I loved this rare look we get at the Vietnam War. While not technically a war book, I loved getting a glimpse into life there the ex-pat community. I loved to two perspectives offered all while we learn more about the linking character, Charlene. I loved the quiet, slow pace of this novel as the excellent writing unfolds such an interesting story,

“Absolution” by Alice McDermott was my first experience with the author’s work, drawn initially by its setting in Saigon during the tumultuous Vietnam War—a backdrop I have not often explored.

In its early pages, McDermott’s prose evoked echoes of Ann Patchett’s “Tom Lake,” weaving a tapestry of narrative richness that initially captivated my attention. However, as the story unfolded, the initial allure began to wane. At one point I was forced to DNF it, only to pick it back up a few weeks later.

The novel follows the lives of two military wives navigating the challenges of existence in 1960s Vietnam, presented through a format of letters. While I initially struggled with the narrative and even set the book aside at one point, I ultimately returned to it, driven by a desire to see it through to its conclusion.

Yet, despite my perseverance, I found myself grappling with mixed feelings upon reaching the end. While McDermott skillfully portrays the complexities of her characters’ lives, I struggled to connect with the perspectives presented. The portrayal of the main characters, sheltered from the true hardships of war, left me feeling disconnected, particularly in light of the profound suffering endured by the Vietnamese people. Although I am not a true believer in solely reading likeable stories and characters, this one bothered me more than most.

Moreover, certain passages, such as the depiction of a leprosy colony, struck me as lacking in empathy and depth, bordering on the verge of sarcasm—a disconcerting contrast to the gravity of the subject matter.

As the narrative unfolded, I found myself longing for more depth and nuance in the portrayal of secondary characters, whose stories seemed overshadowed by the pursuits of the main protagonists. The conclusion, while not devoid of impact, felt somewhat anticlimactic, leaving me yearning for more.

I’ve had the pleasure to explore “Absolution” on audio, paired with a library copy. Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for a copy of the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

In this novel, Alice McDermott examines the lives of the American wives of commanding officers and businessmen living in Saigon during the Vietnam War. Tricia is our naive narrator who is learning the ins and outs of life in Saigon through Charlene, a beautiful, cunning, bully of a woman.

Charlene's daughter has written to Trica asking for her recollections of her time with her mother. The story is written in letter format which makes it feel like an intimate tale told from a friend.

Why We Like It: I read this story after reading The Women and while that one covers the frontlines of battle, this perspective of the American Wives in Vietnam was completely different. It was almost as if these women were on holiday in comparison. It's hard to believe it depicts the same time and place. #gifted by MacMillan Audio

I was anticipating this book but when I listened to it, the storyline just didn't grab me the way I hoped. I suspect it will be a hit with many but it just was not for me

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for access to the advance listening copy of this historical novel by celebrated author Alice McDermott.

Unfortunately, this novel was not for me. It is the time period and the way roles for women were portrayed in the 1960's. At this time of second wave feminism, there was still a strong pull for women tp be mothers and homemakers and helpmates to their ambitious husbands. Of course, that did not apply to ALL women, just the ones who were provided for by their husbands. It is an era that I am never quite comfortable in, and this book just confirmed that one more time.

Yes, the 1960's are considered historical fiction, and the world portrayed in this story feels different than today, but the 1960's never quite feels old enough to me unlike the 1940's and 1950's. All in all, I am the wrong person to review this novel.


As always, I listened on audio. Jessie Vilinsjy and Rachel Kenney were marvelous and brough these women to life.

I read the book and then listened to the ARC of the audio… I can honestly say I enjoyed the listening experience more than the reading experience. It’s a well done adaptation and I am so glad for the advanced copy.

Absolution tells the story of the American wives in Vietnam during the war. The story revolves around Tricia, a newly wed who is very unsure of herself, and Charlene, a seasoned corporate wife who is a beauty but also a bully.

Sixty years later, Charlene’s daughter reaches out to Tricia. Together the two reflect on their time in Vietnam and how it shaped their lives:

What I liked most about this book was the vivid setting. The description of life in Vietnam’s for the women on the edges of the conflict was interesting.

The beginning of the book grabbed my attention however, there were parts where the story dragged.

I listened to this book and The Women by Kristin Hannah back to back. It was really interesting to see the comparison between the experiences of the wives and of the women who served in Vietnam.

I enjoyed the narration by Jesse Vilinsky and Rachel Kennedy. The story was easy to follow and I thought they did a good job of bringing the characters to life.

An interesting and emotional story that takes us back to the journey of Charlene and Tricia while they are in Vietnam as their husbands are serving the US military during the Vietnam War. It’s interesting, messy, emotional and yet at times a bit difficult to follow. Interesting, but not my favorite from this author.

This book was written as correspondence between an old woman and her friend's daughter and is about the Vietnam era. It focuses on the lives of American women during this time. The themes include duty, obligations, sacrifice, betrayal and absolution. This is a searing portrayal of 1960s America, a no holds barred look at the feelings of these women.

I really enjoyed this! This is only my 2nd novel by Alice McDermott, & so far she yet to disappoint! I did not love this one quite as much as I loved The Ninth Hour, but it came pretty close.

Another piece of historical fiction, tho Absolution provided a more exotic setting and took us to Saigon which I really enjoyed, I love when I get to read about places that feel really foreign and beyond what is familiar to me. Our MC Tricia is the wife of a military man & she hooks up with another wife & they bebop around the area doing good works when they can. I loved the juxtaposition between Tricia’s calmness & quiet discernment & her friend Claires more boisterous energy. Between the two of them, we got to see the city in such an interesting light, their unique personalities highlighting and accentuating certain parts of the city & novel.

McDermott’s writing is top notch, it’s the sort of writing that is lyrical & refined, but also accessible & intuitive. She is succinct, but definitive. I will definitely be reading every single one of her books’!! A solid 4 stars.

I listened this in audio form as well as reading along with it & the audiobook was an excellent way of consuming this book! I highly recommend!

This was a piece of history that I just didn't know anything about. I was intrigued from the start. The setting of Saigon was well written. The story of these army wives in the 1960's pulls you in and keeps you invested. I did get lost in some of the back and forth timelines and the letter writing. The ending felt abrupt and I was wanting more.

With ABSOLUTION, Alice McDermott takes readers back to Saigon in the time of the Vietnam War. The story jumps timelines and is told from the perspectives of Tricia, who was a newlywed, and Rainey, who is the daughter of Charlene, a woman who can't resist interfering in all manner of areas, under the guise of doing good.

Decades later, Tricia and Rainey reconnect, and through long letters, they revisit their different experiences in the war and the ways that Charlene impacted their lives.

The framing of the book was well chosen, and I found myself reflecting on Charlene and whether she was more of a flawed character or more of an unsympathetic woman who tries to excuse all her choices since they are merely means to an end.

The Audiobook is narrated by Jesse Vilinsky and Rachel Kenney, who are perfect for their roles and easily draw listeners into the story.

(I received a digital ALC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

I hadn’t read an Alice McDermott book in a good while so when I received an ARC from #NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review, I was excited. This one started out a little slow, but quickly picked up and pulled me in with Alice’s descriptions of a country and a time past in Saigon. As is my nature, while reading this book, I researched some of the things mentioned. How oblivious I was to never realize that some of these events actually took place and to think the ladies thought they were doing something good. This one will stay with me for a while.

Absolution
By: Alice McDermott

Summary/Review:
As a daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, I was drawn to this book hoping for additional insight of this historical time period. This plotline was centered around two American women, Tricia who has recently joined a young group of upscale newlywed couples and Charlene, a corporate wife who is going to show Tricia the ropes of life in Saigon. Together, these two main characters create a plan to “do good in society.”

I felt the plotline was weak, mostly because I was expecting more of the historical standpoint. I struggled with the idea of being homeless, and starving children on the streets, and these ladies thoughts on how to best help them. I did find the novel was well written, and the author pulled me in at certain points. I just felt Absolution feel short of my expectations.

Thank you to Alice McDermott, MacMillan Audio, and Netgalley for the Advanced Readers Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#reluctantreaderreads
#AliceMcDermott
#netgalley #audiobooks
#Macmillanaudio #absolution
#advancedreaderreads

I loved the narration as much as I loved the ARC digital! Rachel Kenney and Jesse Vilinsky bring not just the accents of time and place, but all of the emotions of the book to life. As having already reviewed the digital copy, I am adding it below for reference.

"I am so excited to share this review today, as Absolution by Alice McDermott arrives on bookshelves. I have been fortunate to read several wonderful books so far this year, but I think this one will remain in my top 5 for 2023. From the first chapter to the last, I was enveloped by the sights and settings, the senses and emotions explored.

McDermott transported me back to 1963, and showed me what life was like for American expat women in Saigon then. Deftly portraying life as a trailing spouse, she gives a glimpse of an era of history not often seen from the female perspective, all the while begging her reader to question the true meaning of selflessness and humanitarianism at every level. I truly feel Absolution has left a note on my heart, and cannot wait for McDermott to craft her next novel."

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a wonderful book! I appreciated looking at the role of wives of men stationed in Vietnam during the war. I appreciated seeing the time period from their perspectives. McDermott's writing is lovely and exquisite.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this audiobook so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must listen for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Like many wives of the era, Tricia finds herself in Saigon in 1963. Her husband has taken a job contributing to the war efforts, leading the newlyweds to spend the initial years of their marriage overseas. While the men are occupied with work, the women engage in various charitable activities, primarily involving cocktail party fundraisers, all aimed at making their own contributions. When Tricia attends one such event at Charlene's house, she is immediately impressed by the woman's polished exterior. Charlene, a corporate wife and mother of three, is motivated by her desire to alleviate the world's hardships. Their connection deepens when Charlene's youngest child unexpectedly vomits on Tricia, igniting a bond that will reshape both of their lives.

Nearly sixty years later, Rainey, Charlene's daughter, reaches out to Tricia, who now lives a quiet life as a widow in Washington. As they reconnect, they reminisce about their time in Southeast Asia and the complex woman they both share in common. While there are joyful recollections, the narrative delves deeper into their lives, shaped and limited by Charlene's pursuit of "inconsequential good." Through flashbacks and Tricia's introspective moments, we witness how these women, and many like them, lived and learned during this significant historical period.

In Absolution, Alice McDermott writes less about the history of the Vietnam War and more about the profound impact it had on the women who experienced it. The titular theme of absolution centers around Tricia, the main character, as she grapples with redeeming herself from various sins—as a wife, a mother, and as part of a nation embroiled in an unwinnable war. McDermott skillfully navigates this complex introspection with a graceful subtlety that is truly remarkable. Not driven by a specific plot, the novel serves as a character study, sometimes appearing disjointed yet intricately weaving various events into the tapestry of Tricia's life. It stands as a deeply moving exploration of how we navigate the uncertainties that life presents. I found it to be a remarkable and contemplative read, providing a serene space for reflection within the recesses of my own thoughts and expectations.

Absolution was a very unusual novel. Told as a conversation between two main characters , it focused on the tumultuous time that the main narrator, Tricia, spent in Vietnam as a wife of a contract worker. I was alive during the Vietnam era and was aware of the young soldiers who fought and died in that country, but I never thought about the officers and support workers who would have lived in Saigon, often with their families.
The politics and intricacies of living in a very foreign country were interesting. The novel was a little heavy handed pointing out the different role of a wife as a help mate in those times. The characters were colorful and realistic, it definitely showed me a different side to war. There was no talk of battles or death, just parties, visiting hospitals and black market Barbies,
I will be recommending this book to my friends as a thought provoking read.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for accepting my request to audibly read and review Absolution.

Narrators: Jesse Vilinsky; Rachel Kenney

Stars: 2.5

I found the book to be uneventful, and I am one who loves storytelling. I don't need action. I need content.

The story ran together in bits and pieces jumping all around. The author took several Vietnamese historical sore spots and wove a tale around them. The point of historical fiction is to provide history and McDermott failed miserably. The story needed more than begging children, hot climate, and do-gooders. Why did these things occur?

There were areas of pretty writing and some paragraphs, but overall it was convoluted. I flashed back to stacks of index cards preparing for a paper. Each card had a few words, sentences and occasionally a paragraph; they held the makings of a story -- not the story. I feel like McDermott skipped a step.

The narration was okay, they performed the material they had.