This is the story of three
Proctor brothers outside a small New York town, from 1932 to 1990.
For the most part, their world
consists of the tiny home they were born in, each other, and their piece of
rural property. None of them is gifted with intelligence, and one of them
is intellectually and emotionally challenged to a greater extent than are the
other two. The story begins when they have reached old age. One of them dies in
bed overnight, and the other two are investigated for murder.
The story pieces itself together
through short chapters. Each chapter is narrated by a voice of someone who has known the Proctor boys in different ways over the years. As the book progresses, the narrators share different tidbits out of chronological order as memories tend to come to a person when trying to make sense of the present. In the days following Vernon's (the oldest brother's) death, the narrative voices share insight into understanding men who, for the most part, have not wanted to be known.
As someone who was raised in the
country, rural folks’ extreme desire for privacy and independence is no
surprise to me. The book challenged me to consider (not for the first time) if it might be best
to leave families alone or if
society has an obligation to help, stepping uninvited and unwanted into intentionally isolated households, imposing society’s culture. The answer may seem simple enough at first thought but can be complex and heart-wrenching when the people in question become real.
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