A review by moraina
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Ask Again, Yes is a great story depicting transgenerational trauma and showing how children are affected by parents' actions, mental health, and their own trauma and abuse. I found most of the characters likable or at least understandable and thought the author did a good job showing these different perspectives.

Anne's mental illness, while it impacted all of the other characters, made her a well-developed character in that the reader ends up empathizing and wishing she had gotten treatment sooner/that mental health was viewed differently during the original time frame of the story. I also enjoyed Kate and Peter's interactions and their development of their own choices and who they want to be as people, even though I don't always agree with their choices. Francis, as well, shows development and finally forgiveness which is satisfying to read.
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