by Jill: BUCKEYE By Patrick Ryan Read by Michael Crouch
A slow-paced family drama, Buckeye interweaves the lives of two married couples in the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio, over a span of thirty years. A chance encounter between Cal Jenkins and Margaret Salt on VE Day sets the stage for this intimate and layered story.
We are introduced to Cal’s wife, Becky, who possesses a spiritual gift, and Margaret’s husband, Felix, who is serving aboard a Navy cargo ship. The consequences of a long-held secret become the thread that binds these families together. Can secrets remain buried forever?
Even though the story takes its time, I really enjoyed the journey. Patrick Ryan’s prose captures the emotional depth and realism of these nuanced characters. His descriptions are vivid—clear and deeply felt—bringing each moment to life. While the story begins slowly, the pace picks up noticeably in the final portion. I found myself liking some characters more than others, but Ryan does a superb job exploring the complexities of each one.
Michael Crouch’s narration was perfectly done for this story. He leaned into the reflective tone, allowing the prose to speak for itself—and I really liked that.
Themes of family, identity, secrets, memory, war, marriage, and small town life are woven throughout. I look forward to seeing what Patrick Ryan does next.
