Roxanne Reviews "Hope"

Roxanne reviews Hope: A Novel by Andrew Ridker

Hope: A Novel by Andrew Ridker impressed me. Let me count the ways:

First, the novel’s plot bloomed like an onion and kept me guessing what direction lay ahead. A Bostonian family of four in the early aughts where each has unique challenges.

Second, Ridker dissects each member’s existence into a granular life choice saga that, even at 432 pages, never felt sluggish. For anyone who has ever come to a halt in life and questioned, ‘How did I get here?,’ Ridker shows us the evolution of the characters’ decisions.

Last, while sticking the landing with open ended closures, Ridker finishes with plenty of rich experiences: career choices (medical and publishing specifically) and the inherent ethical decisions within, sexual preferences, open vs monogamous marriage, and generational gaps. Hope is a book to be enjoyed by any gender and any age.