little perspective, and nice to imagine that that perspective could come from something as simple as a change of scenery.
"It's hard to be there for someone when that someone is the person you need to be there for you."
"A person remains malleable and unformed for so much longer than we give them credit for." This is so lovely! Malleable and unformed as strengths or capacities rather than weakness. So good.
I think I would have read this eventually because Bobby Finger is part of the Blank Checkiverse, but Melissa Dahl Devine was personally stanning for it when we were browsing Books Are Magic and I treasure the recommendation.
Really good read.
March 28, 2024
DNF at 38%. When I don’t finished a book, I think it’s inappropriate to give it a star rating.
July 16, 2023
THE OLD PLACE
Bobby Finger
Bobby Finger's debut was way more than I had anticipated. Being from Texas and raised in a small town, I have known almost all of the characters. The book centers around an older woman character, Mary Alice Roth. She is an old-time character in the small Texas town as she has taught in the school system for 40 years, so her position of authority is not in question. It has, however, cost her her job and she has been asked to retire.
Now, at loose ends, Mary Alice begins to wonder what to do with her life. The first thing she does is to reconnect with her old best friend and neighbor, Ellie. It is a strange relationship between these two women. It was very interesting to peel back the layers to discover what was at the core of their issues.
It would seem that Mary Alice is a very straight and narrow woman, however, when her sister, Katherine arrives it seems to change. Katherine has the key to the core issue and the information could be devastating to Mary Alice's perception of herself, her position in town, and her newly reconnected friendship with Ellie.
I love stories with secrets, and this one was a doozy! Actually, it was several secrets that played off each other. Well worth the read in my opinion. It bordered on being a drama, and in the end, I had some tears for the things that happen in people's lives. I thought it was thoughtfully worked out and was hard and tender at the same time.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
Bobby Finger
Bobby Finger's debut was way more than I had anticipated. Being from Texas and raised in a small town, I have known almost all of the characters. The book centers around an older woman character, Mary Alice Roth. She is an old-time character in the small Texas town as she has taught in the school system for 40 years, so her position of authority is not in question. It has, however, cost her her job and she has been asked to retire.
Now, at loose ends, Mary Alice begins to wonder what to do with her life. The first thing she does is to reconnect with her old best friend and neighbor, Ellie. It is a strange relationship between these two women. It was very interesting to peel back the layers to discover what was at the core of their issues.
It would seem that Mary Alice is a very straight and narrow woman, however, when her sister, Katherine arrives it seems to change. Katherine has the key to the core issue and the information could be devastating to Mary Alice's perception of herself, her position in town, and her newly reconnected friendship with Ellie.
I love stories with secrets, and this one was a doozy! Actually, it was several secrets that played off each other. Well worth the read in my opinion. It bordered on being a drama, and in the end, I had some tears for the things that happen in people's lives. I thought it was thoughtfully worked out and was hard and tender at the same time.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
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