Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

ASK AGAIN, YES by Mary Beth Keane is a thought-provoking novel which will be a popular choice for book groups. In a quiet, but subtly powerful way, Keane encourages her readers to explore their own attitudes towards mental health and alcoholism.  Two families, the Gleesons and the Stanhopes, are at the center of this novel.  The husbands, Francis (from Ireland and married to Lena) and Brian (married to Anne), are both New York City cops.  As young newlyweds in the 1970s, the two couples buy houses next door to each other in a small town called Gillam. The Gleesons eventually have three daughters, including Kate who is the youngest and the same age at Peter Stanhope. This is the story (told from multiple viewpoints) of the parents, their relationships and a tragedy which ensues with consequences for more than one generation: the lives of Kate and Peter become a major focus.

Spanning more than forty years, ASK AGAIN, YES is a well-written novel which is emotionally compelling (I read it in two days) and will likely produce much discussion. Keane’s work could definitely also serve as a “jumping off point” for our Junior Theme researchers who are interested in topics such as parenting and marriage, loneliness and friendship, mental health and/or substance abuse. ASK AGAIN, YES received a starred review from Kirkus (“a solidly satisfying, immersive read”), was positively reviewed on NPR, and was named an Amazon Best Book for June 2019.

When All Is Said by Anne Griffin

WHEN ALL IS SAID is a fabulous debut novel by award-winning Irish author Anne Griffin. Set in Ireland, this was the perfect read for Saint Patrick’s Day, but readers will be transported whenever they make the wise choice to spend time with the main character, 84 year-old Maurice Hannigan.  In a reflective mood, Maurice muses about “quiet men, contented in their simplicity, sitting on porches, rocking on chairs, listening to radios and crickets as evening turned to night. Hands as big as shovels, but nimble as stonemasons’.”

The story takes place over five toasts involving stout and whiskies on a summer night in 2014 as Maurice reminisces about his childhood and his time with brother Tony, his children Molly and Kevin, sister-in-law Noreen, and recently deceased wife, Sadie. Maurice primarily relates a story for his son Kevin, saying at one point, “Mad isn’t it? There you were, my living son right in front of me, waiting to be noticed, but my head lingered with a ghost. My heart, missing a small beat of its rhythm. Not so unlike my mother after all.” Throughout the many flashbacks, there are multiple references to the Dollards, the local landed gentry and their own fraught family history. 

The tone is a bit melancholy throughout with too many untimely deaths and a believable mix of regrets, guilt, grieving, and love: “Loneliness, that fecker again, wreaking his havoc on us mortals. It’s worse than any disease, gnawing away at our bones as we sleep, plaguing our minds when awake.”  WHEN ALL IS SAID received a starred review from Library Journal. I highly recommend it.

Three Things about Elsie by Joanna Cannon

THREE THINGS ABOUT ELSIE by Joanna Cannon is truly a puzzling look inside the mind of an aging resident of Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly.  Flo and her good friend Elsie seem almost inseparable and Flo relies on Elsie to be that friend, to help maintain calm in times of stress and … what is that third thing? Yes, Flo is often forgetful, but she is convinced that a new resident is actually a sinister figure from the past. Readers will be uncertain as to how reliable a narrator Flo really is – just look at the beautiful cover where an older woman almost blends into the background. The story in THREE THINGS ABOUT ELSIE is disturbing at times due to a strong atmosphere of suspense, threat and danger where a surprising, manipulative character appears and where items (elephant statue, binoculars, etc.) move or go missing. It may not seem so unusual, but here’s the weird coincidence …  I went to the public library to borrow a print copy and while the catalog said it should be on shelf, no one could find it.  Kirkus gave THREE THINGS ABOUT ELSIE a starred review (“rich portrait of old age and friendship”) and it was longlisted for the British Women's Prize for Fiction. Cannon writes extremely well about people of all ages; her previous work is The Trouble with Goats and Sheep.