I can honestly say I've never read anything like this novel. Yes, it's a love story but maybe not the one you're expecting.
Nigel & Caleb Greene are brothers sharing a house in Tallahassee, Florida. As the story begins, Nigel is a reporter for the local paper. he's been writing profiles of gubernatorial candidates in the run up to the election but his life is about to change.
His article about front runner Barney Aman left out a few things. Nigel received some potentially damaging information about the politician's life but instead of using it, he gave it to Barney. Next thing he knows, Barney has committed suicide. At his funeral, Nigel comes to the aid of Barney's lover & briefly meets an attractive young woman. Then he quits his job.
Now neither of the Greene boys leaves the house. Thirteen years ago, their parents died in an accident. Caleb promptly went into a coma, waking two years later with psychogenic amnesia & agoraphobia. Since then, it's been Nigel's job to leave the house each day, then return to tell Caleb all about "their" day.
A month or so into Nigel's unemployment, Caleb is tired of having him around. He wants his house & their life back. Thank God for technology. Before Nigel knows it, Caleb gets him a position teaching journalism at a local college. All he wants is to stay home but he knows Caleb needs a life outside the house & the only way he can have it is through him.
So Nigel starts his new career & one day on campus, sees the woman from the funeral.For the first time in years, he actually wants to engage in life & introduces himself to Dr. Karen Davis.
Nigel remembers the past all too clearly & he fears what will happen if Caleb ever regains his memory. Ironically, Caleb comes across as the lore outgoing of the two, although he runs to his bedroom each time the door is opened. Even his dreams take place within these walls. Nigel's role is to bring the outside in to Caleb but for the first time, starts to keep things from him as he begins seeing Karen. This will have a traumatic effect on the brothers' relationship as Caleb senses Nigel pulling away to have a life that doesn't include him.
Over the years, they have carefully constructed their version of "normal" but as the story progresses the dynamics begin to shift. Nigel's world expands as his relationship with Karen deepens, giving him a seductive glimpse of what his life could be. But Caleb's world is diminishing & long buried secrets & emotions start to surface.
That's all I'll say about the plot. This book unfolds in such unexpected ways that I don't want to risk spoiling the experience for the next reader. The author alternates chapters told from each brother's point of view so we are privy to their private thoughts & emotions.
Ultimately, this is a novel about love, guilt & forgiveness. How far would you go for a family member, how much would you give up? It is at times funny, poignant & unsettling as we follow these two damaged brothers struggling to survive. ( )