MG SHEPHERD

In 1972 the French family has lost a perfect son in Viet Nam, his twin, a seemingly troubled and disgraced young man is home from the same war and freshly released from prison, and a third son, the great family hope, has come of age. The story evolves as young Gibby is about to leave high school as his older brother, Jason, re-enters his life. At times, I had to remind myself this was occurring 50 years ago since the complex relationships and the dysfunctional family could be the setting for a modern day tale. Even the topic of boys going off to war and coming hime forever changed is universal. This novel is heart-wrenching and painful but also full of love. It is certainly not a light read but it is a book I am glad I read. The characters have stayed with me, like people I know.