Ask Again, Yes

Mary Beth Keane

2019 • 13 pages

Ratings3

Average rating3.5

How much can a family forgive?

A profoundly moving novel about two neighboring families in a suburban town, the bond between their children, a tragedy that reverberates over four decades, the daily intimacies of marriage, and the power of forgiveness.

Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope, two rookie cops in the NYPD, live next door to each other outside the city. What happens behind closed doors in both houses—the loneliness of Francis’s wife, Lena, and the instability of Brian’s wife, Anne—sets the stage for the explosive events to come.

Ask Again, Yes is a deeply affecting exploration of the lifelong friendship and love that blossoms between Francis and Lena’s daughter, Kate, and Brian and Anne’s son, Peter. Luminous, heartbreaking, and redemptive, Ask Again, Yes reveals the way childhood memories change when viewed from the distance of adulthood—villains lose their menace and those who appeared innocent seem less so. Kate and Peter’s love story, while tested by echoes from the past, is marked by tenderness, generosity, and grace.

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Popular Reviews

Reviews with the most likes.

Jane Doe

Definitely moving but left me sad. Some of it was unbelievable but I admit I've never been in any of the situations depicted. Overall I liked it

August 30, 2022

Gemma

Two innocent children growing up alongside one another then divided by family conflict and trauma.

Peter and Kate's life couldn't be more different, the only things they have in common are the place where they live and their fathers' job. As the pair get older a tragedy occurs and the two soul mates find themselves separated. In the coming years they seek comfort in one another and are reunited but can the past stay in the past and can forgiveness and peace be made?

This was an interesting read delving into the themes of mental health, alcoholism, neglect, forgiveness, family and love. It was well written with credible characters. I loved the way Keane developed each of the characters and by the end made you question who were in fact the victims. I also loved how the title was revealed towards the end, this was a real ‘ahh' moment for me.

This would be a great book club book as it would spark lots of discussion, especially about the role each character had to play in the novel and the themes presented.

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