The Caretaker is another beautifully written work by Ron Rash. The novel is short, but I believe it might be my favorite Ron Rash book to date.

Set during the Korean War, the book tells the story of parents who want the best for their son - to their way of thinking - and a young man who is determined to follow his own heart. When he falls in love and marries a woman that his family and the townsfolk think isn't good enough for him, he and his wife endure the taunts until war takes him away. His parents then do the unthinkable, and cast a web that threatens to ensnare everyone, including themselves.

Meanwhile, the young man's best friend who is the town's cemetery caretaker, promises to watch over the wife while his friend is at war. What transpires kept me hoping for a good ending to the story, and kept me wondering throughout. Ron Rash is known for his compelling and often traumatic and dramatic twists in his stories, so I knew it was likely. No spoilers, though!

5 brilliant stars

This book was meant to be devoured in one go.I just couldn’t put it down till I was done reading it.
It’s a story of love and sadness and friendship and choices.Beautifully written,each chapter so rich in descriptions that you can almost feel it.
This is the story of Jacob and Naomi and their friend the caretaker of the cemetery,Blackburn.Set in the 50’s in Blowing Rock,NC
Thankyou Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC

Ron Rash is one of my favorite authors, and I was delighted to see he has this new novel coming out. THE CARETAKER is a carefully-crafted gem of a story populated by realistic, flawed characters. Rash's writing, as always, is elegant and evocative. While there's a timeless quality to the narrative, the details about the Korean War time period are wonderful as well. Rash immerses the reader into the story world in such a lovely way.

I received a free ARC ebook of The Caretaker from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

The novel has a stunner of an opening. Jacob is alone, on guard during the Korean War with the enemy just across the river. Far from home and his pregnant wife, Naomi, Jacob has never been so cold. There have been frequent nighttime attacks on the lonely soldiers on sentry duty. Just the thought of Naomi gives him strength as he is suddenly attacked and dragged onto the frozen river. Will he see home again to be with Naomi? Will his parents accept Naomi and their child or will they continue the path of disowning him?

Jacob's friend, the cemetery caretaker and an outsider in the town has been tasked by Jacob to watch over Naomi. His character is kind and gentle despite the abuse and bullying he has experienced.

I loved this book.

I really enjoyed this story from a great Appalachian storyteller, Ron Rash. His characters are authentic and real and he brings a voice to an area that is often overlooked for seeming too simple. Which it is anything but. Appalachia is rich in so many things and Rash's books bring the to life. Recommended! #thecaretaker #ronrash #netgalley #goodreads

Blackburn is not your average protagonist. His mind is fine. It's his body that isn't, so staying away from people, he's found solace in the relative peace of the cemetery that he oversees. He does have one good friend, Jacob Hampton. When Jacob is drafted, he leaves the care of his young wife to Blackburn,

I have to admit, I was slow to engage Naomi and also wondered what he was thinking. He is expected to take over the business his parents have painstakingly nurtured upon his return that he has been loathe to accept.
He is an empathetic character, not as well-developed as Blackburn. When Jacob is sent overseas, it is with some trepidation that Blackburn and Naomi form a bond--one that Naomi stupidly flaunts--further alienating the townspeople and his parents.

When it looks like Jacob might not make it back, Blackburn begins to relax a bit with his charge, a sensitive change that Naomi, pregnant with Jacob’s child welcomes.

I kept thinking Jacob’s parents would soften but instead they devise a cruel plan. What happens as a result is crushing, realistic. It leaves the reader stunned into acquiescence. And silence.

The prose is handled delicately, beautifully, and often in this literary narrative. The writing style is haunting and thought-provoking.

Another beautifully written novel by southern author Ron Rash. Set in North Carolina during the Korean War, a young man falls in love with the "wrong woman". Much to his parent's dismay, the cou;le marries and the story takes off. With their friend, the local caretaker, secrets are hidden and mistakes are made. The writing ,along with the character development are superb. I will strongly recommend this book.

Another emotionally movie beautifully written novel by Ron Rash.His stories the characters always draw me in keeping me turning the pages totally involved in their world.their lives.#netgalley #doubledaybooks.

Now that’s how you write a love story not in the feverish tone that some author’s use. I can’t thank Doubleday enough for the opportunity to read this early copy from a favorite writer. I devoured this book peopled by characters that you long to embrace. I might have envisioned a different ending but must admit that the author gave me the righteous one. One editor’s note that somewhat embarrassingly I have to make, given how much I loved this book, is from one of the first pages. The story is set in 1951 and mentions Fort Polk (Louisiana). It was then named Camp Polk and Fort Polk later. I know this because Camp Polk was my father’s first posting when he returned from the Korean War at that time.

This is a poignant story set in the beautiful state of North Carolina. It is a story about a solitary cemetery caretaker and his involvement in the lies and secrets embedded in his best friend’s family. Unbeknownst to him, he is manipulated into an immoral, vicious scheme that torments his soul, and drives him to seek the truth. Like most secrets, this one will be revealed and reverberate through generations to come.

Sir Walter Scott’s quote never rang more true; “Oh, what tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. “

Another great book by Ron Rash. He is such an excellent author. I have read all his novels and short story collections, to date. If I had one complaint, I wish they were longer. You get great characters, beautiful prose, brilliant storyline. He's a wonderful writer.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for the opportunity to read The Caretaker by Ron Rash.

Mr. Rash is a true and pure writer, giving his readers much to savor and much to think about. I hope we don't have to wait quite so long for his next, but if we do it will be worth the wait.

’Foul deeds will rise, through all the earth o’erwhelm them, to men’s eyes.’ - ’Hamlet’

It’s been ten years since Ron Rash’s last novel, but it was well worth the wait.

Set in a small town in Appalachia in the 1950s, this town and families throughout the country had watched and waited to see who would be the chosen ones. Who among those that they love will be chosen to be sent to fight in the Korean War. Who will return to their friends and families, and who will be returned and laid to rest.

On one hand, this is a story of small town life, of the expectations of family as well as others, manipulation by parents who ‘want the best’ for their sons who are old enough to be sent to war, old enough to marry. It’s a story of the haves and the have-nots, and those who look down on those who are scraping by. It’s a story of deceit, and one of love. It’s a story of the toll that war takes on those who manage to survive, as well as the toll it takes on the families waiting for their return.

At 256 pages, Rash has not only written a compelling story, but also covers some very thought provoking moments on the lengths we would go to for family, for those we love, and whether or not we are doing it for the ones we love, or for ourselves.


Pub Date: 26 Sep 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Doubleday Books, Doubleday