By Heidi Simmons
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Let Me Be Frank With You
by Richard Ford
Fiction
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Americans are polite people. We are a country of citizens who mostly prefer to avoid confrontation and difficult emotional situations. But underneath lurks cynicism, hostility and regret. In Richard Ford’s novel Let Me Be Frank With You (Ecco, 256 pages), one man comes to terms with life and death.
Frank Bascombe is 68. He is retired and lives with Sally, his second wife, in Haddam, New Jersey. Hurricane Sandy has just devastated the Jersey Coast and destroyed a house he once owned. The current owner wants Frank to come see what’s left. Frank reluctantly agrees.
When he arrives, Frank sees his former neighborhood wiped-out. The beautiful home he once lived in is a block away from its foundation, on its side and roofless. A retired realtor, Frank is relieved he sold the property when he did. He struggles to be supportive with the man who lost his home. After all, he hardly knows the man. His best advice is to take what he can get and walk away.
Although the Storm of the Century did not impact his home in Haddam, it has affected his life. Sally leaves everyday to counsel storm victims. She will soon be certified as a grief counselor and he admires her for helping those in need.
Frank too volunteers. Once a week he reads to the blind and greets returning soldiers. He is in the process of streamlining his life. Many of his friends have died and he is not interested in cultivating new friendships. There is not enough time. His wife, two adult kids and ex is all he has the energy for. Frank is also working on decommissioning useless words.
One day a woman stops by his home. Decades ago she lived in the house and wants to see the inside. Displace by the hurricane, she’s now in the area. Frank thinks the woman is sincere and he doesn’t want to be rude, so he agrees. While in the house, she tells Frank her family’s story and the tragedy that took place in the home. He politely listens to the horror that impacted the woman’s entire life. He does his best to say something meaningful before he escorts her out.
As the months unfold after the storm, Frank visits Ann, his ex-wife in her luxury care facility. She is dying slowly of Parkinson’s disease. Frank resorts to his “Default Self.” It is the person others understand him to be –honest and charming. Default Frank is someone who streamlines his utterances and portrays the past and future optimistically. But even in default mode his feels awkward and uncomfortable with his ex. They lost a young child to disease. When he looks around her apartment there are no pictures of their children.
When he gets home, Sally asks Frank if he’s all right. She thinks Frank is unaware that he is suffering from grief. An old friend left a message for Frank. He’s dying of cancer and wants to see him. Ignoring the call for days, Frank hopes it’s too late. After all they were not good friends, barely acquaintances. When the dying buddy asks him to come, Frank can’t say no.
On Christmas Eve day, Frank sees the dying man. He hardly recognizes him. Again, he is uncomfortable and doesn’t have anything to say about his current condition other than it’s part of life. He can only do his best “default self.”
As Frank leaves, he recognizes Ezekiel who is delivering heating oil. Years ago, he was a friend of Frank’s son. Ezekiel greets Frank sincerely. He shares with Frank that he and his wife will be cooking Christmas for those who lost their homes in Super Storm Sandy. Then he asks Frank about his son. Only he uses the dead child’s name instead of his living son. Frank does not correct him and answers him with a polite “He’s fine.” They shake hands and part ways. Frank appreciates Ezekiel’s kindness and thoughtfulness and for the first time ever is moved to tears.
Let Me Be Frank With You is a brilliantly crafted portrait of a man who has kept his emotions controlled and suppressed. Frank Bascombe has life figured out. He has worked hard, been a good husband, father and friend. People like and respect him.
But underneath every polite comment and responsible act, there is a truth and understanding that can never be said out loud. Frank is a humorist finding witty ways to think about himself and human nature. His observations of the world are pinpoint accurate, but they only run in his head. They are things he dare not share, not even with his wife.
Frank may not see himself as a good man, but others do. Sometimes his inner voice is so complex and critical that he rather be alone with his thoughts.
Let Me Be Frank With You is a cleaver tale. Author Ford constructs Frank’s story in a first person, present tense narrative that reveals his private thoughts and secrets. Frank is a good person, so there is nothing horrible to confess. Except that Frank has not been frank. He has not been honest with himself or others; that is, until this book. Perhaps for the first time, Frank is being real. It is the act of sharing the traumatic events and emotional encounters that frees him to finally feel and grieve.
Frank Bascombe has lived a full, albeit fictional, life in three other novels by Ford. But it’s not necessary to read those to appreciate Frank’s insights and renewed appreciation for life.
