This novel is set in a possible not-too-distant future when society’s disparities are more exaggerated than the present day—but not by much. The uber-wealthy live in their own bubbles while the rest get by as they can, with fewer and fewer resources. Criminal organizations use slave-like labor to manufacture drugs offshore. In a small town on the north shore of Lake Superior, the beloved seller of used books is at the heart of the community.
Then tragedy strikes and the story becomes an exploration of the roles trust and fear play in individuals and in society. In this tough story of resilience, Enger exquisitely balances horror and beauty, grief and hope, playfulness and seriousness.
And the writing is gorgeous! Not overwritten or stilted, descriptions are creative and lyrical. With bits of surprising humor and connections between colorful characters amidst the hardship and violence. The clever chapter titles enhance the storytelling.
I started reading the print edition and switched to audio so I could continue during a long, tedious refinishing project. I returned to the book and reread parts in order to truly savor the language. Even the title – I Cheerfully Refuse – gives a sense of the tone of the novel: Saying no, I reject the situation but without rancor, cheerfully.
Liza Bernard is a voracious reader who enjoys both printed volumes and audiobooks. Formerly co-owner of the Norwich Bookstore, she maintains her connections with readers and writers as the Programming and Marketing Librarian at the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, Vermont.