Abide with Me: A Novel
As soldier Roy Murphy walks up Route 7 in a dusty camouflage uniform with a heavy pack on his back, news of his return to the town of Hossick Bridge spreads like wildfire. Emma Herrick, a member of the wealthy Herrick clan, still remembers the teenage romance that consumed her and Roy before he left for base camp. Now that Roy has returned from Afghanistan, she has no idea how much he’s changed. The story of a war-ravaged soldier and his lost love set in a gossipy Vermont town, Abide with Me is fiercely authentic. In a novel spliced with combat scenes, training drills, and dormitory confessions, Willett offers a detailed picture of modern military life. (He interviewed soldiers, sailors, and marines at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in preparation for the book.) Masterfully blending small-town gossip with the inner obsessions of a quiet veteran, Willett’s densely layered prose will appeal to fans of James A. Michener and Anthony Swofford. Focusing on one man’s lost love, his return to his hometown, and the friendships he left behind, this is a compelling read. --Stephanie Turza