Certainly! “The Long Ago” by Michael McGarrity is a gripping novel that explores broken lives, family bonds, and the search for happiness. Here’s a concise summary:
- Overview:
- Raymond and Barbara Lansdale, siblings growing up in Montana, share a chaotic home life.
- Their childhood fantasy is “The Long Ago,” a distant place where happiness and tranquility reign.
- To escape his painful past, Ray joins the army, finding purpose and adventure.
- When news of his kid sister’s disappearance reaches him, Ray returns home from Vietnam on leave.
- Determined to find Barbara despite a fruitless police investigation, Ray embarks on a relentless search.
Main Characters
In Michael McGarrity’s novel “The Long Ago,” the main characters are:
- Raymond Lansdale:
- A Vietnam War veteran who returns home to Montana.
- Escaped his painful memories by joining the army, finding purpose and adventure.
- Driven by the sudden disappearance of his kid sister, Barbara.
- Barbara Lansdale:
- Ray’s younger sister.
- Shared a chaotic home life with Ray.
- Her search for “The Long Ago” becomes central to the plot.
- Ray’s relentless quest to find her forms the heart of the story.
Plot
Certainly! “The Long Ago” by Michael McGarrity is a gripping novel set in the early 1960s. Let me provide you with a concise plot summary:
- Raymond Lansdale returns home from Vietnam to his Montana hometown.
- Growing up, Raymond and his sister Barbara held their chaotic world together through their shared childhood fantasy of “The Long Ago,” a distant place where happiness and tranquility reigned.
- To escape his painful memories, Raymond joined the army, finding purpose and adventure.
- News of Barbara’s sudden disappearance brings Raymond back home during a short leave before returning to active duty and another deployment to Vietnam.
- Determined to find Barbara despite a police investigation that has led nowhere, Raymond embarks on a relentless search.
- His quest takes him from the majestic Montana ranchlands and glittering Hollywood to the mean streets of L.A. and beyond.
- As time dwindles, Raymond confronts his worst nightmare: What if Barbara’s search for “The Long Ago” ended in a shallow, unmarked grave, not the carefree life she’d once imagined
Setting the setting plays a significant role in shaping the story. Let’s explore it:
- Montana:
- The novel is primarily set in the majestic Montana ranchlands.
- Growing up in Montana, siblings Raymond and Barbara Lansdale held their chaotic world together through their shared childhood fantasy of “The Long Ago.”
- Montana serves as the backdrop for their memories, dreams, and the search for happiness.
- Hollywood:
- The glittering allure of Hollywood contrasts with the Lansdale siblings’ rural upbringing.
- Hollywood represents a world of glamour, dreams, and escape from their dysfunctional home life.
- Los Angeles (L.A.):
- Ray’s relentless search for Barbara takes him to the mean streets of L.A.
- The city becomes a gritty, contrasting setting where he confronts his worst nightmare.
Overall, the novel weaves together these diverse settings, reflecting both the characters’ internal struggles and the external challenges they face. “The Long Ago” is a richly crafted and enthralling story of grit, determination, and the enduring, restorative strength of love
Themes
Explore
Certainly! “The Long Ago” by Michael McGarrity is a stand-alone novel set in the early years of the Vietnam War. The story revolves around a brother’s search for his missing sister. Here are the key themes:
- Family Bonds:
- Despite their dysfunctional upbringing, siblings Raymond and Barbara Lansdale share a strong bond.
- Their chaotic world is held together by their shared childhood fantasy of “The Long Ago,” a place where happiness and tranquility reigned.
- The novel explores how family connections endure even in challenging circumstances.
- Endurance and Determination:
- Raymond’s relentless search for Barbara becomes central to the plot.
- His commitment to finding her reflects unwavering determination.
- The novel portrays the resilience needed to overcome adversity.
- Restorative Strength of Love:
- The enduring bond between Raymond and Barbara sustains his quest.
- Love serves as a powerful force, motivating him to confront his worst fears.
- The novel highlights how love can heal and restore even in the face of tragedy.
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Conclusion
- As time dwindles, Ray confronts his worst nightmare: What if Barbara’s search for “The Long Ago” ended tragically?The novel weaves together grit, determination, and the power of love.
