Patrick Ryan joins Tom’s Book Club to discuss Buckeye, his acclaimed debut novel about love, war, grief, family and the secrets that can shape generations.
Set in the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio, Buckeye begins in May 1945, as the Second World War comes to an end. A chance encounter between Margaret Salt and hardware-store owner Cal Jenkins sets in motion a story that unfolds across generations, bringing together two couples - Cal and Becky, and Margaret and Felix - whose lives become intertwined in unexpected and sometimes devastating ways.
In this conversation, Patrick Ryan talks about the inspiration behind Buckeye and the role his own family history played in the novel. We discuss the different ways people experience and process war, the lasting effects of trauma, and the complicated relationship between grief and forgiveness.
Patrick also talks about his writing process, getting advice from Ann Patchett and why editing is far more fun than writing.
","author_name":"Thomas Watters"}