Remember Ben Clayton
Jun 30, 2011
Author: Stephen Harrigan
Pub. Date: May 2011
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Format: Hardcover , 368pp
ISBN-13: 9780307265814
ISBN: 0307265811
This is one of those wonderful sweeping epic type stories that you can really sink your teeth into. Two families, two countries.
The story starts on the battlefield in France as two young American soldiers go above and beyond to help save their fellow troops. One soldier, Ben, carries a heavy weight on his shoulders and his friend feels that he may not really care whether he lives or not. Ben has discovered a dark, hidden family secret involving his father that he is unable to shake off.
Move forward a year or so and we are now in Texas, where's Ben's father hires a brilliant sculpture, Gil Gilheaney, to memorialize his son, who did indeed die during his act of bravery.
Gil and his daughter travel to Texas to meet Ben's father, Lamar, hear the story of why the sculpture should be and in turn learn more about Ben. As the families start to intertwine more than they might expect, secrets start rising to the surface and emotions grow heated. Gil and his daughter eventually find their way to France, to Ben's grave, where they meet up with his best friend and all the secrets come pouring out.
A big hearty book that you can really sink your teeth into and characters that make you feel...and think.
