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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Dark Enough to See the Stars by Beth Duke revolves around Ronni, a compassionate nurse and accomplished author, who receives an emotional email from Gary Harris, who claims to be the son of a man she wrote about in her book. Discussing the situation with her husband Rick, they decide to prioritize their own lives against the challenging backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interspersed throughout their narrative are flashbacks of Ronni and Rick's journey, including their wedding and honeymoon. Meanwhile, in Anniston, Alabama in 1946, we are introduced to Sam, a talented photographer who captures a perfect yearbook photo of Violet. These intertwining stories gradually unfold, shedding light on the resilience and strength of the characters as they navigate love, loss, and self-discovery in the face of adversity.
I really liked the way that Dark Enough to See the Stars by Beth Duke played out in scenes that frequently read like vignettes, with pieces woven together to make one comprehensive story but with each of those same pieces having the strength to stand alone. There is a full emotional landscape that makes Duke's composite wonderfully character-driven, an appropriate maneuver given its anchoring in the pandemic. For instance, when Ronni O'Shea is grappling with a loss, she engages in deep conversations with Max and they bond over shared histories and mutual comfort in a way they never would have in another timeline. The lingering shadow of COVID-19 marks Ronnie's life through various characters as well. Ronnie's friend Deanna grapples with the absence of Max and Elise who are affected by the pandemic's travel restrictions. Meanwhile, Samuel, Max and Elise's son, is overwhelmed by the pressures of store construction delays, a stark repercussion of the economic slowdown during the pandemic. Duke writes an effective and engrossing contrast of experiences to provide portraits of life amidst a global crisis and it is a brilliant tribute to the losses and triumphs of then vs now. Very highly recommended.
