A powerful literary tale of revenge and redemption.
Set in Canada, South Korea, and Tanzania, Martin’s latest is a family saga that unfolds over almost a century, taking readers on one man’s quest for revenge. Gerry McLean was never a model father. His childhood experiences, marked by his father’s absence and his mother’s remarriage, left emotional wounds that made it difficult for him to show love or prioritize time with his wife and son. However, when his son disappears without a trace, Gerry’s carefully constructed life crumbles around him.
The story is told in alternative voices, memories, dreams, and diary entries and switches between both the past and the present. This is an intricate tale that intertwines themes of redemption, revenge, family dynamics, and the weight of history. Gerry’s character is depicted as a man haunted by the past, burdened by the choices he’s made and the consequences they’ve wrought upon his life and relationships. His quest for redemption and revenge serves as the driving force behind the narrative, propelling him forward in search of closure and absolution. His inner turmoil is palpable, portrayed with raw emotion and introspection as he grapples with the ghosts of his past. Central to Gerry’s struggle is his fraught relationship with his son, Jamie. Their distant connection serves as a poignant reminder of Gerry’s failings as a father, his inability to fully connect with the ones he loves and the lingering regrets that accompany such neglect.
His transformation into an obsession with Jamie after his death speaks volumes about the complexities of his character and the depths of his regret: in life, Gerry’s relationship with Jamie was distant, perhaps even neglectful, reflecting his inability to prioritize his familial connections over his own inner turmoil and preoccupations; however, Jamie’s death serves as a catalyst for Gerry’s introspection and self-reckoning. Suddenly faced with the permanence of Jamie’s absence, Gerry is forced to confront the full extent of his neglect and the profound loss it has wrought upon his life. In contrast, his bond with Maud is one of tenderness and trust. Despite Maud’s forgiveness of Gerry’s shortcomings, readers may find it difficult to reconcile his absenteeism with his familial responsibilities. Jamie’s haunting backstory elicits sympathy and compassion from readers, making them ache for his tragic fate. The story is complicated, but the patient readers will be rewarded with a gripping tale of pivotal decisions, familial ties, and the haunting nature of revenge that resonates long after the final page is turned.
Hindsight is 2020
D.C. Martin
FriesenPress;
Pub date August 16, 2023
ISBN 978-1039173842
Price $25.99 (USD) Hardcover, $15.99 Paperback, $9.99 Kindle edition
