Review of The Gunners by Rebecca Kaufman

Kauffman's story about childhood friends brought together by a tragedy in their circle inspires each of them to consider the past, their secrets, and their bonds to each other.

Kauffman deftly shapes what could have been a treacly story about old friends reliving the past and coming back together after many years, inspired to be together by a tragedy in their group. As we witness memories from childhood and adulthood, each character considers how they might have remained more connected to each other or helped to avert their loss.

Some of main protagonist Mikey's revelations and growth aren't completely satisfying, but the tone and his slow change rang true. The scene late in the book with Corinne was heartwrenching but clumsy and unfinished and felt just right.

There were a few small moments that felt too easy and therefore took me out of the story. One example that stood out: the friends' falling asleep in each others' arms at the lake house, which was mentioned multiple times but which felt like a cheesy movie element that didn't ring true. It's a minor thing, but in any case, it was impossible to imagine that the very-much-set-in-their-ways Mikey and Alice would have been comfortable with the situation, even if passed out. (Mikey had mentioned it had been so long since anyone had even touched him before this weekend, and doesn't Alice say in the motel room that she can't sleep with someone touching her?) If Mikey were internally analyzing or immensely treasuring the situation while acting as though it were normal, or if he were otherwise showing us how desperately he seeks human connection, the moment wouldn't have stopped me so abruptly.

I also felt that the meat processing scene went on for longer than felt necessary to make Kauffman's point.

But nitpicks aside, in this story about facing the past, forgiveness, and revisiting how shaped we can be by our youth and youthful connections, Kauffman weaves in some minor mystery, self-actualization, messy steps forward and backward in relationships, and a bit of funny dialogue to make this story immensely appealing and satisfying without feeling pat.

More Rebecca Kauffman Books

Kauffman is also the author of Another Place You've Never Been, I'll Come to You, The Reservation, and other books.