Book Review - You Can See More From Up Here
You Can See More From Up Here, by Mark Guerin is essentially a story about the complexities of the relationship between father and son. It is also a story about the misconceptions about the love a parent has for their child, from the views of the child.
You Can See More From Up Here by Mark Guerin
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Summary: (from the reader)
Walker Maguire receives a phone call from his sister telling him that he needs to come home. Their father is unconscious and may never wake up. Walker realizes this may be his only chance to get some answers about 'that summer' 30 years ago.
Walker is a journalist, having written for top newspapers and magazines for the past 20+ decades. He sits in the hospital with his laptop open as he writes about that pivotal summer that would change the course of his life.
As the middle child, Walker recalls when his older brother moved away from home after being disowned by his father. His sister, Piper, was always 'Daddy's favorite'. Yet, he felt he could never do anything right. His father, Dr. Maguire was always so hard on Walker, even physically and, as Walker remembers, emotionally abusing him.
The summary, provided by the publisher... (provided because I find it interesting - the different takes from this story) ...
You Can See More From Up Here begins in 2004, when middle-aged Walker Maguire is called to the deathbed of his estranged father in Bedford, Illinois. While there, his thoughts return to the summer of 1974, when he’d worked at the auto factory where his dad, an unhappily retired Air Force colonel, was employed as plant physician. Witness to a bloody fight falsely blamed on a Mexican immigrant, Walker kept quiet, fearing his white coworkers and tyrannical father. His secret snowballed into lies, betrayals and eventually the disappearance of the Mexican's family, leading to a lifelong rift between father and son. After decades of contemplating but avoiding an honest conversation with his father about that summer, Walker wonders about the aftermath, new revelations, and whether or not it is too late to make things right.
During the summer of 1974, Walker witnessed his father's prejudice against the Hispanic population where they live in the Midwest. His father was the physician at the plant where Walker was working for the summer. After a fight ensues between a drunk worker and a Hispanic worker, Walker feels that his father mishandled the situation in awarding much-needed benefits.
To complicate things more, Walker has fallen for the Hispanic man's daughter, Connie. When he sees Connie at the hospital, working, he is able to forge a new relationship with her and learn some of the 'truths' about the summer of '74. Furthermore, Walker and his sister are able to come to terms about their strained relationship. Also, Piper is able to share insight into the love their father had for Walker throughout his adult life.
REVIEW:
This story captivated me from the 1st chapter. Mark Guerin did a wonderful job describing the family home and small-town so that I could envision the scenery easily. It was easy to read and each chapter made me want to continue on to the next.
The Maguire family appears to have everything. Living in the big house on the river - many people felt they were the perfect family. However, like a lot of families, there are skeletons. There are secrets. The parental dynamic in this story was relatable.
I found this story interesting the way I was able to take a peek at this family at a time when tensions were high for the patriarch. The recollections that Walker had of his father are interesting when some truths are revealed. Mark did a great job of pulling everything together in the end.
If only everyone could have a "bird's eye view" in order to watch their life unfold in real-time and provide insight in order to save years or decades of emotional pain. Great Read!
Until my next review...
Previous Reviews:
Coming Soon: The Last House Guest... a Reese Witherspoon recommendation