A Good and Happy Child (Justin Evans)

On the way back home from Utah, I read another book. This one was called A Good and Happy Child, written by Justin Evans.

The book is told in "notebooks" by a thirty-something named George. He has just begun seeing a therapist because his wife is frustrated with the fact that George will not touch or take care of their newborn son. Through these notebooks, he remembers things about his childhood he'd nearly forgotten, including what was thought to be a case of demonic possession.

The book keeps you turning the pages, wanting to find out about George's "Friend" and his father's untimely death and all the other elements that Evans spins around you in the novel. It's immensely gripping and I had to make myself put it down to go to bed during vacation and put the bookmark in it to leave the van at rest stops. The character development was great. The modern-day George is bitter and unhappy and the child George is confused, curious and enthralled with the mysteries he is finding all around him.

I would give this book 8 out of 10 stars. There were parts toward the end where the narrative had me confused. But mostly, the story was thick and enthralling. I'd reread it again just to pick up on extra details I missed the first time around.