Synopsis: This is a novella that accomplishes a lot, considering it is only 135 pages. Opening with a memoir of the his childhood, the author establishes a small town in Illinois, where a farmer is murdered. Then, he transitions to the murderer's son's childhood (the author's childhood playmate), and imagines the events that led up to the murder, and the repercussions it had for both of the boys' lives, and their friendship. This book explores the emotions evoked by memories...and vice versa. It's a beautiful exploration of human relationships, and figuring out what we know (and don't know) about other people.
My Thoughts: This is a difficult book to describe in just a few sentences. It's also difficult to write about because I loved it so much and I think it's always harder to write praise than criticism. Also, I haven't written anything in a while so I'm very rusty. This and one other book that I am not quite done reading inspired me to start this blog, because I have so many opinions on them alone. As I was reading So Long, See You Tomorrow, I thought it was trying to take on too much; that the investigation of a murder in a small town, and the tale of how two small town boys come of age, would be too much for a small novella to accomplish. Not so. William Maxwell chooses words so well. Almost every sentence is expertly crafted -- no superfluous words showing off his vocabulary (a pet peeve of mine). Every moment...every detail in the book is carefully planned, every emotion he describes evokes that emotion in the reader. It is an escape to a time period and a way of life that doesn't exist anymore, but that is still relevant and relatable. It is a murder mystery, but the mystery is never, "Who killed Lloyd Wilson?" or even, "Why?". The mystery is one of memory and emotions. The author tries to remember, and largely imagines the details of the days leading up to the murder. The book is partly true and partly fictional -- but it is totally honest.
One Criticism: There has to be one...and there might even be more, and if I think of anything I'll edit this. But I would have liked to see the boys' relationship from the friend's (Cletus's) point of view. We only get an understanding of the author's take on their interactions. It would have been interesting (although perhaps a bit to risky for Maxwell) to learn what Cletus thought of their friendship.
