Buckeye by Patrick Ryan - The Small Town Secret That Devoured Two Families

n this episode of Between The Covers with Danielle, I dive deep into Buckeye by Patrick Ryan — a quiet, devastating work of literary fiction that examines small-town America, war, masculinity, marriage, and the long shadow of secrets passed down through generations.Set in an Ohio town that prides itself on decency and stability, Buckeye explores what happens beneath the surface: fathers who can’t speak about war, marriages built on silence, sons who inherit myths instead of truth, and the private costs of conformity. This is not a fast-paced plot-driven novel, but a slow-burn, character-driven story about identity, belonging, and the damage caused when honesty arrives too late.In this episode, I reflect on why Buckeye lingered with me long after I finished reading — unpacking its portrayal of war as a domestic force, the emotional labour placed on women, the violence of social norms, and the complicated ethics of truth, forgiveness, and endurance.If you enjoy thoughtful book reviews, literary fiction podcasts, multi-generational family sagas, and deep conversations about culture, history, and human behaviour, this episode is for you.Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.