A review by canada_matt
An Unfinished Season by Ward Just

adventurous informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Stumbling upon this novel by Ward Just, I thought I would give it a try. Reading the dust jacket blurb and doing a little background research of my own, I discovered a little more about the author and the types of books he like to pen. The book was a little of everything, which suited me well, allowing me a vacation from the drama-heavy pieces that have crossed boy reading desk of late. Just provides the reader with some special and political commentary of the 1950s, as well as some views into how a young man processed the ever changing world around him in post-war Chicago. I am interested to see about trying to another novel by the author soon, though I am not sure which one I will choose as of yet.

Wilson Ravan has been acclimating to post-war America by watching his father’s life take a significant turn. Living in the small community of Quarterday, just outside Chicago, Wilson watches as Teddy Ravan tries to come to terms with significant change. A strike at the his printing plant and new political views seeping in from all sides, both of which put a strain on the elder Ravan each day. While Teddy tries his best to run the family with his great knowledge of the world, it does not seem to be enough any longer. All the while, Wilson watches and tries to find his own foothold on society’s ever-changing views.

While Teddy deals with unions and their violent reaction to all things capitalist, Wilson’s summer before college leaves him on his own path, taking a job with a newspaper, which opens his eyes significantly. Wilson learns more about the world around him, as well as the struggles in his own community. Attending community events and countless soirées, Wilson soon sees the divide between himself and his parents, who are also becoming frigid towards one another. Amidst all the drama, Wilson finds himself falling in love with a young woman, Aurora, who has family issues that are just as rocky, though these can usually be shelved when it comes to spending quality summer nights with her new beau.

As time inches forward, Wilson sees his life transforming before his eyes, while America takes on new responsibilities. Seeking to synthesise everything, Wilson realises that he has been living in is bubble and that while he appreciates his upbringing in Quarterday, it was much too limiting when compared to the world around him. Teddy tried his best, but his son is just too strong headed, meaning changes will have to take place before too long, if everyone wants to live in harmony. A powerful story by Ward Just that kept me asking questions throughout.

To call the book wholesome or ‘granola’ may be a little too much, but it was definitely more grounded than many books I have read over the last while. Ward Just paints a wonderful picture of the struggles of postwar America and the shadow of the oncoming Cold War. His narrative style is quite clean and provides the reader with some strong themes to consider. The flowing writing introduces characters with ease, each contrasting well with others, which provides wonderful depth to the story. A few key plot twists allow the reader to feel a degree of surprise as they navigate through the book, though the story is less about shock and more the coming of age of a young Wilson Ravan. All this is accomplished effectively and kept me on my toes trying to see what was waiting around the corner. As I said above, I am eager to see if there are other Ward Just books that would interest me in the future.

Kudos, Mr. Just, for pulling things all together with such ease.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: