GOOD YEAR

Williams’ novel charts a year in the life of a middle-aged woman experiencing major changes in her family, career, and wellbeing.

It’s the first day of the new year and Shannon’s 43rd birthday. She has a beautiful home, a glowing Christmas tree, two sons, and a supportive husband named John who has successfully transitioned from a 20-year military career to civilian life. Yet, Shannon feels unfulfilled, adrift after leaving her job to care for her children and disconnected from her partner. The primary source of meaning in her life comes from volunteering with a mobile food truck ministry, where she works alongside her friend Lisa. (The narrative dives deeper into Lisa’s life with her partner Russ as the two struggle to move through the process of fostering a child as a sibling for their daughter.) Soon, Lisa is also helping Shannon secure a new job in the HR department at Georgia State University, which leads to even greater tension between Shannon and her husband. (“We were distant before, but ever since you started this job, it’s like I don’t even exist”). By March, Shannon has moved out of the house, leaving John and their two boys behind to try life on her own in a new apartment. This is but the start of more challenges to come for Shannon and the rest of her family. Williams writes in a lightly roving, close-third-person point of view, mostly sticking with Shannon. The author gives peeks into the thoughts and feelings of John, Lisa, Russ, and several other major characters, though these perspectives sometimes feel underdeveloped compared to the fully rounded Shannon, whose view of her challenging year gains depth through regular therapy sessions in which she unpacks the trauma of her own father leaving her family when she was 4 years old. While the novel might have been stronger with a singular, first-person focus, Williams offers compelling insights into Shannon’s journey.

A worthwhile and probing exploration of a contemporary American life.