Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

 

I was intrigued by the premise of Buckeye, although I hadn’t heard of Patrick Ryan before, so I decided to give it a try. Overall, I enjoyed the read, though I found the pacing a little uneven in places and felt it could have benefited from some judicious pruning.

 

The story centres around two couples—Cal and Becky, and Margaret and Felix—whose lives intersect during World War II and again during America’s involvement in Vietnam. On the surface, their only connection is the friendship between their sons, but a buried secret threatens to unravel both marriages. Cal, unable to serve due to a physical deformity, remains home while Felix joins the Navy aboard a cargo ship. Years later, their sons follow in their fathers’ footsteps, serving in Vietnam, echoing the generational weight of war and consequence.

 

Buckeye is a quietly ambitious novel that explores how personal choices reverberate across generations. Though its pacing may test some readers’ patience, the emotional depth and historical scope make it a rewarding read for those who appreciate character-driven storytelling with a touch of the uncanny.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7850280625