Ask Again, Yes: A Novel
Named one of the Best Books of the Year by People, Vogue, Parade, NPR, and Elle
“A gem of a book.” —Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
A triumphant New York Times bestseller and Tonight Show Summer Reads Pick about love, forgiveness, and family—perfect for book clubs and fans of Little Fires Everywhere and The Paper Palace.
How much can a family forgive?
Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope, rookie NYPD cops, are neighbors in the suburbs. What happens behind closed doors in both houses—the loneliness of Francis’s wife, Lena, and the instability of Brian’s wife, Anne, sets the stage for the explosive events to come.
In Mary Beth Keane's extraordinary novel, a lifelong friendship and love blossoms between Kate Gleeson and Peter Stanhope, born six months apart. One shocking night their loyalties are divided, and their bond will be tested again and again over the next thirty years. Heartbreaking and redemptive, Ask Again, Yes is a gorgeous and generous portrait of the daily intimacies of marriage and the power of forgiveness.
“A gem of a book.” —Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
A triumphant New York Times bestseller and Tonight Show Summer Reads Pick about love, forgiveness, and family—perfect for book clubs and fans of Little Fires Everywhere and The Paper Palace.
How much can a family forgive?
Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope, rookie NYPD cops, are neighbors in the suburbs. What happens behind closed doors in both houses—the loneliness of Francis’s wife, Lena, and the instability of Brian’s wife, Anne, sets the stage for the explosive events to come.
In Mary Beth Keane's extraordinary novel, a lifelong friendship and love blossoms between Kate Gleeson and Peter Stanhope, born six months apart. One shocking night their loyalties are divided, and their bond will be tested again and again over the next thirty years. Heartbreaking and redemptive, Ask Again, Yes is a gorgeous and generous portrait of the daily intimacies of marriage and the power of forgiveness.
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Community Reviews
This book was one that I just couldn’t put down. Consequences of every event trickle onto family members and friends. This story deals with friendships, forgiveness, mental health, alcoholism, tragedy, rehab and love.
The ending left me with a big question mark.
The ending left me with a big question mark.
I liked the story, but the writing was strange and weird to me. Took me forever to get through the book. I also didn't have a connection with any of the characters.
This book has been on my tbr for pretty some time now and I finally decided to read it.
Ask Again, yes! Is a slow paced family drama which revolves around two neighbours the Gleesons family and the Stanhope family, the strong bond of friend between their children and how the tragedy of one night changed their lives forever. The book touches upon many things like friends, love, mental health issue, the willingness to forgive and how family history can effect one’s currently life.
Initially, I was only going to give this book a 3 star rating, but ended up giving it one extra only because I was able to finish it and did not bail out. Though well written, its slow pace made it very boring at times. The characters were likeable but I thought the author should have done more justice to the character of Brian Stanhope.
The book is divided into 4 parts, the first part was quite interesting, while the remaining three just felt flat for me. However, the author was able the create some sort of mysterious build up in the 3rd and 4th part, which urges the reader to hang on in the hope that, there would be some sort of twist or big reveal, only to be disappointed at the end. There are so many questions that went unanswered, which according to me, should have been played around with, to add some sort of twist to the story like "where was Brian Stanhope that night it all happened and why did he not stop her?"
Is it only me who want the know where Brian was? Or do others also feel the same?
Would I recommend this book? Yes only if you are looking for a slow burn, without any major twist or turns
Overall, nice story with a happy ending!
I was provided an advance copy of this novel from the publisher, Scribner, through Netgalley.
4.5 stars.
The first half of Ask Again, Yes was a solid five star read for me, while the second half seemed to lose a little of its steam. But just a little. I never wanted not to keep reading, though. Keane does a remarkable job establishing the setting and characters for this novel. It's the perfect book club book, plenty to digest, discuss, and debate. Plenty of family drama, with plenty of unexpected results, and with an ending that satisfies. I will be eager to read her next book!
#popsugarreadingchallenge2019 (prompt #40b)
4.5 stars.
The first half of Ask Again, Yes was a solid five star read for me, while the second half seemed to lose a little of its steam. But just a little. I never wanted not to keep reading, though. Keane does a remarkable job establishing the setting and characters for this novel. It's the perfect book club book, plenty to digest, discuss, and debate. Plenty of family drama, with plenty of unexpected results, and with an ending that satisfies. I will be eager to read her next book!
#popsugarreadingchallenge2019 (prompt #40b)
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