Sully, a character portrayed in Richard Russo's novel "Nobody's Fool," exemplifies the concept of an underachiever despite his apparent cleverness. Throughout his life, he has been perceived as a man who is not easily fooled, a perception he likely values. However, at sixty years old, he finds himself in a troubled state, divorced from his wife and involved in a lackluster relationship with another man's partner. His estrangement from his son adds to his isolation.

The struggles Sully faces are compounded by his lack of self-awareness. He is physically impaired and struggles to find stable employment but misinterprets these hardships as signs of independence rather than the consequences of his choices. This disconnect between his perception and reality reveals a deeper complexity to his character, highlighting themes of failure and the human condition in Russo's narrative.