Buckeye: A Novel
| Published | 2024-07-07 |
| Genre | Fiction,Family Saga |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Dial Press |
| ISBN-10 | 0593448496 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0593448496 |
📝Honest Review
The narrative is driven by sharp, observant prose that makes the ordinary feel extraordinary. The protagonist’s journey from innocence to a cynical understanding of his parents' flaws is handled with incredible sensitivity. Ryan explores themes of class, failed dreams, and the heavy weight of expectations. While the story is deeply rooted in its time period, the emotional core—the desire to be seen and loved by one’s family—is universal.
The book is structured in a way that keeps the reader grounded in the characters' psychological states, making every small victory and every major heartbreak feel intensely personal. It is a slow-burn narrative that rewards the reader with a profound sense of closure and reflection.
✅ What I Liked
1.The incredibly sharp and witty dialogue that brings the characters to life.
2.The authentic 1960s/70s setting that feels lived-in rather than researched.
3.The complex, non-stereotypical portrayal of a difficult mother-son relationship.
❌ What Could Be Better
1.The pacing can feel a bit dense in the middle sections of the book.
2.Some of the secondary characters feel slightly less developed compared to the main family.
Summary:
Set in the 1960s and 70s, "Buckeye" is a powerful and heart-wrenching novel that follows a family in the American Midwest. It tells the story of a young man navigating the complexities of his mother’s ambitions and his father’s failures. As secrets unravel and the pressures of the era mount, the family must confront the thin line between love and betrayal in a changing America.
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