I don’t know how to start this review. Theo is a lovely person, and the book’s message of goodness in humanity is much needed as we slog through cycles of negative news and propaganda politicians.

But little in this book feels real. It’s not that people or actions like these can’t exist, it’s just that there is such lack of believability in the writing. Any creative writing workshop begins with showing, not telling, using details that allow us to see, hear, and feel each character and action as unique, multi-dimensional, and compelling. 

But instead, we get strings of abstract and empty verbiage (“He was a pleasant, reserved man who personified discipline and routine…he was highly regarded and a well-connected presence in the community”) that make us feel nothing and could describe anyone. 

Tony, the bookshop owner and Vietnam veteran is an interesting character, but Levi’s descriptions feel like they could have been written by someone who’s seen one Vietnam movie. Same with Simone’s music scenes or Kendrick as a father. Many feel like cardboard cut out cliches, (except Ellen, the most real character in the book).

And the endless lists of appositives, usually inside double dashes: “Everything in the office—the furnishings, the artwork, the man himself—exhaled refinement and propriety.” Or later, “The life she lived–license, privilege, respectability, boredom–was financed and well fed by Theo’s achievements.” 

And there’s the lists of threes, each in a single paragraph: “Theo gave his well rehearsed explanation. 

      The Chalice walls.

      The inspiration.

      The objective.”

These exact patterns and cadences occur repeatedly throughout all 400 pages. 

I have read a lot of AI writing–in social media, student work, emails, and more–and this book checks all the boxes. There’s no way an editor would not have picked up on it. 

I know I have a very different opinion than so many readers who loved this book (I’m sorry Mary Ryan), but I just can’t say anything positive except that it had potential and more people should possess Theo’s kindness (and yes, I recognize this is an unkind–yet real–review). 

I was bored, annoyed, and cringing at cheesy writing for two days, feeling compelled to finish it.