Play Book Tag discussion

4.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to Gallery Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It publishes June 2, 2020

Hap, a middle-aged man and new father attends to his dying father, and opens a briefcase of disturbing papers.

His contact with Dana, an elderly woman who knows all the secrets the briefcase contains, begins a cascade of memories, and her attempt to fix what's been broken for fifty years. Meanwhile, Lupita, now living in Hawaii, receives news and her own regrets come to the surface.

The plot of this book is hard to describe without spoilers- it's a character study, a friend saga, and a dysfunctional family story. It's a study in regret, love and "what was right at the time". And so hard to put down.

Told from the POVs of the important players- six in all- this book could easily have been a mess, but it was wonderful.

Clegg displays great skill at juggling the characters- there's never a question of whose voice is being read. Each character's development is specific- the reader sees only the actions relevant to the story- and in this time in their lives all of these characters' actions are despicable.

It also deftly touches on many hot button topics: mental health, abuse, racism, sexuality and dementia. These topics are brought into the story so cleanly that they are evocative, yet don't overpower.

Clegg's writing style reminds me of Elizabeth Strout, Colm Toibin, Ann Patchett, and James Baldwin. Highly recommended.