As Good As Gone

This excellent family drama from Watson (Let Him Go) centers on Calvin Sidey and his second chance to be a part of his family. Decades ago, Calvin abandoned his son and daughter when his beloved wife, Pauline, died while visiting her native France. Since then, he’s lived in the scrublands of Montana, doing the occasional odd job and reading his father’s copy of Catullus. But in the heat of 1963’s summer, his son, David, has come calling, asking Calvin to watch over David’s children while David takes his wife, Marjorie, to Missoula for an operation. Calvin’s granddaughter, Ann, is 17, but she has a steady job and therefore can’t keep an eye on Calvin’s grandson, 11-year-old Will. Calvin receives unlooked-for support and physical comfort from Beverly Lodge, a neighbor, but even she can see that he “is always ready to run, and it doesn’t take much to set him in motion.” The challenges of his family may redeem Calvin or break him for good. This is a very well done novel in which every character faces an individual conflict, resulting in a rich, suspenseful read. Agent: PJ Mark, Janklow & Nesbit Associates. (June)