It's a story set in the summer of 1997, following the lives of three men living very different lives. There's Alec, who is going back to England to take care of his mother, who is not well. He feels like he’s not good enough, like he's letting her down. Then there’s his older brother, Larry, living in San Francisco. He’s trying to hide that his acting job isn’t going well and that his marriage is falling apart. Finally, we meet László, who lives in Paris. He seems to have a good life – a nice home, people like his work, he has a boyfriend and good friends. But he can't forget a difficult time in his past, a time when he felt he didn't do enough to help. The story shows how each of these men is at a point where they need to look back at the choices they’ve made and the chances they’ve missed. It’s a time for them to find a way to feel free, even if it’s not in the way they initially thought it would be. I remember once, my own grandmother was ill, and my father felt a lot of pressure to take care of her. He felt responsible, and sometimes, it felt like he was failing her. It's a heavy feeling, that sense of needing to protect someone you love, and this story captures that weight beautifully. It’s a feeling a lot of us know, the worry and the responsibility, and it’s a story that understands that feeling.
The book is full of moments that make you think about the choices we all make and how those choices shape our lives. It’s not always easy to read, because it deals with difficult subjects like family responsibility, career disappointment, and past regrets. But it’s also full of hope and understanding. Each of these men is struggling with something, and the book shows us their struggles with honesty and compassion. László, for instance, carries a deep sadness from something that happened years ago, and he's trying to find a way to deal with it. Larry is trying to hide his unhappiness from the world, and Alec is trying to live up to his mother's expectations. The writing itself is lovely, painting a very clear picture of each place – England, San Francisco, Paris – and bringing the characters to life. It’s like the author wants you to feel like you're right there with them, experiencing their joys and sorrows. It's the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading, making you think about your own life and the people you love.
Ultimately, this is a story about connection – the connections we have with our families, our friends, and ourselves. It’s about the ways we try to save the people we love, even when we don't know how. It shows us that even when things are difficult, there is always the possibility of finding freedom and hope. It’s a reminder that we all make mistakes, and that it’s okay to ask for help. The book doesn't offer easy answers, but it does provide a space for empathy and understanding. It’s a story that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the power of human connection. It’s a book that I think anyone who has ever felt responsible for someone else, or struggled with their own regrets, will find deeply moving and thought-provoking.
It’s a story that gently unfolds during the summer of 1997, and follows three men, each navigating very different circumstances. There's Alec, returning home to care for his mother, wrestling with a sense of inadequacy and a feeling he's falling short of her expectations. Then there's his brother, Larry, living far away, desperately trying to maintain a facade of success while his career and marriage crumble around him. And finally, we meet László in Paris, seemingly content with a comfortable life, but haunted by a past experience where he feels he failed to help someone in need. I think about my own father, years ago, when my grandmother’s health declined. He carried such a heavy load, feeling obligated to provide care and feeling a deep sense of responsibility. Seeing him struggle, trying to balance that duty with his own life, it was a lesson in the complexities of family and the weight of expectation. This story really touched on that same feeling, that sense of needing to protect someone you love and the quiet worry that comes with it. It’s a feeling that’s familiar to many, and it’s handled with such care and understanding within these pages. It reminded me of those moments, the unspoken sacrifices and the constant hum of concern that underlies so many family relationships. It’s a tender exploration of those quiet, often invisible, burdens we carry for the people we love.
The story isn't a lighthearted one; it tackles some difficult subjects, like facing disappointment in our careers, the strain on family relationships, and the regrets that linger from our past. But even with those heavy themes, there’s a sense of hope woven throughout. Each of the men is dealing with their own challenges, and the book portrays their struggles with honesty and a real sense of compassion. For example, László is burdened by a sadness rooted in a past event, trying to find a way to process it. Larry is putting on a brave face for the world while his life feels like it's falling apart. And Alec is trying to live up to an ideal that might be impossible to achieve. The writing itself is beautiful, creating a vivid sense of place, whether it's the English countryside, the bustling streets of San Francisco, or the charming cafes of Paris. You really feel transported to these locations, sharing in the characters' joys and sorrows. It’s the kind of book that stays with you, prompting you to reflect on your own life and the people who matter most. I kept thinking about the choices that shaped my own life, and how I could have done things differently, or maybe not.
At its heart, this is a story about the connections that bind us – the ties to our families, the friendships that sustain us, and the relationship we have with ourselves. It’s about the lengths we go to in order to help the people we care about, even when we don't know the right way to do it. It reminds us that even in the midst of difficulty, there's always the possibility of finding a path to freedom and hope. It's a gentle reminder that we all make mistakes, and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It doesn't offer any simple solutions, but it does create a space for empathy, kindness, and a deeper understanding of the human experience. It’s a book that celebrates the ability to bounce back from hardship and the incredible power of human connection, and I believe it will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the responsibility of caring for another person or wrestled with their own personal regrets.
Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
It’s a story about three men dealing with big feelings during a summer long ago. One man feels he’s failing his mother, another tries to hide that his life isn’t what it seems, and the third carries sadness from something that happened years before. It's a gentle story, and it touches on those moments when we feel responsible for others, that worry that settles in when someone we love is struggling. It's not always easy to read because it deals with tough things like feeling let down in our jobs, problems in our families, and regrets about the past. Yet, there's still hope in the story, a sense that even when things are hard, we can find a way to feel free and hopeful. It’s a reminder that we all make mistakes and it’s okay to ask for help, and I think it will be meaningful for anyone who has ever felt that weight of caring for someone else.