I received a free copy o this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A family must overcome societal challenges and make new changes in their lives in author David B. Seaburn’s “Until It Was Gone”.
The Synopsis
When, at the end of their fortieth anniversary dinner, Laney announces she’s leaving Franklin, he’s stunned and asks if she ever loved him, to which she answers, “Yes, until it was gone.”
Laney leaves for the Oklahoma panhandle in search of Roz, their estranged daughter, who left home at sixteen, and the nineteen-year-old granddaughter, Maggie, Laney has never met.
Shortly after she leaves, Franklin contracts COVID which morphs into long COVID. His episodes of fogginess and disorientation awaken memories of abuse at the hands of his father. His sister comes to take care of him, but she needs to return home soon for the sentencing of a mass murderer who killed her husband.
If that weren’t enough, Maggie becomes pregnant and, due to medical complications, needs an abortion, but she lives in a state where it’s outlawed. What will she do? Where will she go? Will the family find the resilience to come together for everyone’s sake?
Until It Was Gone tells of a family trying to make life work while being pummeled by the exigencies of contemporary society. It celebrates the thin strands of hope that hold us together and move us forward.
The Review
Immediately the author found that perfect balance of realism and hope within this narrative. The realistic emotions and troubles that this cast of characters faces throughout the story, from the complexities of marriage and relationships to more profound themes surrounding abortion and abuse, allow the author to explore how these topics impact a person and a family in our modern world. The setting of the COVID pandemic and studying the health concerns so many people were affected by during this period brought a relatability to the story many readers could attest to.
The character dynamics and how everyone connects made this story feel so compelling. What stood out was how all these characters felt so relatable and vibrant on the page, and despite their various flaws or struggles, they kept the reader engaged throughout the book. The journey for Laney to find her independence and reunite with her daughter and granddaughter was inspiring. At the same time, the shock of loss Franklin felt, the health struggles, and the recovered memories all brought a closer look at the hardships and benefits of self-reflection and growth, as well as the importance of family and powerful bonds in our lives.
The Verdict
Moving, compelling, and engaging, author David B. Seaburn’s “Until It Was Gone” is a must-read drama meets genre fiction novel. The evenly paced and emotional journey of these characters, the realism of the evolving story, and the equally realistic ending speak to the intricacies of life and the vastly different lives we each live within our own families. If you haven’t yet, preorder your copy today or grab your copy on December 12th, 2024!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
David B. Seaburn’s most recent novel is Give Me Shelter (italics) (2022). His tenth novel, Until It Was Gone (italics), will be released by Black Rose Writing in December 2024.
Prior to that he was an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center for almost twenty years (1986-2005). During his tenure there, he taught in a Family Medicine Residency Program, practiced Medical Family Therapy and was the Director of a Family Therapy Training Program.
In addition to this, David is an ordained Presbyterian minister, having graduated from seminary (Boston University) in 1975. He served a church full-time from 1975-1981 before entering the mental health field permanently.
His educational background includes two master’s degrees and a PhD.
From 2013 to 2020, David Seaburn wrote a blog for Psychology Today magazine called, “Going Out Not Knowing.” In this blog he talks about the uncertainty and wonder at the heart of life (and at the heart of writing, as well).
Common to all of David’s work is a commitment to the well-being of others, which often means active involvement in efforts to undestand and change their life stories.
David is married and has two married daughters, three adorable granddaughters and two wonderful grandsons.
