Title: These Things Happen
Author: Michael Eon
Publisher: Girl Friday Books
ISBN: 978-1-959411-17-8
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 267
Reviewed by: Allison Walker
Pacific Book Review
Michael Eon’s novel, These Things Happen, takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster through the gritty streets of 1970s Brooklyn, a turbulent backdrop for the tumultuous life of protagonist Daniel Zimmer. Unafraid to wrangle with emotional themes, including addition and suicide, Eon weaves together the threat of self-destruction and the quest for redemption into a powerful and unforgettable story.
Daniel and his brother, Max, are coming of age in 1970s Brooklyn, an era marked by such historical events as the Son of Sam murders and Karen Ann Quinn tragedy. In this atmosphere of external upheaval, the boys fight against their own struggles closer to home, including an overbearing and tyrannical father. Like many teens in 1970s, they find comfort and camaraderie in the emerging punk and metal scenes of the time. Yet when the family suffers an unexpected tragedy, not even the Ramones or Judas Priest can save him, and Daniel finds himself slipping into alcoholism.
By alternating between past and present, Eon creates a layered and nuanced narrative of Daniel’s life. It’s as if Eon is reminding his readers our past is inextricably linked to our present. Daniel struggles against the invisible wounds of a traumatic childhood, carrying his past hurts into his present, but ultimately causing himself only more pain. Central to Daniel’s evolution in adulthood is the theme of addiction. Without even noticing it, Daniel is quickly entrapped by the effortless balm alcohol can provide, albeit temporarily. Just as he begins the uphill climb to sobriety, Max attempts suicide and Daniel falls back into the bottle. Eon’s unflinching account helps readers gain a deeper understanding of the destructive cycle of addiction and the formidable challenge of recovery.
The characters of These Things Happen are fascinating in their multifaceted personalities and in the interconnectedness of all their lives. These Things Happen reminds readers that every person is grappling with their own demons and vulnerabilities. Yet, we cannot help but affect all of the other people we interact with.
At its core, These Things Happen is a story of resilience and redemption. Daniel’s fight first against the perceived abuses of childhood and then, as a grown man, against his own capacity for self-destruction are portrayed with a raw honesty and also with a glimmer of hope.
These Things Happen is a visceral and emotionally-charged novel which takes on the many complexities of family, addiction, and self-discovery. Eon’s refusal to shy away from traumatic themes make his novel both remarkable and refreshing. After all, these things happen. It’s what we do with them and with ourselves that really matters in the long run.
