Mini Review: When Things Go Missing by Deborah J. Brasket
Sitting cross-legged on the bed as Franny sorts through old journals and piles of stuff, I was there with her. As she discards pieces of her life no longer relevant to who she has become or where she wants to be, I was ushered into the world of the story which followed. The story of When Things Go Missing by Deborah Brasket.
This initial relatability of Franny’s character enabled me to ease into the unique family dynamics of living with an addicted adult child. Slice of life stories recounted by each member of the family – Franny (mother), Walter (father), Cal (son) and Kay (daughter) – interconnect yet move forward independent of each family member. Except Cal. The addict. Making little to no movement forward in his life, always dependent on others even during periods of recovery.
Thus, the family itself is in a constant state of uncertain flux, with personal growth and goals being held back by varying degrees over the years. The conundrum of living with and loving an addict.
As the first ‘thing’ to go missing, Franny upsets the tenuous dysfunctional family status quo. She spontaneously packs a light bag, her camera and snacks, then begins driving down the coastal highway with no destination in mind. How each family member copes and changes during her disappearance is the gist of the story. How Deborah crafts the story is what kept this reader, reading.
With the development of each character, I see the world through their eyes and think their thoughts. Getting into their heads coupled with action imagery in the narrative, they each speak their own story as it unfolds in the novel. A good example of this is in the scene where Kay’s new boyfriend unexpectedly arrives early at her apartment.
“You can’t be here already. I wasn’t expecting you this soon.” Her hands fly to her ponytail, pulling her hair free. She looks down at the dirty sweats she’s wearing and then at the mess in her apartment. Kay doesn’t do neat… “Tell me you’re kidding. You’re not really here. Not yet. Please.” She peels off her sweats and squirms into a pair of jeans. He laughs. “It’s true, I’m really here.” “Then wait… I’ll be out in a few minutes,” she tells him, kicking her dirty sweats into the closet.
This same immersive style of writing intensifies the overwhelming realities of Cal’s lifestyle as an addict. Deborah’s descriptions of the “matrix that holds everything together” – the people that make life on the streets as an addict possible – are visceral yet understandable to one not engulfed by those realities.
Glimpses of Cal as seen through his mother, sister, father, and assorted street people are woven into a complicated tapestry, expertly balancing his ‘endearing qualities’ with how those same qualities act as enabling his continuous vicious circle of addiction.
With scant softening around the edges, Deborah speaks – writes – with grit and grace.
Luckily for this reader, the story does not end there. There is much to relish from start to finish throughout the book. Nor does the novel come to an abrupt ending – hastily tying loose ends together for the sake of completion. It is not a fairy tale ending, but a workable ending. Addiction never truly goes away. People and relationships are always evolving. But the desire to stay connected with those we love is an ever-present driving force.
As in real life, we are all works in progress.
After sailing around the world with her husband and children, teaching literature to college students, and fighting for affordable housing as the leader of a nonprofit, Deborah J Brasket finally settled down among the golden hills and vineyards of California’s central coast to write the kinds of novels she loves to read.
When Things Go Missing available at Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes & Noble.
As promised, one lucky commenter will receive a free copy of When Things Go Missing. Comment below to be entered into a drawing. Randomly selected winner to be announced sometime next week.
“When Things Go Missing is a masterful exploration of loss, loyalty, and knotty, dysfunctional families, told through the viewpoints of Kay, Cal, and Walter. It reveals the subtle and dramatic ways addiction affects the bonds that hold a family together.”
This really strikes a chord (several actually) with me as I, and my surviving sisters, struggle with the recent losses of our Mom and a sister. That sister was an alcoholic with the most beautiful smile that you have ever seen. She was also very destructive to herself and everyone around her. Mom sacrificed above and beyond for this sister and suffered much. All of us have paid dearly, financially and emotionally, because of one sister’s addiction. That addiction led to criminal behavior and a horrible, untimely death. It has been a very long and stressful road. There is not always a happy ending. Having said that, I can gratefully say that the remaining sisters (four of us) have been pulled together as opposed to being torn apart. And that is a happy ending.
Laura, this snippet of your life gave me goosebumps…Thank you for your honesty and experiential affirmation of the addiction dynamic within a family. hugs.
One of the most painful aspects of addiction is the effects on children. You may remember the portrait quilt that I made of my niece a few years ago. She had committed suicide at age 14. She was the daughter of my recently passed sister. In her short life, she was already headed down the same path.
Unfortunately, what my family has experienced is so commonly repeated in various forms in other families. Even within my own family as I had a brother-in-law with a drug addiction, which also led to criminal activity and eventually a drug overdose. Addiction is real, and addiction is dangerous! Addiction involves the entire family. Addiction is painful in so many ways. I wish I had the solution but it is far beyond me.
Thank you for such a succinct summary of your family’s various involvements in close relationships with loved ones & addiction. You’re correct, addiction plays out within families more commonly than one would suspect – mine included.
I do remember that portrait quilt…such a beautiful child. The love you felt for her came shining through – obvious even to one such as myself who didn’t know the intense ‘back story’. ❤️
The book sounds great, and nothing more true than your closing line about us all being works in progress.
Spot on, Andy!
Thanks, Andy! Isn’t it the truth, and a lovely one, that we’re all works in progress.
Great review!
Thanks for stopping by JT. It’s a great book!
Well done on the review, Laura.
Thank you, teacher! 😍
😀
I love this review, Laura! Your last few lines really make me want to read Deborah’s novel. I appreciate “workable endings.” Such endings show that the writer respects the reader, in my humble opinion.
You’re right, a workable ending is very satisfying due in part to what you say – it respects the reader! I never thought of it like that. Thanks for that insight, Marie.
I really appreciate your insight here, Marie. And Laura’s. They say, write the novel you want to read, and I definitely want “workable endings,” although I had never thought of it like that.
Considering the subject, this must have been hard to write. That the author wrote the story “with grit and grace” is, in itself, an achievement. Thanks for your brilliant review, Laura; I’ve added the book to my Goodreads TBR.
Fantastic!
Thank you, Khaya. I hope you enjoy it as much as Laura did. And thank you again, Laura, for writing this lovely review.
A fine review, Laura
Thank you, Mariss – it’s a great book!
Thank you, Laura!
Lovely mini review! It’s such a deserving book!
Thanks, Luanne. I look forward to reading your review!
Thanks so much Luanne! That means a lot.
I enjoyed reading your awesome and thoughtful book review 🙂
I read the editorial review of the book on Amazon too and it sounds beautiful! “Five-Star Review from Indies Today — “If this novel were compared to an art form, it would be Kintsugi, the Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, embracing imperfections as part of the piece’s beauty.”
I am fascinated by the concept of Kintsugi so that made me smile!
I can definitely see the Tierney – Kintsugi connection! 😉 Thanks for taking the time to read about Deborah’s new book.
Thank you, Tierney! I love the art of kintsugi too.
Laura, I’m intrigued by the excerpts from When Things Go Missing. I can appreciate the depth and honesty of the storytelling from your description.
It’s Deborah’s style of writing that engages the reader to walk through those depths with her characters – an enriching & thought provoking experience. Thanks for stopping by, Carol!
Carol, I’m so happy to hear that. I hope you will get a chance to read my book and let me know what you think.
Thank you, Laura, for this wonderful review, including the excerpt of poor flustered Kay, who doesn’t do neat. I loved writing about his couple.
You’re most welcome, Deborah. It’s been a fun ride on your Book Blog Tour Bus. Hang on tight!
Well, you’ve certainly piqued my curiosity with your review! Congrats to Ms. Brasket, as well. Just reading your post, I can sense a wealth of emotions in the story.
Who knows, it just might be your Winter Read – between quilting marathons in your cool sewing studio! 😉
Thank you so much, Wendy! There was certainly a wealth of emotions when I was writing the book too. Hope you get a chance to read it.
Congratulations to Deborah. The book sounds very compelling and poignant. And what a life Deborah has led, sailing around the world! Wow! Deborah, will you write about your excursion?
Thank you for hosting, Laura.
“compelling & poignant” – yes, you’re spot on, L.Marie!
Thank you so much, L. Marie! I hope you’ll get a chance to read it and let me know what you think. I have written about our sailing trip on my blog, and someday I’d like to gather those gather them into a book. I so appreciate your coming here and sharing your thoughts.
How often I have had the urge to pack a few things and set out. I lived in northern California I would do just that on occasion. Sometimes I would have an adventure but most often the trip was interesting, then I came home. Your review leaves me curious for sure.
Ahhh, if indeed my review left you curious and it struck a chord with you, then it fulfilled its purpose! Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Michael.
Yes, setting off on a trip is always exciting, but coming home feels so good too. I hope you will get a change to take a peek at my novel and let me know what you think. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here, Michael.