A Small Memory

 

A Small Memory by Robert Dyer
8/11/26; 304 pages
Atmosphere Press 

A Small Memory by Robert Dyer is a very highly recommended coming-of-age novel about friendship, forgiveness, memories, and recovery from trauma. This is an exceptionally well-written novel that captures a moment in time that completely changes two lives.

In 1975, Mike Youngstown is eighteen, fresh out of high school, and headed to Appleton College in Morrison Ohio for classes and to play basketball. His best friend Ted Dirksen who is older than him and already attending college, has a great offer for Mike. Ted's roommate is leaving and Mike can take his place as a counselor at the group home for developmentally disabled adult men. They get room, board and a small salary while teaching the men, Stuart, Mark, Paul, John, Kevin, and Henry, the basic skills to live on their own. They all have jobs during the day and go home on the weekends. 

After several incidents involving Henry, one where Mike had to pull him off Ted, he is replaced by Ray. It is immediately clear that Ray doesn't get along with the other residents and has a violent temper which is demonstrated when he threatens Ted with a screw driver and Mike had to restrain him. The Hope Agency Executive Director, Brad Douglas dismisses their concerns. Then Mike returns home one weekend night and finds Ted seriously injured and Ray, who does not go home on weekends, is gone, along with Ted's car. Ted is left in a coma. 

Ted's injury and gradual recovery marks the start of an emotionally charged, nuanced, thoughtful and insightful examination of friendship, forgiveness, memories, and blame. Their easy, well established friendship is displayed early in the novel, so we know what Mike has lost. He is there for Ted and his parents as the long road to recovery begins. Mike is at the hospital daily and blames himself for Ted's attack. He is sure he could have stopped it if he was there and carries the huge burden of guilt that grows and even threatens his relationship with his long time girlfriend, Karen.

The unreserved honesty of Mike's psychological state is clearly and honestly portrayed as he realizes he has lost the previously comfortable ease of his friendship with Ted. He also needs to undertake the enormous task of forgiving himself, along with others. With the change of Ted, their previous relationship has died, so he is in mourning for what was, even as he works toward a new relationship and friendship with Ted as he slowly recovers. He also needs to heal his relationship with Karen, which he set aside after Ted's injury.

What makes this an especially poignant narrative is the youth and future potential of these two young men who are portrayed as realistic characters. Mike is only eighteen when this happened and not yet fully matured. Ted's loss of capacity marks a sudden propulsion into maturity and an increase of responsibility for Mike. At the same time, Mike is continually struggling with blaming himself/forgiving himself while still trying to do his best. This reads like a real life experience. 

A Small Memory is an excellent choice for those who appreciate coming-of-age stories depicting life-changing events. Thanks to Atmosphere Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.