Like many wives of the era, Tricia finds herself in Saigon in 1963. Her husband has taken a job contributing to the war efforts, leading the newlyweds to spend the initial years of their marriage overseas. While the men are occupied with work, the women engage in various charitable activities, primarily involving cocktail party fundraisers, all aimed at making their own contributions. When Tricia attends one such event at Charlene's house, she is immediately impressed by the woman's polished exterior. Charlene, a corporate wife and mother of three, is motivated by her desire to alleviate the world's hardships. Their connection deepens when Charlene's youngest child unexpectedly vomits on Tricia, igniting a bond that will reshape both of their lives.
Nearly sixty years later, Rainey, Charlene's daughter, reaches out to Tricia, who now lives a quiet life as a widow in Washington. As they reconnect, they reminisce about their time in Southeast Asia and the complex woman they both share in common. While there are joyful recollections, the narrative delves deeper into their lives, shaped and limited by Charlene's pursuit of "inconsequential good." Through flashbacks and Tricia's introspective moments, we witness how these women, and many like them, lived and learned during this significant historical period.
In Absolution, Alice McDermott writes less about the history of the Vietnam War and more about the profound impact it had on the women who experienced it. The titular theme of absolution centers around Tricia, the main character, as she grapples with redeeming herself from various sins—as a wife, a mother, and as part of a nation embroiled in an unwinnable war. McDermott skillfully navigates this complex introspection with a graceful subtlety that is truly remarkable. Not driven by a specific plot, the novel serves as a character study, sometimes appearing disjointed yet intricately weaving various events into the tapestry of Tricia's life. It stands as a deeply moving exploration of how we navigate the uncertainties that life presents. I found it to be a remarkable and contemplative read, providing a serene space for reflection within the recesses of my own thoughts and expectations.
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(2023, 91)
I don't always love novels that rely so heavily on flashbacks, but this one sounds like it was very well done. And it's certainly an interesting time period to go back and think about.
ReplyDeleteThis one can be a bit slow at time, especially because it jumps around so much, but the characters are pretty remarkable.
DeleteThis is a very interesting view of the time period, and from your review, it seems the author did a great job creating the characters.
ReplyDeleteThe characters in this one are fantastic! Well worth the read
DeleteGlad you enjoyed it and found it to be a thought provoking read.
ReplyDeleteI've always been curious about the life during the war. Not just of those who fought but those who are left behind. I like the sound of this plot.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you found it thought provoking and appreciate the change in focus for this period.
ReplyDeleteThis review feels very timely given the discourse that's been circulating the socials this week--the idea that women don't like reading about history. I think that really isn't true--women just generally like reading about different history in different ways. It sounds like this book points right to that, since it's about the Vietnam War but really about the impact the war had on the people (women especially) living through it.
ReplyDeleteThis was a tumultuous time period, I guess ours is too. Glad to hear it was a story that made you think.
ReplyDeleteMore of a charcter study, yes those work really well for me at times
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