دانلود کتاب Buckeye 2025

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan traces the lives of two Midwestern families in the fictional town of Bonhomie, Ohio, from World War II into the late twentieth century. The story pivots on a spontaneous kiss on VE Day between Cal Jenkins—a man born with a slight physical impairment and married to Becky, a spiritual medium—and Margaret Salt, whose husband Felix is away in naval service. That moment sets in motion decades of secrecy, guilt, and emotional upheaval, as the two families’ lives become irreversibly intertwined. Over time the novel explores how a hidden past, choices made under duress, and unspoken longings ripple down through generations.

Patrick Ryan weaves themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and identity in a sweeping yet intimate narrative. Cal’s journey involves coming to terms with his own limitations, the expectations of manhood, and the consequences of moral ambiguity. Becky’s sensitivity to the supernatural and her earnest desire to connect across boundaries bring depth to her character. Margaret and Felix grapple with their own secrets and disillusionments. Ryan’s lush storytelling balances the weight of history—war, social change, personal trauma—with the persistence of human connection and the possibility of redemption¹.