A heartening read—engrossing, moving, and meaningful.
In DeConna’s debut, men from three generations unite at their family homestead in New Jersey and find redemption. Franklin Bowman has kept some secrets close to his heart. But with his deteriorating health, he knows it’s about time that he shares those secrets with his family. He summons his son George, who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his wife of many decades, and his grandson Jack, who is trying to find a life purpose after losing his job and life savings. As they work to restore the homestead for a future sale, they also seek to restore themselves. A compelling plot, fueled by a mounting sense of tension in the face of old secrets and sprinkled with a light dose of magical realism keep readers engrossed. All three of the Bowmans have a challenging road, and they rise to it with resilience and grace. DeConna deftly develops his characters, and he does it through subtle but significant details, like Franklin’s hurt, with his gradually deteriorating physical condition, George’s inability to move forward, and Jack’s frustration at lost chances. Fathers’ and sons’ relationship unfolds slowly in chapters that alternate between the protagonists’ individual stories, and timelines alternating among the present and past add tension and depth. Aging and memories remain the story’s main themes, along with the complex, fraught bonds of family across the generations, love, loss, grief, hope, second chances, guilt, and redemption. Finally, DeConna writes about male vulnerability and strength, and how it’s never too late to start over and find the person within you. A winner.
Season of Restorations
Thomas DeConna
Black Rose Writing
Pub date February 2, 2022
ISBN 978-1684338733
Price $26.95 (USD) Hardcover, $21.95 Paperback, $0.00 Kindle edition
