A review by mhinnen
Absolution by Alice McDermott

adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I was interested to learn about the American wives who accompanied their husbands in Saigon at the beginning of the Vietnam War. The classism and racism is on display as they look for ways to cheer up these “unfortunate” people. 

The story is written as a letter years later to the daughter of a friend of one of the “wives.” I found this choice of delivery distracting and would have preferred just a first person account. 

It was well written and interesting but the plot never grabbed me. I didn’t feel invested in the characters.