- by Jess Walter
No book of Jess Walter’s is like the one before. His new-for-2025 novel centers a retired journalist named Rhys who retreated from the world after he punched his son-in-law at Thanksgiving dinner in 2016. That disastrous family gathering sets this story in motion—and I hope it's obvious that if you're looking for heartwarming holiday scenes for your Thanksgiving enjoyment, this book isn't it! Years later, Rhys's grandkids show up on his doorstep in need of help; it's been so long he doesn’t even recognize them, and that floods him with shame. But when he realizes how much his grandkids need him, he resolves to protect them—not knowing how quickly he’ll be called to make good on this promise, how drastic his actions must be, or how much violence and suffering it will entail. This book is overtly political, written about and for a divided America: it’s not for everyone. But the right reader will find much to satisfy in its unique structure, well-developed characters, plot that puts the Wild West in mind, and much-appreciated humor.
