Who Would Like This Book:
If you're a fan of literary fiction that digs deep into the emotional aftermath of war, this novel is for you. The writing is spare yet beautifully evocative, drawing on Elliot Ackerman’s own military background to create an authentic, heart-wrenching story. The narrative voice - told through the perspective of a deceased friend - offers a unique, ghostly vantage point that’s as original as it is impactful. If you appreciate thought-provoking books that explore love, grief, and what it truly means to be alive, 'Waiting for Eden' will stay with you long after you finish.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers might be put off by the unresolved ending and sparse plot, which can leave you wanting more closure or a fuller story arc. The pacing is pretty minimalist, and the sense of magical realism - while powerful for some - might not work for those who prefer straightforward realism. This isn’t a book with easy answers or a big, dramatic payoff; it’s reflective and at times, intentionally unsettling.
About:
Elliot Ackerman's 'Waiting for Eden' is a poignant exploration of love, guilt, and the complexities of human relationships. The story follows Mary, a devoted wife who embarks on a heart-wrenching vigil for her severely injured husband, Eden. As Eden lies in a hospital bed, barely clinging to life, Mary grapples with conflicting emotions of love and guilt, ultimately becoming intertwined with her husband's fate. The narrative delves into themes of life, death, and the blurred lines in between, questioning the essence of being alive and the profound impact of human connections.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include graphic depictions of war injuries, trauma, and themes of death and grief.
From The Publisher:
"Patiently, and unflinchingly, Ackerman is becoming one of the great poet laureates of America's tragic adventurism across the globe." -Pico Iyer
Eden lies in a hospital bed, unable to move or speak. His wife Mary spends every day on the sofa in his room. We see them through the eyes of Eden's best friend, a fellow Marine who didn't make it back home-and who must relive the secrets held between all three of them as he waits for Eden to finally, mercifully die and join him in whatever comes after.
A breathtakingly spare and shattering novel that explores the unseen aftereffects-and unacknowledged casualties-of war, Waiting for Eden is a piercingly insightful, deeply felt meditation on loyalty, friendship, betrayal, and love.
"The Tim O'Brien of our era." - Vogue
"Devastating." - The Wall Street Journal
"Haunting. . . . Daring." - The Boston Globe
"Heart-wrenching." -NPR
Ratings (1)
Loved It (1) |
Reader Stats (3):
Read It (1) | |
Want To Read (2) |
What can you read after
Waiting for Eden?
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
