"The Bright Years" | Reviewed by Chris Stuckenschneider

The anguish of alcoholism permeates “The Bright Years,” a strong, realistic debut for author Sarah Damoff. Using characters certain to elicit empathy, Damoff relates the trickle-down effects that drinking causes in a novel heavy with emotion.

The story moves around in time, beginning in 1979 when Lillian and Ryan have their first date, after Ryan first sees her in the bank where she works. Lillian has a history of falling fast and Ryan has quite the appeal, a handsome artist eager to open an art gallery. Ryan’s feelings for Lillian intensify as hers do and the couple marries.

In flashbacks, readers learn Ryan has had a hellish childhood. His father was a powder keg alcoholic who regularly attacked Elise, his wife, as Ryan hid in fear. His parents divorced but Ryan continued to have a loving relationship with Elise, who plays a major role in Ryan and Lillian’s lives.

The future looks bright for the Lillian and Ryan. He opens his studio and his days are consumed with painting and getting the business up and running, but the tiger of alcoholism slumbers in Ryan until Lillian finally shares a secret with him after the birth of their little girl Jet. Lillian tells Ryan she had a baby before they met, a son she gave up for adoption. Though anything could have tipped the scale, this news sends Ryan straight to the bottle.

Ryan hides his morning swigs from Lillian, and drinks far more than she realizes. When Jet is just a toddler an outburst sends a beer bottle careening toward Lilian’s face, smashing on the wall and sending shards airborne peppering Lillian. With that, Ryan leaves his wife and daughter without even an attempt to rectify the damage. Afraid he will hurt them, Ryan parents from afar, supporting Jet financially, but not emotionally, for years after, the couple never divorcing.

Devasted by Ryan’s refusal to even discuss what’s happened, Lillian gets a job and forms a close relationship with Elise, also heartbroken by her son’s disease. Lillian also forms a solid friendship with Shauna, a single mom with a son named Kendi, who becomes Jet’s bestie. The women and their children become the family that Lillian hoped to have in her marriage.

The second part of the novel is narrated by Jet and the third by Ryan. These vastly different perspectives make “The Bright Years” a standout, an immersive book that allows readers to dig deep into psyches of each individual in a family devasted by a disease that’s so often denied, misunderstood, and shrouded in shame.

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