MAKING UP THE GODS

An unlikely trio must confront the literal and figurative ghosts of their pasts if they are to find a way back to happiness.

Simone LeMay lives alone in a sprawling house in the woods. Estranged from her only brother, the 60-something widow is used to being alone and prefers to spend her days baking and talking with the ghosts of her past—including her emotionally abusive mother, Carmen, and her beloved husband, William. But all of that changes when she reluctantly agrees to temporarily watch her neighbor’s nine-year-old son, Chen, who has just suffered the tragic deaths of his father and stepbrother in a community-wide tragedy. At the same time, a mysterious man named Martin shows up, claiming to be Simone’s cousin and urging her to sell her cherished house to him. The trio’s lives quickly entangle as Simone fights to avoid becoming like her mother, Chen struggles with feelings of profound isolation, and Martin faces his own moral compass. If they finally learn to open up, all three might just unwittingly help each other heal from their past trauma. The chapters shift focus among Simone, Martin, and Chen, whose chapters are written as journal entries. Agnew’s well-considered novel tackles weighty themes, such as generational trauma and death. But the real strength of this slow-burn novel comes from the protagonists. Each character feels richly drawn and utterly real. From Chen’s desperate desire to see a bear (the symbolism of which would make a delightful book club conversation) to Simone’s sometimes ill-fated attempts at being the loving and patient role model she never had to Martin’s reluctant empathy, the details of their past and present are delicately built layer upon layer. And while some readers may find the ending somewhat hokey, many more will likely appreciate the feel-good conclusion that offers a healthy dose of hope.

A complex, heart-warming tale of love, absolution, and fortitude.