Jenna Bush Hager has expressed her admiration for the novel ‘Buckeye’ written by Patrick Ryan, classifying it as an exceptional piece of literature that comes around once every decade. Jenna’s remarkable connection with the book is such that she felt compelled to experience it again, despite its considerable length of 500 pages.
The book unfolds in the sleepy town of Bonhomie, located in Ohio; it takes the reader on a journey spanning several generations. The storyline stretches from the early days of World War II until the closure of the Vietnam War, providing an encompassing view of a shifting American landscape.
The narrative brings together two families, with their destinies colliding in an unexpected manner right from the first page. The way America transitioned over the decades is reflected in the adaptations and transformations of these families, according to Jenna’s interpretation.
As Jenna turned the pages, she found herself captivated by the depth of the characters and their real-world traits. So much so, that she took the time to highlight various sections of the novel that epitomized these qualities, pulling her deeper into their world.
Among the residents of Bonhomie, the novel paints an intimate portrait of Margaret Salt and Cal Jenkins. Their lives momentarily intersect during the euphoria surrounding the Allied victory in Europe. Jenna found herself genuinely moved by the subsequent events in their lives, driving her to tears.
It wasn’t just the emotional intensity of the story that pulled at Jenna’s heartstrings. The characters were so vividly portrayed that the prospect of having to part with them at the end of the book was equally sorrowful. She couldn’t suppress her tears at their approaching departure, and her affection for the characters was evident in her strong recommendation of the book.
The author reveals that the sparks that gave birth to the book originated from his own familial roots. Reflecting on his father’s and grandmother’s hometown, he started to explore the seed of an idea that revolved around an episode from his grandmother’s past — her affair with a married neighbor.
Rather than using this revelation as a basis for a biographical account, the author decided to venture down a different path. He distanced himself from the direct retelling of his family’s story, but used the initial premise — an affair — as a launchpad for his narrative exploration.
Hence, the character of Margaret Salt was conceptualized, a woman who shared a fleeting affair with a neighbor. Subsequently, the author found himself questioning the circumstances around the man involved. Who was he really? What were the aspects of his personal life that Margaret wasn’t privy to?
Gradually, the scope of the questions began to expand beyond the life of the protagonists. Questions about their origins and destined life paths started taking shape. What was their trajectory, and how would the author chart their journey?
The author initially intended to confine the story within a timeframe of a month. But as the plot started to unravel and the characters became more complex, the narrative grew spontaneously. Themes of consequences, betrayal, and deception were now featuring prominently.
To capture this intricate narrative, the author dedicated a substantial six years to complete the manuscript, and an additional two years was spent refining it through countless edits. It was a labor of intense devotion spanning nearly a decade, demanding a relentless self-belief and passion throughout the journey.
Authoring the book was a personal mission which he had been practicing since his early twenties. Along the way, he encountered several projects that did not meet expectations and had some novels shelved, which he refers to as ‘learning curves’.
Despite these hurdles, he found the strength to persist by simply reminding himself of his love for writing. He had to learn to detach himself from the anticipation of accolades and recognition, putting his ardor for writing at the forefront instead.
While working on ‘Buckeye’, a handwritten note constantly visible on his desk served as a critical reminder — ‘No one asked you to write’. This note embodied the essence of his journey, keeping him motivated through challenging times.
The moment he received the news of the book’s success, he was overwhelmed with joy and happiness. Despite the hard work and tremendous effort it took, he gladly shed tears of joy, marking the end of a truly remarkable journey.
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