Themes & Trigger Warnings:
Family, friendship, love, mental illness, belonging, addiction, substance misuse, gunfire, rehabilitation, parenting, tragedy, loss of a child, abandonment, forgiveness, healing.
Synopsis:
New York City, 1973 Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are two new police officers assigned to the Bronx precinct when they encounter their first armed robbery. They aren't close friends on the job but they later become neighbours. Over the years, Brian's son Peter and Francis' youngest daughter Kate become inseparable. The story crosses three generations of both families with everything leading back to one tragic night when they are torn apart.
Can Kate and Peter find their way back to each other and will their families see beyond the echoes of their past?
Thoughts:
After reading just the prologue I was amazed by the tender writing and attention to small details. I knew that I'd annotate this book and looking back now, there are so many beautiful scenes and quotes. I was instantly hooked and couldn't stop reading, but at the same time I wanted to slow down and make the experience last as long as possible. The opening chapters build the suburban neighbourhood scene and we learn a few things about Francis' past, how he migrates from Ireland settles in the US and finds his wife Lena.
I felt really drawn to the characters, especially Peter and Kate, understanding and sympathizing with both of them despite their conflicts. The multicharacter perspective made this novel extremely insightful and it was interesting to see what has happening in each character's life from another's point of view. The whole story is told this way as it moves along over thirty years, I thought this was really clever because it gives each character a chance to say their piece and allows deeper understanding to why they behaved in certain ways.
This was a very emotional read but, for me the feeling of hope was stronger. I really appreciated the main focus of Katie and Peter's relationship being on their emotional and mental connection with little details on the physical part. It was really refreshing to see this, and how some aspects of their bond were more meaningful and important to them then others.
My heart broke for Peter endless times, such a strong, inspiring character with nothing but goodness in his heart. I think the general stigma, and especially around men having trouble with expressing their emotions and dealing with trauma is still very much real and it's important that characters like Peter are brought to life. From his childhood experiences and family history it's inevitable that he will need some form of release or reach breaking point. Anna's story was also really touching and proves that given the correct diagnoses, right support and interventions people's lives can be turned around. Without giving too much away I have to mention Peter's uncle, George somewhere - what an absolute hero!
The novel explores the truth of how unresolved family trauma can be passed down to generations and how some things can never be fully understood if you aren't willing to see things from another perspective. It was wonderful to know that even as a child Peter understood his mother and knew that she loved him deeply when the adults around him couldn't see what was happening and instead projected their responsibilities. Rather then searching for someone to blame he does the difficult thing and opens himself up to love, understanding and forgiveness.
I didn't understand Brian's part towards the end and didn't think it was necessary but I suppose it gives some sort of closure. The closing scene and Francis' words were the perfect finish. This has quickly become one of my favourite books, and I know the characters will stay with me for a long time. I would highly recommend this book to everyone, a truly inspiring and impactful read.
Quotes:
'It wasn't that she didn't love him, he knew. It was that she loved him so much that it frightened her, loved him so much that she worried she might have to protect herself from it. He tried to let her know that he'd figured that out, finally, that there was no need to explain, but then he realized that she might not know it herself.'
'...and try it and try it a little longer and next thing it’s who you are.'
'We repeat what we don't repair.'
'And that all the things that had happened in their lives had not hurt them in any essential way, despite what they may have believed at times.'
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