In a small Ohio town over five decades, Ryan creates a unique and engaging cast of characters in Buckeye. I listened to this on on Audible on our long road trip in October. Here is my book review Buckeye by Patrick Ryan.
Small Town Life
A small farming community in Ohio is the setting for Buckeye, a story that spans two world wars and a depression. This tight knit community is home to Cal, whose one leg too short keeps him from enlisting in the war. His beautiful wife Betsy has a gift. She can communicate with people who have passed on. Cal doesn’t believe this gift is true, and as Betsy pursues helping people in the community to communicate with the dead, their relationship becomes strained.
Margaret has a past secret. She is not the woman she claims to be, hiding her abandonment and the fact she grew up in an orphanage. She marries Felix, who also carries his own secret. Felix knows he is gay, and has had a couple of sexual encounters in his youth. But it’s not until he is drafted in WWII that he meets the love of his life.
While Felix is away, and Betsy is busy with her clients, Cal and Margaret will find each other.
Post War
Margaret has been told Felix is missing in action, and she is ashamed that she is somewhat relieved. Margaret does not want children, and she has fallen in love with Cal. But an unexpected twist will change everything, causing Margaret to abandon her entire life, while Cal and Betsy try to pick up the pieces of their marriage.
Empathy
I had a lot of empathy for these characters in this book, particularly for Felix and his struggle with being a homosexual during this era. The book explores several important topics including abandonment, infidelity, grief and regret. Mostly regret.
Book Review Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
****Four stars for Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. Thank you for reading my book review Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. See last week’s Book Review The Elements by John Boyne.
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