51 pages • 1 hour read
Alice McDermottAbsolution
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Absolution by Alice McDermott, elderly Tricia reflects on her experiences as a young military wife in Saigon during the Vietnam War. Through her friendship with the ambitious and compassionate Charlene, Tricia becomes involved in numerous charitable activities amid a backdrop of political unrest and personal struggles with motherhood. Contains depictions of sexism, racism, wartime violence, and discussions of miscarriage and infant loss.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Alice McDermott’s Absolution is acclaimed for its poignant exploration of human frailty and moral complexities. Readers praise its evocative prose and well-developed characters. However, some critique its slow pacing. Overall, the book is lauded for its reflective depth, though it may not satisfy those seeking a fast-moving plot.
Who Should Read Absolution?
A reader who enjoys exploring profound themes of morality, redemption, and forgiveness in literary fiction would be captivated by Alice McDermott’s Absolution. Fans of Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead and Kent Haruf’s Plainsong would find similar emotional depth and character-driven storytelling.