Andrew Harrison is an archetypical Boston guy. Now twenty-four, he was an ice hockey star in high school and college. But those star days are gone. He's now playing in a farm league and holding on by the skin of his teeth as every year brings more guys now faster and bigger as Andrew, or H as he's called, is nicked by past injuries. His baby daughter, Jo, is one of the best things in his life but he's driving Uber to bring in money for the flexibility to travel with the team and go to practices. He and Jo's mother live together but haven't married and she doesn't seem to be into the baby at all. Or is it that she's not into H any more?
Then there's Uncle Billy. When H was growing up, Uncle Billy was the guy who showed up for every one of his games and taught him all he knew about the game. But now he's the family alcoholic and he thinks H should redeem the family honor. A decade ago, H's sister was assaulted at a rich kid's party and spiraled into drugs. The guy who led the assault has been in prison but has now been released after serving his time. Billy thinks H should rain down more retribution and he brings him a gun to do it with.
This is a debut novel for Christopher Amenta who is also a Boston guy. I really liked the character of H who keeps up getting up when life keeps knocking him down. His love for his girlfriend and his baby are endearing and he just keeps moving on as best he can. The sense of place was spot on and Amenta captured perfectly the life of a man who has passed his glory days of athletic strength but who just can't let it go. I'll definitely be looking out for Amenta's next novel. This book is recommended for literary fiction readers.
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