Review - The Caretaker by Ron Rash
I received a review copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Ron Rash’s latest work of fiction, The Caretaker, is a character-driven tale of love and loss. The story follows Jacob, his wife Naomi, and his best friend Blackburn (the titular caretaker). Jacob has been conscripted into the army during the Korean War, leaving behind a pregnant Naomi, who is shunned by his parents. Jacob asks his best friend Blackburn to take care of her while he’s gone.
Blackburn does his best for Naomi, to protect her from Jacob’s parents, and to shield her from the judgmental community. But after an accident, she returns to her father’s house in another state. Soon Jacob’s parents see an opportunity to be rid of her—and get their son back. Blackburn proves key in the aftermath, driven both by his desire to create a happy life for himself and by his loyalty to his friends.
This book has beautiful description, complex characters, and an intriguing plot. I was swept up in the world of 1951 Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Rash immerses the reader in the beauty of a cemetery, the pain of loving and losing, and the redemptive power of love.
I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it! The Caretaker is available now.
