This is one of those books that becomes insinuated into your DNA as you read it. You find yourself thinking about the characters even when you’ve put the book down. You find yourself worrying about what has been or what will be with them even at the oddest moments.
It is the story of 4 roommates and best friends at Yale who have stayed extremely close throughout the years after. And while the author gives backstory to each of them, there is greatest focus on the most mysterious of them, Jude. Even the others, JB, Malcolm and Willem do not know what Jude’s story is. They know he does not have parents, and they know he does not wear short sleeves, and they know he does not want to speak about himself – but they respect his privacy and he loves them for not pushing him about this. As the characters grow together, the reader cannot help but cry with them, laugh with them and really love each of them as if they are real.
As you can tell, I did love this book. It should, however, come with a disclaimer – it is extremely disturbing in many parts. Jude’s history is extraordinarily dark, and what he’s endured is horrific – and while details have been spared, the imaginings are quite vivid. What you see, tragically, is the devastation that child abuse has on self esteem and self worth – and Jude’s whole life exemplifies this.
This is a very sad (and very long!) book, but, at least in my opinion, one worth reading. The characters are beautiful and engaging, and when it ended I felt I almost had to say goodbye to new friends.
kindread spirits 