In the landscape of contemporary historical fiction, Patrick Ryan’s “Buckeye” emerges as a deeply compelling exploration of how secrets shape generations. Set in the fictional town of Bonhomie, Ohio, this novel weaves together the lives of two families whose fates become inextricably intertwined by a moment of passion in the aftermath of V-E Day. What follows is a decades-spanning narrative that captures both the intimate struggles of ordinary people and the seismic social changes that defined mid-20th century America.
Ryan, whose previous works include “The Dream Life of Astronauts” and “Send Me,” demonstrates a remarkable evolution in his storytelling with this novel. Where his earlier collections showcased his talent for capturing precise moments of human experience, “Buckeye” reveals his ability to sustain emotional complexity across an expansive narrative canvas.
Character Portraits in Light and Shadow
The novel’s strength lies in its meticulously crafted characters, each rendered with psychological depth that avoids simple categorization. Cal Jenkins, wounded not by war but by his inability to serve, carries his perceived inadequacy like a physical burden throughout the narrative. His affair with Margaret Salt emerges not from mere desire but from a complex web of longing, shame, and the desperate need for validation.
Margaret herself represents one of Ryan’s finest achievements in characterization. Neither victim nor villain, she embodies the contradictions of a woman trapped between societal expectations and personal desires. Her decision to leave her son Tom at age eight—abandoning him just as her own mother abandoned her—creates a devastating cycle that reverberates through generations.
Cal Jenkins – A man defined by his perceived failures, whose longing for belonging drives the narrative’s central conflict
Margaret Salt – A complex woman whose abandonment issues create ripple effects across decades
Becky Jenkins – A spiritual medium whose gift for contacting the dead contrasts sharply with her inability to heal the living
Tom Salt – The son caught between two fathers, whose journey toward truth forms the novel’s emotional core
The supporting characters are equally well-developed, from Felix Salt’s quiet dignity to Skip Jenkins’ tragic idealism. Ryan avoids the common pitfall of making his characters mere vehicles for historical events, instead allowing the larger world to illuminate their personal struggles.
The Architecture of Secrets
Ryan structures his novel around the architecture of concealment and revelation. The central secret—Tom’s true parentage—operates like a fault line beneath the narrative, creating tremors that affect every relationship and decision. This technique elevates the novel beyond simple family drama into something more profound: an examination of how truth, even when buried, inevitably surfaces.
The author’s handling of time is particularly masterful. Rather than proceeding chronologically, Ryan moves fluidly between past and present, allowing readers to understand how historical moments continue to shape contemporary lives. The revelation of Skip Jenkins’ death in Vietnam doesn’t come as a shock but as an inevitable tragedy that readers feel building throughout the narrative.
Historical Authenticity and Social Commentary
“Buckeye” by Patrick Ryan succeeds brilliantly as a historical novel, capturing the texture of small-town American life from the 1940s through the 1970s. Ryan’s research is evident but never intrusive—details like rationed gasoline during wartime or the specific mechanics of the Vietnam draft lottery feel organic to the story rather than inserted for historical color.
The novel’s treatment of the Vietnam War deserves particular praise. Rather than focusing on combat, Ryan examines the war’s impact on families and communities. Skip’s decision to enlist, driven by a combination of patriotic duty and personal confusion, feels tragically authentic. The author’s portrayal of anti-war protests and the generational divide they created adds layers of social complexity without becoming heavy-handed.
Literary Craftsmanship and Style
Ryan’s prose demonstrates remarkable range, shifting effortlessly between lyrical passages and sharp dialogue. His ability to capture the cadences of mid-century American speech feels authentic without becoming pastiche. The novel’s emotional moments—particularly the scenes between Tom and his adoptive father Felix—achieve genuine poignancy without sentimentality.
The author’s use of recurring motifs, particularly the buckeye tree and themes of rootedness versus departure, provides subtle structural coherence. The novel’s title itself operates on multiple levels, referring both to Ohio’s nickname and the idea of having a good eye for truth—something several characters notably lack.
Areas for Critical Consideration
While “Buckeye” by Patrick Ryan succeeds admirably in most respects, certain elements merit critical examination. The novel’s length occasionally works against it, with some subplot developments feeling less essential to the central narrative thrust. Margaret’s extended absence from the story, while thematically appropriate, creates a structural imbalance that the novel doesn’t entirely overcome.
Additionally, while Ryan’s portrayal of Becky’s psychic abilities generally avoids sensationalism, some readers may find this element sits uneasily alongside the novel’s otherwise naturalistic approach. The author handles this potentially problematic element with restraint, but it remains a narrative choice that doesn’t entirely convince.
Thematic Resonance and Contemporary Relevance
Beyond its historical setting, “Buckeye” by Patrick Ryan speaks powerfully to contemporary concerns about family, truth, and belonging. The novel’s exploration of how secrets corrupt relationships feels particularly relevant in our current moment of reckoning with hidden histories. Tom’s journey toward understanding his true parentage mirrors larger cultural movements toward transparency and accountability.
The book’s treatment of masculine identity—from Cal’s shame about his disability to Skip’s tragic embrace of military service—offers nuanced commentary on how social expectations shape individual choices. Ryan avoids simple condemnation, instead presenting these pressures as complex forces that damage both those who conform and those who resist.
Similar Reads and Literary Context
Readers who appreciate “Buckeye” by Patrick Ryan will likely enjoy other multi-generational family sagas that blend personal and historical drama:
“The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” by Michael Chabon – Another novel that examines mid-century American masculinity through the lens of family secrets
“Empire Falls” by Richard Russo – A Pulitzer Prize winner that similarly explores small-town American life and family dysfunction
“A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain” by Robert Olen Butler – Stories that examine how historical events shape personal relationships
“The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien – The definitive fictional treatment of the Vietnam War’s impact on individuals and families
Final Assessment
“Buckeye” by Patrick Ryan represents a significant achievement in contemporary historical fiction. Ryan has crafted a novel that honors both the complexity of family relationships and the broader sweep of American social change. While not without minor flaws, the book succeeds in creating a compelling narrative that lingers in memory long after the final page.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers or simple redemption. Characters make mistakes, live with consequences, and struggle toward understanding without the comfort of complete resolution. This emotional honesty, combined with Ryan’s skilled prose and deep historical knowledge, creates a reading experience that is both intellectually satisfying and emotionally resonant.
For readers seeking historical fiction that prioritizes character development over plot mechanics, “Buckeye” offers rich rewards. It stands as a worthy addition to the canon of American literature examining how past and present interweave in the fabric of family life, confirming Ryan’s position as a significant voice in contemporary fiction.