A thoughtful, nuanced, and heartfelt journey through grief and renewal…
A single father battles grief, questions his identity, and yearns for spiritual connection in Harmon’s poignant and introspective novel. Twenty-six-year-old Tyler Manion’s world is unraveling. Six months after his wife’s sudden death, he faces his final day at General Motors, a casualty of Detroit’s economic decline. Alone with his nearly two-year-old son Robbie, Tyler struggles to maintain a façade of control while feeling untethered, plagued by what he calls “spiritual attention deficit disorder.” An unlikely cast—a basketball prodigy, a gruff WWII veteran, a hippie nun, and a sharp graduate student—gradually helps him reclaim his identity and seek a deeper spiritual connection.
Harmon’s prose is fluid and emotionally resonant, weaving lyrical descriptions of Tyler’s daily life with moments of profound introspection. Through Tyler’s journey, Harmon captures the juxtaposition of mundane parenting challenges with the deeper ache of loss. Memories of Christie, Tyler’s late wife, linger in poignant detail, shaping his choices and binding him to the past, even as he seeks a way forward. Harmon deftly balances the deeply personal with broader themes, anchoring Tyler’s struggles in a vividly rendered 1990s Michigan—a world alive with cultural nuances, economic upheaval, and societal shifts. The supporting characters bring complexity and dynamism to the narrative. Robbie, with his innocence and unyielding energy, both grounds and challenges his father. Nicki provides a fresh perspective, her youthful vitality offering Tyler glimpses of life beyond his grief. Cuhlman’s bluntness and practicality force Tyler to confront hard truths, prompting him to reflect on his beliefs and values, while Sister Harriet’s warmth and understanding help steer him toward healing and self-discovery. Even minor characters, from Tyler’s former colleagues to the mothers at Robbie’s daycare, add to the narrative’s emotional weight.
The pacing of the story is deliberate, often reflecting the ebb and flow of the characters’ internal conflicts and external circumstances. Tense, introspective moments are skillfully balanced with lighter, humorous exchanges, keeping readers engaged while offering relief from the weightier themes. Harmon skillfully integrates societal themes into the story, linking Tyler’s personal struggles with the broader economic decline of Detroit. Tyler’s layoff from General Motors reflects Detroit’s declining industrial strength, connecting his personal struggles to the broader challenges facing the community. This parallel underscores how economic change shapes individual identity and relationships, revealing the human cost of a shifting landscape. Equally nuanced is Harmon’s exploration of masculinity, as Tyler navigates the expectations of being a provider and protector while confronting his own vulnerabilities. Faith emerges as another powerful thread, portrayed with honesty and complexity. Rather than offering easy resolutions, Harmon invites readers to wrestle alongside Tyler with questions of belief, purpose, and connection. By linking Tyler’s internal turmoil to the broader societal shifts of the 1990s, Harmon creates a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive.
A poignant meditation on life’s impermanence and the timeless solace found in love, faith, and human connection.
Pub date November 26, 2024
Palmetto Publishing
ISBN 979-8822964099
Price $34.46 (USD) Hardcover, $17.99 Paperback, $9.99 Kindle edition
