Buckeye: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel

My Book Review: https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2026/01/buckeye-by-patrick-ryan-book-review.html

A lifetime of experiences.

"The whole reason you build a bridge together is so the water can run under it, right? And not wash the two of you away?" War novels aren't usually my first choice, but this approach to the topic completely drew me in. It illustrates the effects of war and of the era through the lives of the characters. The events of WWII and Vietnam, particularly, are woven in sparingly and with purpose, serving as a backdrop rather than the centerpiece. I appreciated this emphasis on people over history and its more powerful emotional impact. Patrick Ryan has given readers a generous gift by inviting us into this world. His writing is gorgeous, filled with emotion and humour that compliments his masterful storytelling. The characters felt like people I know—or have known. Each was endearing but also flawed, carrying secrets, heartaches, hopes, and fears that unfolded naturally over the course of the story. I felt a deep compassion for many of them, and was invested in where their lives would ultimately lead. The novel explores issues that were once considered taboo—things left unspoken in that time period that caused lasting wounds far beyond the physical. Yet even in the face of repression, sacrifice, heartache and loss, an underlying sense of hope remains constant from beginning to end. My heart is full for having experienced this novel.

This was one of the favorite books of our book club members as they could relate to the character's lives.