Ask Again, Yes: A Novel Paperback – May 5, 2020

Story Of two dysfunctional families who appear to be functioning. Their lives are interwoven, and it is a good story.

This review will have spoilers so I warn you now rather than later...I really liked the first 2/3 of this book. It was action packed and interesting to read. I liked that two people (Peter's Mom and Kate's Dad) are from Ireland originally. I also like that Peter and Kate, although fictional characters, are close to my age.I also want to warn people that this book is told from MULTIPLE points of view so please be careful about that.I have some faults with the ending... You mean to tell me Peter's father NEVER apologizes or sees him once before his death? Also... Do they (Peter and Kate) really never visit with Peter's mother, Anne, again?I guess all of this is left to the reader's interpretation of things. Typically, I know in life a person tends to be closer to one set of grandparents than the other, but I feel sad for Anne (Peter's Mom), even though there are reasons why they are not as close (that I will NOT give away).Overall, if you like intergenerational stories set in modern times, I would definitely read this book. Just know going into it some of the things I previously mentioned and hopefully you will enjoy it like I have.

Not far into ASK AGAIN, YES, by Mary Beth Keane, I felt that tug of war a great book always gives me—wanting to race ahead to the story’s end but wanting to slow down, to savor and reread those perfect phrases and flash-bulb images that make you think yes, that’s exactly how that feels. You’ll find examples on every page because anyone who’s read Mary Beth Keane’s earlier novels (The Walking People, Fever) knows she knows her way around a sentence and a paragraph. (For a wonderful example of one that is both, check out Anne’s confessional aria in the middle of page 206.)Keane has taken a familiar story (the family drama), set it in the most prosaic of places (a suburban town), and peopled it with extraordinary, ordinary characters. They’re ravaged by the impact of mental illness, stymied by cultural limitations that keep them from seeking the help they so obviously need, and tested by infidelity and alcoholism. But they decide to love each other and forgive each other when it’s difficult to do so. These extraordinary, ordinary people easily could have chosen enmity and resentment—and felt every righteous justification under the sun for doing so. Or they simply could have turned their backs, walked away. (One person does, arguably inflicting far more damage than the human wrecking ball at the center of the story.) But these flawed, confused, sometimes selfish/mostly generous-hearted people struggle through their anger, arrive at acceptance, and choose not to let the threads of family, and friendship, and love unravel. These people are so real that when you close the cover of the book (a brilliant design, by the way), it will be like a screen door swinging shut behind you— at the end of a long evening—on people you’ve come to know very well.Highly Recommended. Don't miss Ask Again, Yes.

The book seems to be well-written and I am enjoying the story. But I purchased the paperback and the print is horrible. The text is extremely small and the entire book has very faint ink. It seems Scribner Publishing tried to save money on the print and it is totally destroying the enjoyment of the book. Very disappointed with the printer. Not sure I will even finish the book. Maybe I’ll try the library for a hardback. Book 4-5 star. Printing 0 star

A family drama covering about forty years, Mary Beth Keane’s novel Ask Again, Yes tells the tale of the Stanhope and Gleeson families whose paths first cross when patriarchs, Brian and Francis work together as rookies in the New York City police academy. Shortly thereafter, as newly-weds, they become neighbours and raise their families side-by-side. But, aside from the Stanhope’s son, Peter and the youngest Gleeson daughter, Kate, who become firm friends at an early age, the families are little more than neighbours. Then, when Peter is fourteen and Kate six months younger, something happens that drives the Stanhopes and Gleesons apart.The book follows the lives (separate and intertwined) of Peter, Kate, Francis, Anne and, to a lesser degree those of Brian and Kate’s mother, Lena. It’s a story about consequence, forgiveness, legacy and how difficult it is to escape one’s beginnings.There are two love stories at the centre of the novel; those of Peter and Kate, and Francis and Lena. Keane explores how life and circumstances change people and how the balance of relationships can shift as we grow older and deal with the vagaries and actualities of our existence, and our failings as individuals. She examines how, if the reasons for being together can survive these challenges and there’s a strong desire to adjust together, relationships don’t necessarily only survive, but can even flourish.Ask Again, Yes is not a sentimental novel. It is told with empathy that is both tender and pragmatic, and the characters are portrayed with sensitivity and depth. I recommend it to those who enjoy books like John Boyne’s Invisible Furies, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and Delia Owens’, Where the Crawdads Sing.

With a title like this, one might expect clichéd romance - I promise you, it’s not. It will hit you at the most unexpected moments with visceral reality, only to follow it up with the sincere hope that makes us all willing to walk the tightrope of life. Love, love, love this book…but maybe only because I was ready for it.

Un poco complicado seguir la trama los primeros capitulos, todos los personajes se describen a mucho detalle y sus historias se cruzan en diferentes lineas del tiempo, pero cuando tomas el hilo descubres que no quieres soltar la historia lo termine en un solo dia, lo recomiendo.

It's written beautifully, very enjoyable read.It was the first time reading something from this author and it was such a pleasant discovery.

I had to wait until I was "ready" to read it because some of the issues were very close to my own family. As I worked through the different coping mechanisms drawn upon by the major characters, I started to feel that the book had redemptive qualities. I still wonder about the level of acceptance.

This book has all the ingredients for me -it’s compellingthought-provokingwritten with depth andwas able to capture my imagination and emotions.The Gleesons and the Stanhopes are neighbouring families whose differences separate them. Only their children Kate and Peter forge a lasting and deep friendship which through a misunderstanding and a shocking act of violence is torn apart one evening when they are in their teens.They eventually find their way back to each other but their bonds are tested all through their lives as their parents struggle with the past andAs a mother myself I'm always interested in family sagas, especially where difficult themes such as abuse, addiction and mental illness are important themes. Keane tells a story that spans over several decades and the reason I did love it so much is that forgiveness does take a long time and that there is no formula about how to heal from hurt. This was the point of the book to me. Actions have consequences, bad habits are passed down through generations and affect everyone involved or close to the person, and mental illness is real and forgiveness is key... if there's a will to take responsibility that is. I think the latter condition is the clinch pin because awareness of a person's capacity to hurt and negatively impact others which is followed by regret and shame can ultimately lead to reconciliation.I'm sure this book will stay with me for quite a while!Highly recommended!

Acquistato per scuola, mia figlia non riesce a staccarsi...letto d'un fiato in pochi giorni, nonostante sia in inglese.Deduco sia scritto bene e la storia avvincente per i ragazzi