The Roadmap of Loss

There are many things to enjoy about Liam Murphy’s debut novel about a troubled man, Mark Ward, who retraces his estranged father, Dylan’s, journey across America. The writing style is accomplished; the settings and locations reflect the main character’s mood as he learns more and more about a man he has hated and yearned for, his entire life. The spacing of the letters, for Mark and the reader, is a clever device to appreciate both the father’s emotional journey as well as his son’s, twenty years later. A multitude of transient characters add colour and depth to the story. Ultimately, this is a journey with the power to release Mark from his demons, if he can let go of his anger and find peace and forgiveness.

Review by Diane Clarke