Quite possibly the best new book I've read this year, Gone So Long will stay with me for a long while. Written by the same author as House of Sand and Fog, this novel creates characters that live and breathe for the reader, who aren't well liked, but relatable. Andre Dubus III writes characters that are human and messy, complete with their own meatiness and depth. I couldn't put this 480 page novel down and consumed, yes, consumed it in a day! "Daniel Ahearn lives a quiet, solitary existence in a seaside New England town. Forty years ago, following a shocking act of impulsive violence on his part, his daughter, Susan, was ripped from his arms by police. Now in her forties, Susan still suffers from the trauma of a night she doesn’t remember, as she struggles to feel settled, to love a man and create something that lasts. Lois, her maternal grandmother who raised her, tries to find peace in her antique shop in a quaint Florida town but cannot escape her own anger, bitterness, and fear." -Goodreads synopsis from the publisher While this is the essence of the book, the book is so much more. Told from the eyes of the three characters, Daniel, Susan and Noni, it shows us grief and regret and so much more. The author also gets the locale of the novel correct, depicting the hard scrabble area of the Massachusetts shore, as well as little Arcadia, Florida. The towns become additional characters in their own right. Having read the author's book, House of Sand and Fog, when it was released years ago, I can say this book is even better. I highly recommend this book for someone wanting a more dense read and a model for character development. 5 Stars! Thanks to #NetGalley and the author for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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