Bruce Machart’s debut novel, The Wake of Forgiveness, is a stirring and dramatic tour-de-force. Jumping between several time periods spanning 1895 – 1924, we learn the story of the Skala family. We learn how grief has distorted a father’s ability to love his sons, especially the youngest, Karel, whose birth began the cycle of anger and withdrawal. We learn how Karel resiliently manages to grab affection wherever possible. And we learn how power can mangle a relationship in the span of a midnight horse race. Like All the Pretty Horses meets East of Eden, The Wake of Forgiveness tells a tale of tough westerners living harsh lives of brutal passion. It deals with damaged relationships and heart-stopping emotional turmoil through beautifully written passages of brusque eloquence.

Laura