A review by amdame1
The Bartender's Tale by Ivan Doig

4.0

I hadn't read anything by Doig before, but a friend recommended this one and I'm glad I picked it up. It's the tale of a young boy who is sent to live with relatives out of state while still a baby. His dad is single and tends bar and didn't feel he could responsibly care for such a young child. At the age of 6, however, his dad comes to claim him and brings him home. For the next 6 years he is raised at "the joint" as his dad calls it; they spend little time at home. At the age of 12, in 1960, a new girl moves to town and that year is one of enormous change, growth, and disturbing events.

Things that seem predictable take unexpected twists, the characters have quite a bit of depth and development. Well done and well written.