Ask Again, Yes

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

Where do I even begin with writing this review? I am still hungover from this book and I read it a week ago. And if you don’t know what a book hangover is- come back to me after you’ve read this and you will know exactly what I mean. It took me over a week to gather my thoughts on this one and create a post that even made sense.

Ask Again, Yes begins with the story of two New York City police officers in the 1970’s – Francis and Brian, who join the same police academy class. After graduating, they were assigned as partners. Fast forward a couple years later, Francis Gleeson and his wife Lena move to a town called Gillam outside of the city and have their first child. Brian Stanhope marries an Irish woman named Anne and they end up moving right next door to Francis and Lena. Brian and Anne have a child named Peter who is inseparable with Francis and Lena’s daughter- Kate. Anne has always been a bit unstable when in contact with neighbors and a recluse at times. Anne would become erratic when she saw Peter hanging out with Kate. Then one terrible night – tragedy occurs between the two families and unfolds a story that spans four decades. If I keep going I’m going to spoil it but this page-turner is emotional, heartbreaking, vivid, and beautiful all at once.

I will note this novel includes gun violence, mental health issues, and alcoholism. I have to say this book intrigued me so much because I found myself trying to diagnose each character. Mary Beth Keane created two families that are real, raw, and complex and I fell in love with every single one of them despite their flaws and idiosyncrasies. I hope you love this book as much as I did.

I have linked it here on amazon.