Before You Know Kindness (Vintage Books) by bestselling author Chris Bohjalian is a gripping, captivating in-depth novel with layers of intriguing drama, insights and family dynamics.
The Prologue captures the essence of the story: What happens when a bullet from a hunting rifle shatters Spencer McCullough’s shoulder. EMT’s do what they can, and he’s bundled off to the hospital. What lies ahead, how this tragic accident affects the whole family, follows.
The story then goes back in time to Nan Seton’s New Hampshire summer home and her two guests, granddaughters Charlotte, twelve, and her cousin, Willow, ten. Soon the girls’ families arrive and they all fall into organized activities, working in the vegetable garden and taking in various activities offered by the country club. The family jokingly calls the annual visit “boot camp,” as Nan keeps everyone on a tight, event-filled schedule.
Spencer, Charlotte’s father and Nan’s son-in-law, is a well-known animal activist. Although tolerated by the family, Spencer is generally considered overbearing in his defense of animal rights. He’s not only an outspoken vegetarian, he’s a vegan, which introduces even more challenges when feeding a crowd of people over a period of days, or even when selecting a restaurant that all would enjoy. Spencer is well-known in his field and is the spokesman for a high-intensity animal rights group.
Through a series of unfortunate events, Spencer is accidentally shot by his daughter Charlotte. The subsequent shock, horror, guilt, anger, and raw, relentless pain follow and deeply affect every member of the family. Spencer’s life is profoundly altered. He’s in constant pain, his right arm is not only useless, it gets in the way. Formerly right-handed, taking care of his personal needs is overwhelmingly difficult and in some instances, impossible.
The girls, Charlotte and Willow, share a secret directly related to the accident, a secret that festers and finally comes to a boil.
Chris Bohjalian writes from the skin of men, women and children with complexity, skill and gentle humor. The story deals with social issues that loom in our society. With keen observations, Bohjalian delves into intimate family dynamics until you feel a part of the family. Before You Know Kindness is a multi-leveled novel that kept me spellbound from the beginning to the end. It’s a masterpiece.