The Caretaker (Rash novel)
| Author | Ron Rash |
|---|---|
| Genre | Fiction |
| Published | 2023 |
The Caretaker is a 2023 novel by Ron Rash.
Plot summary
Jacob Hampton has been disowned by his wealthy parents as a consequence for eloping with Naomi, a hotel maid from out-of-town. After he is drafted into the Korean War, he asks his friend Blackburn Gant to take care of the pregnant Naomi. Blackburn was also abandoned by his family and works as a cemetery caretaker, having been disfigured by polio.
Themes
The novel deals with themes of class differences, Southern honor, rebirth and the passage of time.[1][2]
Reception
The book received positive reviews from critics.[3][4][5] Reviewers praised its depiction of mid-century North Carolina and its nuanced characters.[6][2] Kirkus Reviews wrote that "Rash writes with finesse and affection, as usual, of western North Carolina and its people. But the mood isn't mere nostalgia—there's a flint and an unflinching realism underneath, especially in his portrayal of the stalwart, utterly solid Blackburn Gant".[7] Publishers Weekly praised the book's "lyrically nuanced prose faithfully evokes the Appalachian landscape, and Rash again showcases an ability to dig beneath the surface of his characters to expose their base desires and intentions."[8] The book was also praised by John Caleb Grenn in the Mississippi Clarion Ledger.[9]
References
- ^ "A review of Ron Rash's book, The Caretaker". theplateaumag.com. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ a b Forbes, Malcolm (2023-09-21). "A huge lie tests the friendship of two men who love one woman in Ron Rash's 'The Caretaker'". www.startribune.com. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "Booklist Online: Leading Book Discovery". www.booklistonline.com. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "Shelf Awareness for Readers for Friday, September 29, 2023". www.shelf-awareness.com. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ Yorker, The New (2023-09-25). "Briefly Noted Book Reviews". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "Book Review: Rural Appalachian family's dreams turn dark in new Ron Rash novel, 'The Caretaker'". AP News. 2023-09-25. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ THE CARETAKER | Kirkus Reviews.
- ^ "The Caretaker by Ron Rash". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ Grenn, John Caleb (2023-12-10). "Ron Rash returns with pitch-perfect novel of love during the Korean War". Clarion-Ledger. pp. B3. Retrieved 2025-05-18.