Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane is an insightful exploration of guilt, trauma, and forgiveness. Although some issues in the book should be further dissected, the author generally does a fantastic job depicting the vicious cycle of generational trauma. Spanning across two generations of the Gleeson and Stanhope families, the story provides an honest portrayal of how traumatic experiences can permeate through the crevices of different generations, and how each person’s self-concept is partly (if not entirely) shaped by the experiences of those before them.

Personally, I prefer the first half of the book as the pacing and character development are more consistent compared to the second half. My main quibble with the second half of this novel is that the author squeezes in quite a few major plot points and does not allow enough time for the stories to fully unfold. Hence, the storyline becomes quite rushed and the resolutions become a tad superficial and underwhelming. I think it is such a shame as she does bring up a lot of great thoughts regarding marital issues and alcoholism. All in all, this novel is a beautifully crafted family saga about the nuances of generational trauma and the courage it takes to forgive someone.