Buckeye

by Patrick Ryan
Buckeye cover
Good Books rating 4.25
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Waterstones
Hardback • £16.99
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  • ID: 491
  • Added: 2025-09-13
  • Updated: 2025-09-13
  • Formats: 30
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
npr.org · Unknown · 2025-09-18
heartfelt 4.00

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan is a poignant and beautifully written novel that explores the complexities of family, memory, and identity. The story's emotional depth and vivid storytelling make it a compelling read, though some may find the pacing uneven.

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan is a heartfelt exploration of family dynamics and personal history. The novel's strength lies in its emotional resonance and the way it delves into the intricacies of human relationships. The protagonist's journey is both moving and thought-provoking, making it a memorable read. However, the pacing can feel uneven at times, which might detract from the overall experience for some readers. The author's writing style is evocative and rich, bringing the characters and their struggles to life in a way that feels deeply authentic. It's a book that stays with you long after the last page.

Quick quotes

    The novel's emotional depth is its greatest strength.

    The pacing can feel uneven at times.

    The author's writing style is evocative and rich.

kirkusreviews.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
excellent 4.00

Buckeye is a gripping and suspenseful novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story's tension and well-crafted characters make it a standout in the thriller genre.

Buckeye is a thrilling read that masterfully blends suspense and intrigue. The protagonist's journey is both compelling and unpredictable, making it hard to put down. The author's ability to build tension and create complex characters is evident throughout the novel. While the plot may be somewhat predictable at times, the execution is flawless, keeping readers engaged until the very end. The setting and atmosphere are vividly described, adding to the overall immersive experience. This book is a must-read for fans of thrillers who enjoy a fast-paced narrative with well-developed characters.

Quick quotes

    The story is a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue.

    The protagonist's journey is both compelling and unpredictable.

    The author's ability to build tension is evident throughout the novel.

netgalley.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-09-09
captivating 4.50

Patrick Ryan's novel 'Buckeye' captures the sweep of history and the mundane particularity of everyday life through the stories of two married couples in a fictional Ohio town. The reviewer was so engrossed in the book that they continued reading despite it being bound backwards.

Patrick Ryan's 'Buckeye' is an epic novel set in a fictional Ohio town called Bonhomie, spanning from pre-World War II to the end of the 20th century. The story follows two married couples, including Margaret Salt and her closeted gay husband Felix. The reviewer found the book so compelling that they continued reading even when they received a copy bound backwards. The novel's ability to immerse the reader in its world is a testament to Ryan's skill as a writer. The reviewer praises the novel's exploration of history and everyday life, making it a captivating read.

Quick quotes

    Once in a while, mistakes happen. I mention this mistake because it testifies to something powerful about Patrick Ryan's new novel, Buckeye.

    So, as a kind of brain exercise, I began reading Buckeye backwards, my head moving from right to left. By page 9, I was already so caught up in the world Ryan creates, Buckeye could have been misprinted upside down and sideways and I still wouldn't have been able to put it down.

    As its title indicates, Buckeye is set in Ohio, in a fictional small town called Bonhomie.

guardianbookshop.com · Unknown · 2025-09-02
excellent 4.50

Buckeye is a captivating story that weaves the lives of two midwestern families across generations, exploring themes of love, identity, and forgiveness. The novel is praised for its emotional depth and beautifully written characters, making it a memorable read.

Buckeye is a sweeping yet intimate novel that follows two families in the small town of Bonhomie, Ohio, from World War II to the late twentieth century. The story begins with a stolen moment of passion that binds two families together, revealing secrets that ripple through generations. The characters are richly developed, each grappling with their own struggles and insecurities. The novel touches on themes of homosexuality, infidelity, identity, abandonment, grief, and ultimately, forgiveness. Readers have praised the book for its emotional poignant narrative and the warmth that comes from a profound understanding of the human spirit. The characters are memorable and the story is one that will stay with readers long after they finish the book.

Quick quotes

    A sweeping story that starts in the 1920’s through to the 1970’s, in a town in the mid-west of Bonhomie, Ohio. A story of 2 couples whose lives become entangled.

    This is an emotionally poignant and beautifully written novel that follows two families through four decades living in the fictional small town of Bonhomie, Ohio.

    The things that we love, tell us what we are.

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