March 17, 2024
Lindsey's Literary Leanings: a review
ยท
Enlightening, Comprehensive, Complex
Genres: Contemporary Fiction/Spiritual
'Kennedy's Goodbye' by Kati Rose - author
Kennedy is the youngest of an Irish/American Family. Her family or, her parents at least, are devout Catholics. Likewise her schooling is of the same persuasion. From a younger age, her daily life has encompassed curiosity and hyper-conciousness of her actions translating as a committal of one the seven deadly sins, or flouting.any of the Ten Commandments. After an older sibling she is close to moves away, she finds herself in a house of people who, whilst they are relatives, she has no idea of how to relate to any of them, and while she has a spell of forming more of a bond with her father, that abruptly comes to an end when the family receives shocking news. As Kennedy gets older, and with each re-occurence of the thing that changes her perspective, she begins to question her faith and how contradictory the demands of religion are, when faced with everyday realities and tempting distractions, not to mention how God could allow such a prolonged period of sporadic unsettling devastation to infiltrate such a fragile group of souls.
This genre of book was a new one for me. I usually avoid anything that remotely touches on religious matters. However, the title piqued my curiosity, and when it became clear that this was a somewhat light-heated and humorous look at what could easily be, and probably has been reality for many, I began to ease into it. The writing seems a little chaotic, but that seems to be in-keeping with a child's thoughts; confused and attempting to navigate her way to getting what she believes she wants, that seem so opposed to the restrictions that her faith imposes on her. Kennedy seemingly has a Bible quote, a Commandment or a sin that she can recite for every situation or predicament that she believes puts her in questionable territory, and as she moves forward in life, she refers back to these experiences that made an impression on her, reflecting on past issues and comparing them to the present.. she recalls people from her past by remembering something about them, a feeling or an action and seems to take away something from each of these experiences. Particularly those individuals who have in some way expressed a fondness for her. She is pulled in different directions and influenced by each acquaintance and friend, and has to keep referring to her own moral compass for guidance, which is tested constantly through infatuation, betrayal and wondering why she continues to feel that she should be upholding her own virtuousness, when all around her is evidence to the contrary. Her attempt at reconciling these two narratives is humorous for those who haven't had a particularly religious up-bringing, along with the name that she creates for her somewhat estranged mother, her comprehension of her mother's time in hospital, the kidnapping of a special present at the hands of her infant niece (sin baby) and the advice given to her from Rog prior to her first Holy Communion, 'Duck when the Bishop swings'!
The end result appears to be a very thoughtful young woman, whilst she respects her parent's beliefs and the exposure to events during her childhood that she would not have had, had it not have been for her God-fearing upbringing, she realises that she must lead her own life and if required, reap the consequences. Her final reflection on a time before any of that mattered is somewhat heart-breaking.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It has also taught me a few things of which I wasn't previously aware, and led to discussions with my partner that I never considered we'd have. As pretty much with every read, I would welcome a sequel. Kennedy is a very likeable character, as are all the characters that take an active part (except for maybe one) in this enquiring, thoughtful girl's journey of self-discovery.
Kati Roseโs wise-cracking narrator in Kennedyโs Goodbye is absolutely irresistible, as she grapples with the contradictions and mixed messages of her staunchly Catholic upbringing. Funny, wise, entertaining, and heartbreaking, the novel is filled with memorable characters, moral dilemmas, and the full-throttle exuberance of youth.
โHelen Fremont, author of the national bestseller After Long Silence and The Escape Artist
Kati Rose writes with wit, candor and endearing intimacy. Her Kennedyโs Goodbye is replete with the heartache and hope of growing up in a culture awash in confusion.
โDavid Ritz, author: Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin
Kati Rose grabs your gut from the get-go with her quick, fresh prose and a simply complex protagonist youโll root for in this compelling, coming-of-age, debut novel.
โLaurie Graff, author: You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs, The Shiksa Syndrome
Kati Roseโs Kennedy takes readers on a hilarious, heartbreaking, and deeply reflective ride through the confusing days of the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood. Kennedyโs funny, sarcastic, and poignant voice guides readers through her coming of age as a confused Catholic and avowed rock fan. This book will take you back!โ
โPaul Young, Associate Professor, Georgetown University, author: Seducing the Eighteenth-Century French Reader
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On the surface, a page-turning, coming-of-age narrative packed with all the heartache, loss, confusion, and rebellion youโd expect from a quirky young character grounded in her roots.
For the mindful reader, a deeply metaphorical account of a complex character who grows up too soon, playing tug of war with lifeโs paradoxes - lying as a vehicle for both protection and control, silence and its equal parts passivity and acknowledgement, loyalty and abandonment, and all the threads of awareness and oblivion that keep it all loosely stitched.
Kennedyโs longing for hope and validation is heartbreaking, though her determination is admirable - she is truly a soldier trying not to kill her own troops. While some may balk at the use of profanity throughout, I see it as a clever and strategic literary device - one that shows Kennedyโs obvious pivots - the yin to the yang of the extremity of innocence, but also the turning point of attitude, maturation, recklessness, and honest, filter-less expression.
Debut author Kati Rose does a beautiful job breaking up the heartbreak with a more distractive and playful unfolding into adolescence - nailing all the subtleties of rejection and confusion amidst coming of age. The classic rock allusions hit all the right nostalgia pressure points, playfully putting you in the era without clinging to it.
The novel comes equipped with many full circle moments, as Kennedy consistently faces masking truth with lies of omission in a very torn, yet hopeful and good hearted way, with an underlying doubt that haunts - as if it were a last ditch effort to save herself and everyone around her - a Hail Mary if you will. โLoveโ and โhopeโ are other weighty themes that Kati navigates so artfully, as well as approaching sexuality in a conservative landscape.
I have high praise for this debut novel - rich with its visceral imagery, clever symbolism, nuanced parallels, and left of center literary devices that give it a unique voice that would be hard to rival. Refreshing to say the least!
Ethan Rose Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2022
I received my copy of this book and couldn't put it down. Superior writing and so captivating you want to read more.
Maureen V Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2022
A highly recommended coming of age story
This book felt like I was listening to an old friend, or an old version of my innocence. The authorโs voice is unique and witty. I wouldnโt recommend reading this before bedtime, because I kept staying up late into the night with such ease while reading this, getting lost in Kennedyโs psyche.
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2022
Kennedy's Goodbye is the best book I've read in a long time. I couldn't put in down! The characters and writing was amazing. If you grew up in the 70s and 80s, it is must read! Kati, I look forward to more!
Tammy C. Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2022
Highly recommend reading this book!
This book was great, I couldnโt put it down until I finished reading it. I look forward to more books by this author Kati Rose. It inspired introspection and conversations with friends and family.
Kathi Giuliano Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2022
A beautifully written novel filled with so many emotions!
Loved this book! Full of humor, honesty, heartache, and hopefulness. Very relatable too!
Kathy C. Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2022
Beautiful coming of age story about the challenges that having faith brings. So real, honest and relatable. READ IT! And then read it again.
Julie Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2022
Intriguing characters and a strong story line made this hard to put down. My favorite parts were โSecret Santaโ and Chapter 33.
My only criticism is personal. I felt the flow of the story was slowed down by the excessive amount of profanity and obscenity.
Rosemary J Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2022
Everything about this book keeps you wanting more! Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down!
beans Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2022