My Name Is Anton - Catherine Ryan Hyde - ★★★★.¼

AUTHOR: Catherine Ryan Hyde

GENRE: Contemporary Fiction

PUBLICATION DATE: December 1, 2020

RATING: 4.25 stars.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is an author who knows how to write about interpersonal relationships. And she shows that optimally in this book.

The eponymous Anton is an 18 year old when the story begins. He is going through an extremely traumatic period with three intense personal losses within a year and apathetic parents to boot. He happens to chance upon 33 year old Edith who is caught in an abusive marriage. With an instant connection between the two, he decides to help her escape her marital hell. In the process, he discovers his own suppressed mental struggles and begins the healing process. Fifteen years later, Edith is back in Anton's life through another chance encounter. What does destiny have in store for them both this time around?

The book spans a period of 55 years and in that long duration, we get to see some really strong characters. Other than Anton and Edith, Marion the grandmother and Gregory the great uncle will end up leaving their memories in your heart. In spite of its length, it is a very quick read.

The first half of the book pans out slowly and beautifully. Though taking her own sweet pace to move the story ahead, Hyde gives us a fabulous insight into the horrors of repressed mental struggles. The second half of the book is equally slow-paced but somehow, I couldn't connect much with the overtly saccharine picture being drawn. I would have preferred a continuation of the flawed humans idea rather than showing picture perfect adults. Not that it takes away from the story in any way, but there's a marked difference in the change of intensity you feel in the first and second halves of the book. 

Overall though, it is still a wonderful story with a wonderful ending, though not my personal favourite Hyde work. I'd definitely recommend this as a pleasurable read when you want a slow book to savour.

I received an advance review copy of the book from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.