Overview
“Buckeye” is Patrick Ryan’s sweeping literary novel that has been selected as the September 2025 “Read with Jenna” Book Club pick. Described as “a small-town novel of epic proportions” by Tom Perrotta, this captivating generational saga weaves together the intimate lives of two midwestern families across decades of American history, from World War II to the late twentieth century. Set in the fictional town of Bonhomie, Ohio, the novel explores how a stolen moment of passion, sparked in the exuberant aftermath of the Allied victory in Europe, creates ripple effects that span generations.
Key Takeaways
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Literary Fiction / Generational Saga |
| Publication Date | September 2025 |
| Publisher | Random House (Bantam Doubleday Dell) |
| Special Recognition | Read with Jenna Book Club Pick (September 2025) |
| Setting | Bonhomie, Ohio |
| Time Span | World War II era to late 20th century |
| Central Focus | Two interconnected families and their shared secret |
| Narrative Style | Multi-generational family epic |
| Critical Reception | Overall “Rave” rating based on 7 reviews |
Book Structure
The War Years (1940s): The story begins during WWII, establishing the two central couples in Bonhomie, Ohio
The Moment of Passion: A stolen moment sparked in the aftermath of Allied victory in Europe binds Cal Jenkins and Margaret
The Characters: Cal Jenkins, wounded not in war but by personal struggles, and the interconnected families
The Secret: A secret grows in Bonhomie—but nothing stays buried forever in a small town
Post-War Reconstruction: As the country reconstructs in the postwar boom, the consequences unfold
Generational Impact: The consequences of that long-ago encounter ripple through the next generation of both families
Resolution: The multi-decade saga concludes in the late 20th century
About the Author
Patrick Ryan is an accomplished literary fiction author whose previous works include “The Dream Life of Astronauts” and “Send Me.” His writing has been praised for its intimate character development and ability to capture the essence of American small-town life across different eras. Ryan has a particular talent for exploring how single moments can reshape entire family legacies, making him an ideal author for this type of generational narrative.
Why This Book Resonates
“Buckeye” arrives at a time when readers are increasingly drawn to multi-generational family sagas that explore how the past shapes the present. The novel’s examination of small-town American life from WWII through the late 20th century captures a period of tremendous social transformation. The book focuses on two married couples and stretches from pre-WWII to the close of the 20th century, capturing both the sweep of history and the mundane particularity of everyday life.
The story resonates because it explores universal themes of family secrets, the weight of the past, and how individual choices create generational consequences. Set against the backdrop of major American historical events, the novel speaks to contemporary readers interested in understanding how we got to where we are as a society.
Ideal Audience
- Literary fiction enthusiasts who appreciate character-driven narratives
- Readers of family sagas like those by Ann Patchett or Elizabeth Strout
- Historical fiction fans interested in 20th-century American history
- Small-town story lovers who enjoy intimate community narratives
- Book club members seeking discussion-rich material
- Jenna Bush Hager fans following her reading recommendations
- Midwest literature enthusiasts drawn to Ohio settings
- Multi-generational narrative readers who enjoy stories spanning decades
Memorable Quote
“I love this book with my entire heart.”—Ann Napolitano, New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful
Central Themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Family Secrets | How hidden truths shape family dynamics across generations |
| Small-Town Life | The intimacy and constraints of close-knit communities |
| Historical Context | Personal stories set against major American historical events |
| Consequences of Choice | How single decisions ripple through time and families |
| Post-War America | The transformation of American society after WWII |
| Marriage and Infidelity | Two couples confront the consequences of infidelity |
| Spiritual Elements | Supernatural gifts and connections to the deceased |
| Generational Trauma | How pain and secrets pass from parents to children |
Enhanced Analysis
Central Conflict: In Bonhomie, Ohio, a stolen moment of passion, sparked in the exuberant aftermath of the Allied victory in Europe, binds Cal Jenkins, a man wounded not in war but by his inability [to overcome personal struggles]
Character Dynamics: The novel features two primary couples whose lives become intertwined through passion and circumstance. Cal’s wife, Becky, has a spiritual gift: She is a seer who can conjure the dead, helping families connect with those they’ve lost. Margaret’s husband, Felix, is serving on a Navy cargo ship, out of harm’s way—until a telegram suggests that the unthinkable might have happened.
Historical Backdrop: Against the backdrop of some of the most transformative decades in modern America, the story unfolds, giving readers both intimate character drama and sweeping historical context.
Narrative Scope: A captivating generational saga following two Ohio families across sixty years of American history, filled with family secrets and profound human connections.
Critical Reception
Overall Reception: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan has an overall rating of Rave based on 7 book reviews
NPR Review: The novel “captures both the sweep of history and the mundane particularity of everyday life”
Tom Perrotta Endorsement: “A small-town novel of epic proportions”
Ann Napolitano Praise: “I love this book with my entire heart”
Jenna Bush Hager Selection: Jenna Bush Hager reveals her September 2025 book title, which is “Buckeye” by Patrick Ryan
Special Features
Barnes & Noble Exclusive: This Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition includes a conversation between Patrick Ryan and Ann Patchett, a map, and a book club discussion guide
Audio Format: Available as an audiobook with professional narration for enhanced accessibility
FAQ
Q: Is this part of a series? A: No, “Buckeye” is a standalone novel, though it spans multiple generations within the same families.
Q: How historically accurate is the setting? A: While Bonhomie, Ohio is fictional, the historical events and cultural details accurately reflect the periods covered.
Q: Is this appropriate for book clubs? A: Yes, the novel’s complex themes, historical context, and character relationships make it ideal for discussion groups.
Q: How does this compare to other generational sagas? A: “Buckeye” shares DNA with novels like “The Dutch House” by Ann Patchett or “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout, but with its own distinct voice and Midwest setting.
Q: What makes this a “Read with Jenna” pick? A: The book’s accessibility, emotional depth, and discussion-worthy themes align perfectly with book club selections that can engage diverse readers.
Final Thoughts
“Buckeye” represents the kind of literary fiction that has made generational sagas increasingly popular: it combines intimate character development with sweeping historical scope. Patrick Ryan has crafted a novel that honors both the specific details of small-town Ohio life and the universal experiences of family, love, and consequence.
Patrick Ryan delivers a moving literary novel set in Bonhomie, Ohio, tracing the consequences of one forbidden encounter across multiple generations, creating a story that feels both deeply personal and broadly representative of American experience.
The novel’s strength lies in its ability to make readers care about characters across different time periods while maintaining narrative momentum throughout decades of change. The selection as a “Read with Jenna” pick speaks to its accessibility and emotional resonance—qualities that make it both literary and commercially appealing.
For readers who appreciate novels that explore how the past shapes the present, “Buckeye” offers a satisfying blend of historical detail, complex character relationships, and the kind of family secrets that drive compelling fiction. Ryan has created a work that honors both the intimate scale of individual lives and the epic scope of American history.
The book stands as a testament to the enduring power of family stories and the ways in which single moments can reshape entire legacies. It’s the kind of novel that lingers with readers long after the final page, prompting reflection on the secrets and choices that shape our own family histories.
